Jesus Calls Levi

Jesus calls us to radical transformation, just as He called Levi, the tax collector, to leave everything behind and follow Him. Levi, later known as Matthew, was a man despised by society, yet Jesus saw past his sin and called him to a new life. This is the heart of the Gospel—Jesus doesn’t seek the self-righteous, but those who know they need Him. When Matthew answered the call, he didn’t hesitate; he abandoned his wealth, his position, and his past to walk with Christ. What about us? Are we willing to surrender everything that holds us back and follow Jesus completely?

Following Jesus isn’t about maintaining comfort—it’s about transformation. When Matthew embraced his calling, his first response was to invite others to meet Jesus. He hosted a feast, gathering the outcasts and sinners, showing us that the call to Christ is also a call to share His love. But the Pharisees scoffed, missing the heart of Jesus' mission: He came not for the well, but for the sick; not for the righteous, but for sinners. So today, the question remains—are we clinging to our own righteousness, or are we humbling ourselves before the Savior? Will we let go of what holds us back and step into the life-changing grace of Jesus Christ?