And He Left All

 The Call of Matthew

  Luke 5: 27-32

²⁷ And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

²⁸ And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

²⁹ And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.

³⁰ But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

³¹ And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

³² I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

With a quick word from Jesus, Levi's career ended,.compelled by Jesus and by his own choice. Something must have been stewing within him for awhile, as appears in the TV series, The Chosen, to make him respond so quickly. To show his joy at his new life, he throws a huge party. What a turn in his life!

What is Jesus asking of us, commanding us to do this Lent?  What is he asking us to lay aside to follow him more closely?   Are as ready as Levi to jump up and follow? St. Matthew, open our ears and move our hearts to respond as you did to the call from Jesus.

Bro. Rene