What Happened When Jesus Called Levi? A New Path

The story of Jesus calling Levi, also known as Matthew, is a pivotal moment in the New Testament, marking a significant turning point in the life of one of Jesus’ most devoted followers. Levi, a tax collector by profession, was not exactly the kind of person you would expect to become a close disciple of Jesus. Tax collectors were often viewed with suspicion and disdain by the Jewish community, seen as collaborators with the Roman occupation and corrupt exploiters of their own people. Yet, it was precisely this unlikely candidate that Jesus chose to call, illustrating the boundless mercy and the unconventional nature of His ministry.

The Encounter

The encounter between Jesus and Levi is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, as well as in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, though with slight variations in detail. According to Matthew 9:9-13, Jesus saw Levi sitting at the tax collector’s booth and said to him, “Follow me.” Levi, without hesitation, got up, left everything behind, and followed Jesus. This instantaneous response to Jesus’ call suggests a profound inner transformation, as if Levi had been waiting for a signal to leave his old life behind.

Mark 2:13-14 and Luke 5:27-28 also recount this event, highlighting the public nature of the call and the subsequent feast at Levi’s house, where Jesus and his disciples mingled with tax collectors and sinners. This act of dining with outcasts further emphasized Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost, challenging the societal norms of purity and exclusivity.

A New Path

Levi’s decision to follow Jesus marked the beginning of a new path, one that would lead him from a life of probable isolation and contempt to one of purpose, belonging, and spiritual fulfillment. As a tax collector, Levi was likely accustomed to being an outsider among his own people, viewed with distrust due to his profession. Jesus’ call not only offered him redemption but also a community where he would be valued and loved.

This new path was not without its challenges. Levi, now known as Matthew, would soon find himself part of a group of disciples whose teachings and actions would stir controversy and attract persecution. Yet, his commitment to Jesus remained unwavering, a testament to the profound impact of their encounter.

Leaving the Past Behind

The act of Levi leaving his tax collector’s booth to follow Jesus is symbolic of the kind of transformation that Jesus’ ministry embodied. It was a call to leave the past behind, to abandon the pursuits and identities that had defined one’s life up until that point, and to embark on a journey of faith and service.

For Levi, this meant relinquishing a lucrative profession, likely one that had brought him wealth but also alienation from his community. His response to Jesus’ call indicates a readiness to sacrifice worldly securities for a life of discipleship, a choice that would not only change his personal trajectory but also contribute to the broader narrative of Christianity.

Becoming Matthew

The transformation of Levi into Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the author of the Gospel that bears his name, is a remarkable testament to the power of Jesus’ call. From being a tax collector to becoming an evangelist and a chronicler of Jesus’ life and teachings, Matthew’s journey encapsulates the theme of redemption and the new beginnings that Jesus’ ministry offered to all, regardless of their background or past deeds.

Conclusion

The story of Jesus calling Levi to follow him is a powerful reminder of the inclusive and redemptive nature of Christianity. It highlights the possibility of transformation and the call to a new path that is available to everyone, no matter how unlikely they may seem as candidates for discipleship. Through Levi’s transformation into Matthew, we see the lived example of Jesus’ saying, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32), a message that continues to inspire and challenge believers to this day.