Jesus Chooses Levi | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the Good News Translation.

Jesus Chooses Levi

(From Luke 5:27-32)

Forest Road in the Fall by Valiphotos at Pixabay

1. Summary

After healing the paralytic, Jesus went to Levi's place of work and said, "Follow Me."

And Levi did. Immediately.

Levi, probably because he was thankful and wanted to celebrate, threw Jesus an enormous feast. Among the diners were Levi's friends - also tax collectors. The Pharisees and scribes question Jesus and His disciples about eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus answered, "A healthy person doesn't need a doctor, a sick person does. Likewise, a righteous person doesn't need repentance, a sinner does."

2. N/W/L Statements

1. I NOTICED that:
1. Levi is called Levi here instead of Matthew.
2. The Pharisees and scribes saw the feast, but clearly didn't join.
2. I WONDER if:
1. The disciples were hesitant to join the feast.
2. The invited guests repented. Did they start following Jesus?
3. I think God wants us to LEARN that:
1. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, to help us find our way. 
2. Those who already think they are righteous through their own works, don't understand their need for Jesus.

3. Key Verse

And he left all, rose up, and followed him. Luke 5:28 KJV

I love the simplicity of Levi's decision. Jesus asked; Levi responded. It reminds me of how easily Peter and the other fishermen decided also. Likely, Levi already contemplated following Jesus which made the choice easier for him. How many things am I one step away from committing to, but I'm just waiting for the cue to do it?

4. God's Character

1. God's motivation is to correct our motivations toward Him and toward guiding others. (He called Levi into a different life, one of following God closely and teaching others.)
1. This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them. I Timothy 1:15
2. and in his name the message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. Luke 24:47 
3. The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins. II Peter 3:9
2. God knows our hearts. (He knew how Levi would respond.)
1. If any of your people Israel, out of heartfelt sorrow, stretch out their hands in prayer toward this Temple, hear their prayer. Listen to them in your home in heaven, forgive them, and help them. You alone know the thoughts of the human heart. Deal with each person as he deserves, so that your people may obey you all the time they live in the land which you gave to our ancestors. I Kings 8:38-40
2. O Lord, you know what I long for; you hear all my groans. Psalm 38:9
3. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Why do you think such things?" Luke 5:22
3. God goes where He is needed and does not abide by our rules. (He fellowshipped with people who needed Him; the religious people questioned His choice to do so.)
1. "My thoughts," says the LORD, "are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours. Isaiah 55:8-9 
2. At that time Jesus said, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned. Matthew 11:25
3. God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. I Corinthians 1:27 

5. Pray

Father God, You seek us out. You know when we need a nudge to die to ourselves and follow You, and You know how to deliver it. I pray for the people who think they are righteous and do not realize their need for You. I pray that You keep nudging them to turn, and I pray that their hearts are prepared to follow.

6. Act

• Know Your righteousness is found in Christ.
• Lay down Your life and follow Him.
• Join His mission to seek and save the lost; eat with sinners.

7. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.

1. ! "Sitting in his office" (GNT) vs. "Receipt of custom" (KJV)  (Luke 5:27)
2. ? Says that the Pharisees and some teachers of the Law "belonged to their group". Whose group? The disciples' group? Or the tax collectors group? In what way did they belong? (Luke 5:30)

Sample these related resources:

• To browse notes about Matthew being called in his own words.
• To reflect on another feast. 
• To connect ministering to the lost with the concluding poem of Proverbs.
• To consider what happens when we admit we need God.
• To compare God's concerns with ours.

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