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11/22/11 FOLLOW ME

FOLLOW ME

Luke 5:27-32

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Key Verse: 5:32                                                                                   Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

 

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Dear Lord Jesus. Thank you for giving me strength to live according to your word. So often I don’t want to do anything but sleep. But then I realize that I can listen to your word. I can write daily bread and pray to you. Then I can have strength to do more than simply exist. I can think about the noble words of Jesus. Thank you Jesus for this life giving alternative. Please grant us direction for  Christmas day. What and where should we go? Lord, I please grant me one word of God to hold onto. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

 

Part 1: Follow Me (27-28).

Verses 27-28 reads, “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.”

 

Jesus saw a tax collector, Levi, in his booth. What did he see in him? He saw a man who sold his dignity, reputation, and soul to make money, a man caught in a job and selfish lifestyle that caused daily distress. Jesus also saw his need and holy desire for a restored life in God, new direction, and even new friends. Jesus simply said, “Follow me” (27).

What did Jesus see when he saw me? A hedonistic student who had nothing to do except try to seek fun  and excitement and live for small pleasures. Otherwise he was empty and bored. Jesus took note of me. He saw something in me that I never even saw in myself. He saw in me a holy desire to grow in the holiness of God. He saw in me the desire to grow in my inner person in the truth of God. Jesus saw that and called me and bore with me and nurtured in me that holy desire. Thank you Lord Jesus for your grace.

When Jesus called him to follow him, Levi left everything and followed Jesus. To Levi it was God’s voice and a once in a lifetime opportunity to change and live a holy life. Was he an extreme case? We may not all leave our jobs, but we can leave behind whatever hinders us from following Jesus. We can be ready to hear his voice and fully follow him.

I need hear Jesus’ voice and follow Jesus. Can I leave it all behind? I need to provide for the needs of my family and support the work of God. I would like to go toWheatonCollegeto get my masters degree. I would like to be a full time missionary somewhere. I need to follow Jesus where I am in the best way I can.  I pray that I may once again give my heart to the 1:1 discipleship ministry and raise disciples if Jesus with hope in my heart that they can become vibrant followers of Jesus.
Part 2: Jesus Came To Call Sinners (29-32).

Verses 29-32 read, “Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

In gratitude and hopes to introduce Jesus to many of his friends, Levi held a great banquet in Jesus’ honor. The religious leaders complained. Perhaps the disciples felt somewhat uncomfortable too with Levi and had a hard time accepting him. But Jesus’ response answered them: he came to call the sinners to repentance. Healthy people do not need him. His ministry was open to sinners for repentance and new life.

We are all sin sick if we are truly honest with ourselves and take a sober look at our spiritual condition. The healthy are those who falsely think they are healthy. They are the self righteous who are self content with their own condition. They feel that they have no need for a savior. Jesus came to those who know their wretched condition, or agree with what the Bibles says about their condition, and they come to Jesus for forgiveness and healing and hope. Levi was one of those people. He knew himself and he came to Jesus. I am the first to say that I am si=spiritually sick and I need a Savior. Come Lord Jesus. I need you everyday. I can not carry one without you.

I also like the dinner party that Levi hosted. It was a fellowship of forgiven sinners. It was a beautiful fellowship full of grace and the love of God. I pray that Jesus may create such a fellowship among us at NIU UBF. I pray that We may be joyful because of the love of Jesus and gather together in joyful fellowship.

Prayer: Lord, help me to repent and follow you today.

One Word: Follow Jesus. 




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