To Be Jesus' Disciple

Luke 5:27–32 (NASB95)

27 After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him. 29 And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32 “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Disciples are called

Disciples are students or apprentices if you will of their master. The first point I want us to know is that all disciples are “called”. That means that Christ has sought us, not the other way around.

Singled out by Jesus

Interesting about Matthew is that Jesus noticed him, the word literally means as they were walking from the lake and when Jesus saw Matthew, he didn’t just glance at him, but placed his full attention on him.

Example: It’s like when you’re shopping for a new coat, and that special coat catches your eyes way up on the upper rack. And the store clerk grabs that long pole to get several coats down, and you tell him/her “naw, that one right there that’s 3 from the right end!!!”

Application: Understand, that where we are is not arbitrary. It is an intentionality of Jesus.

Called to follow and learn

It’s also important to understand the what disciples are being called to. Most commonly indicated by the phrase Jesus uses “Follow me”. Understand, that following was an outward behavior based on an internal attachment to Jesus. That internal attachment rose from when and what a person heard from and/or about Jesus. Presupposing that Matthew had heard Jesus preach or someone had informed him there’s a man teaching that Rule of GOD has arrived, and he has power to heal and forgive!!! With that, this call is to follow Jesus physically, but also to be loyal apprentice. Receiving guidance from him to direct one’s life.

Application: Are you ready to learn that it might steer your life? Not just to hear what he has said!!

Disciples respond when called

Now often times, we might hear people say they found Jesus. But understand that becoming a disciple absolutely requires that one RESPONDS. To not respond or say no are both rejections of the offer on the table.

Example: I have a new Poker app, you can select fold or not answer and time runs out and automatically selects.

Leaving the past behind

Now, the manner which Matthew responded demonstrates his acceptance of Jesus call. He left everything behind, everything in his life, but specifically his tax booth occupation.

Application: Here’s a question for all of us, if we consider ourselves disciples, what did we leave behind?? It is a complete break from this previous activity.

With gratitude

In addition, Matthew GAVE a reception. Which demonstrates how much he appreciated Jesus for calling him!!

Application: Have we responded to Jesus call with gratitude. Lord thank you!!!

Note: Also notice that discipleship had already grown in diversity! Fishermen (not wealthy), tax collector (typically affluent), and a Zealot who sought to overthrow Roman army.

Disciples accept they’re sinfully sick when called

They had just questioned Jesus’ ability to forgive sins, thinking of him only as a man. Now they target his disciples, likely after the party. Why y’all treating sinners like y’all family. But Jesus responds on their behalf, already intercepting foolish controversy. When Jesus says this, he’s also referring to his disciples, thus disciples realize they’re sinfully sick WHEN Jesus calls them (LUKE 5:8!!!!).

In desperate need of a doctor

Application: See disciples realize we are here together, in desperate need of a divine doctor. Nobody is called in perfectly good health. And if the Physician don’t want to deal with blood, how could injured people see them. He called us when we were sinners, to repentance!!