Saturday, 4 March 2017

East Ridge Pres

Luke 5:27-28 After this Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, Levi rose and followed him. Jesus calls a tax collector to be his disciple. Not because he is worthy. Jesus calls him because he is unworthy. Jesus calls those who are unqualified to be his disciples. He does not review your resume, your professional history, your career, your references. Jesus said: “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but only those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Jesus calls a tax collector. A terrible sinner. Jesus will call anyone. Anyone. Are you an angry person? Are you lazy? Are you going nowhere because you won’t work hard? Are you a glutton? over eating, Are you greedy? spending your money on luxury? Do you neglect the poor? Do you give nothing to the church? Are you envious? Resenting the people around you. Are you an adulterer? Have you failed your spouse? Have you broken your vows? Have you failed your children? Are you a porn addict? Do you drink too much? Jesus calls you. He says, “Repent and follow me.” He looks you in the eye and he says to you: Repent today and follow me. He calls you to “leave everything and follow him.” He calls you to leave your old life and go to him. He says: I will remake you. I will make you to be what I want you to be. Jesus has the grace within himself to make you new. That you may walk in newness of life. Jesus says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Begin anew today.