Reading God’s Word: Mark 2:13-17; Psalm 74:1-11

Memorizing God’s Word:  Matthew 28: 19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Meditating on God’s Word:  Mark 2:14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. 

Praying God’s Word:  Jesus, this story was so disturbing to the religious teachers then, but it also is disturbing to us today.  To us: why would Levi (Matthew) just get up, walk away from a very profitable job to simply follow Jesus?  Why did Levi think the other 11 disciples would accept a tax collector into their circle?  To the scribes and the Pharisees: why would a man who claims to be the Son of Man be eating with sinners?  Jesus answers them in Mark 2:17  It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.  Levi later wrote the book of Matthew recording the great commission: Matthew 28:19  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Lord, thank you for providing forgiveness to anyone willing to ask and then follow you.