Jesus is walking by the customs post and sees Levi (Matthew). To the religious elite, Levi was a Sinner of the worst kind—a public traitor ...
Jesus is walking by the customs post and sees Levi (Matthew). To the religious elite, Levi was a Sinner of the worst kind—a public traitor collecting taxes for the Romans. They saw a cheat; Jesus saw a disciple. This gives us so much hope. Jesus does not define us by our job, our past, or our worst mistakes. He calls Levi, and Levi gets up and follows. The call of grace is for the sinner, not the perfect. If you feel unworthy today, you are exactly the person Jesus is looking for.
When the Pharisees complain that Jesus is eating with tax collectors, Jesus responds with the famous line: "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the Sick do." Jesus identifies Himself as the Divine Physician. But a doctor can only heal a patient who admits they are sick. The Pharisees remained in their spiritual sickness because they refused to admit they needed help. Levi was healed because he knew he was sick and accepted the prescription of following Jesus.
Jesus is the Savior who breaks bread with us. He didn't wait for Levi to clean up his act, go to the temple, and do penance before coming to his house. He went to Levi's house while he was still a sinner. He sanctified the table by His presence. Jesus wants to enter the "house" of your life today—messy as it may be—and dine with you. He is the Savior who seeks intimacy with the outcast.
Challenge: Do not wait until you are "perfect" to approach God. Go to Confession or prayer today acknowledging your sickness, and let the Divine Physician heal you.
No comments