Levi, The Tax-collector Invited Jesus To His Home

Luke 5:29-32 And Levi made a great feast in his own house for Him. And there was a great company of tax-collectors and of others who were reclining with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against His disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners? And Jesus answered and said to them, Those who are sound do not need a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.

Levi, the tax-collector, invited Jesus to his home along with many of his friends. Jesus spent His time with the people who needed the most mercy and forgiveness. He preached repentance to all who were in need of healing, be it physical or spiritual. And the crowds followed Him constantly, wanting to be healed, released from demon possession and just to hear Him teach. They kept saying “He teaches with such authority”.

The scribes and Pharisees talked about how it was so wrong for Jesus and His disciples to eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners. But the Pharisees and scribes were not the reason that He came. Jesus came to feed the hungry, heal the sick, drive out demons and to call His people to repentance and salvation. He spent His time with the poor, with fishermen, prostitutes, tax collectors and such. The Pharisees felt that they were to righteous to be even near these people. But Jesus loved them just as He loves us.

Father, we thank You for the precious gift of Your Son who came to save us from our sins and to offer us eternal life with You in Your heavenly Kingdom. We pray that all will answer the call of Jesus and become our brothers and sisters in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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