Key Verse: “Then, passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. While he was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who were following him.” (Mark 2:24-25 CSB)
Who are the people with whom you spend your time? Who would you count as part of your social circle?
One of the points of confusion and frustration for the scribes and Pharisees was the fact that Jesus spent time with tax collectors and other “sinners” of the day. In the case of Levi, Jesus not only invited Levi to follow Him, but He also went to his house and reclined at his table, along with many other tax collectors like Levi.
Why was it such a big deal to the religious leaders? In the first century, tax collectors were a despised bunch. They were known for swindling others and taking advantage of them for personal gain. They made themselves rich through dishonest dealings, lining their pockets with the money of others. With their loyalty to Rome, they were considered traitors by the Jewish people, and were banned from the synagogue. They were a hated group.
Yet, here was Jesus inviting Levi a tax collector to follow Him and then coming as the guest of honour to his home. Rather than rejecting him, Jesus intentionally reached out to him, and to other “sinners” like them. It irritated the religious leaders so much that they went to the disciples of Jesus and questioned them about it. Why was Jesus doing this?
For Jesus, it was all about the mission. “It is not those who are well who need a doctor,” He said, “but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). The very reason why the Father had sent Jesus was to save those who could not save themselves. He had come to rescue and redeem those who were lost and captive to sin. So in order to fulfill His mission, Jesus needed to actually go and be with them.
The same is true for us. To be kingdom leaders who are serious about fulfilling the mission from Jesus, we need to surround ourselves with people who need to hear the good news of Jesus. To reach people you actually need to be with them. This requires stepping outside of our comfort zone and finding the lost, the needy and the rejected. It means intentionally stepping away at times from our “holy huddles” of people just like us, and going to those on the fringes who so desperately need to hear of Jesus.
Are you being intentional in this like Jesus was? Who are you rubbing shoulders with who needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ? Pray today for those in your relational circles who don’t yet know Jesus. If there aren’t any, then step out of your comfort zone and follow Jesus in this mission.
Prayer: Jesus, I want my life to be all about the mission of seeing people find hope, healing and redemption in you. Help me today to be intentional about stepping outside my comfort zone to those on the fringes who need to hear about you. Use me today to share your good news with others. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
