“ After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘ Follow me.’ So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.” (Luke 5: 27 & 28)
In first century Palestine among the Hebrew culture a teacher of the spiritual disciplines would have been called a rabbi. It was a custom of the time for young adolescents to approach a rabbi and inquire about the possibility of becoming a student by asking, “ May I follow you?” The rabbi would either accept the student or suggest he follow a trade.
Is it possible that Matthew had presented himself to a rabbi earlier in his life only to be rejected? When a student presented himself to a rabbi he was asking the question, “ Do I have what it takes to be like you?” It is very possible that Matthew (Levi) was told, “ No you need to find something else to do with your time.” The wounds of rejection are deep and debilitating. Last week we asked. “ How can a Levite with such a rich history get so out of rhythm with God? Could it be that no one believed he had what it took?
This is s sharp contrast to the story we read in the Gospels of how Jesus stopped by the table of a tax collector and looking among the undesirables and rejects of his day finds Matthew (Levi) and extends to him an offer to come and follow.
This is an invitation, which will bring the rebel Matthew (Levi) back into rhythm with the purpose of God. Among the most quoted words in the New Testament are found in Matthew’s Gospel.
“ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28: 19&20)
The great commission is shared through the voice of a man who, though out of step with God, responded to an invitation of The Rabbi and came back into rhythm showing this world a reflection of grace.
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