and he arose and followed him…Mark 2:14

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You may have encountered people like Levi – who was later called Mathew – in your lifetime. People who know fully well that they are not regarded as righteous people due to the nature of their work but maintained their lifestyle with pride. 

People who throw impromptu parties and delight so much in merry. Some of them can pray once in a quarter and their prayers seem so dry and not not making any sense at all. They may pray like this – ‘God, please I know that i am not doing the right thing but this is the only thing which my hands have found doing please provide as I go today’. 

Some of them work in the courts while you may find others at check points collecting money. They make money through intimidation of others and even perversion of justice and are always ready to fight to get it.

Levi may have been so perplexed when Jesus called him because ordinarily, he did not see any good thing which he can do, talk more of following the son of man. Mark 2:13-14~Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 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.

The Scribes and the teachers of the law will not easily follow Jesus as Levi did but what exactly is the reason why Jesus chose Levi? There could be no reasons other than the fact that Levi was a tax collector. Whenever he receives money, he keeps details and probably write down something. By virtue of his work, he developed a skill useful to the kingdom. and could be seen in his expansive work in writing the gospel of Mathew. Jesus had said: Mark 2:17~On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

There has been a widespread misrepresentation of Jesus’ leadership and decision making skills among Christians today. If you are still caught up in your mind always pointing out peoples deficiencies instead of their skills, you may need to look well because what you need most of the times to accomplish your vision is not always going to meet your standard. This is also applicable in your place of work. Most times, the most intelligent/righteous people won’t give you the best result in a short term, but people who through constant application of work, developed a skill.

Jesus used Saul who was later called Paul but not when he was with the apostles. Considering the level of learning which Paul had, he needed a stronger encounter than just a statement like “follow me” to bring him into submission. There was a limited time and a vision to be accomplished, it is necessary to apply what can easily be convertible within a confinement of time. Paul would later become the most successful apostle although he never met Jesus.

I have come across a renowned sex worker who was so kind. She could lend you some money and when she finds out you are struggling to pay back, she would say ‘you can keep the rest’. I have met a wayward person who always caused troubles and made a lot of noise but he was always at my disposal to help me perform any task which he knew how to do; even when I do not have money to pay. He will say, ‘you can pay me later’.

Jesus ate and drank with those who the Pharisees called sinners and he was a friend to Mary Magdalene who was a prostitute. Most times these categories of people are the easiest to talk to because they capture mysteries of the kingdom of heaven more readily than minds given into impracticable religion.

Do not move yourself away from the reality of your work as a kingdom ambassador. Do not be the lights that will only shine among lights, but as the light which shines among darkness, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven~Mathew 5:16.