Wed.’s Devo - Levi Chosen

Read Luke 5:27-32 The next person Jesus encounters is a publican named Levi. Publicans were tax collectors who were usually Jews hired by the Romans to collect taxes. Many of them were extortioners who collected more than they were suppose to for their personal gain. They were hated by their brothers. Levi is not only a tax collector, but a Levite which makes him from the priestly tribe. Levi is also known as Matthew. Levi means “joined” and Matthew means “gift of Jehovah”. Matthew was definitely joined to Jesus and given the gift of salvation that Jesus came to give. He then became a gift back to God. Why Jesus would choose the people he did to be his disciples is the same mystery of why he chooses us. He took a person out of all walks of life and told them to leave everything and follow him. Matthew had riches and favor with the government, but he also had a longing in his heart for something more. He saw ‘something more’ in Jesus. Matthew was so excited to be chosen that he threw a great party and invited all of his other publican friends. The scribes and Pharasees complained about Jesus hanging out with these corrupt people. I think they were secretly jealous that Jesus would chose him over them. Jesus reply to that was, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” It wasn’t that the Pharasees were righteous, it was that they were righteous in their own eyes. Lord, thank you for choosing us in all our unrighteousness to crown us with life.