Mark's account of the call of Levi serves as a fitting bookend with the account of the calling of the first disciples. In between, there are accounts of numerous healings and deliverances which accompanied Jesus's proclamation of the coming kingdom of God. Unlike Peter and Andrew, James and John, Levi probably was not comfortable with the way he was making a living. He worked for "the enemy," as far as his fellow Jews were concerned. Day after day, he sat at the tax booth--probably a toll collection center on the border separating the territory between Herod Antipas and his brother Philip--enduring the sneers and insults of his fellow Jews. He worked for the wrong employer, the Herodian family which ruled over Judea with the backing of the hated Romans.
When Jesus called his first disciples, Peter and Andrew, James and John had to leave behind the fishing business which had been the livelihood of their respective families for generations. For Levi, it would seem, the decision to leave his business and follow Jesus was much easier. Any life would be better than the life of a tax collector. But the call to follow Jesus is, inherently, a call to repentance. Did Levi really want to face the painful truth about the life he had been living? If he was a typical tax collector (and there is no reason to believe he was not), he had probably enriched himself by taking from his fellow Jews more than was required. Was he prepared to make restitution to everyone he had wronged?
There is more to the statement, "And he rose up and followed him," than meets the eye. It does not mean merely that Levi stepped outside the tax booth and began hanging out with Jesus. It means he gave himself completely to the One who invited him to be his disciple. Whatever the cost to himself personally, Levi would turn away from his former life and make a new start. He realized that he--no less than the man with the unclean spirit, the leper, and the paralytic--was a sick man who needed healing and deliverance.
It is fitting, then, that the account of Levi's call ends with Jesus's statement, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." The call to discipleship is the call to repentance. Jesus is the physician who comes to bring healing and wholeness to all who have been broken by the sickness of sin.
Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?
I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.
I my Master have denied,
I afresh have crucified,
And profaned His hallowed Name,
Put Him to an open shame.
I have spilt His precious blood,
Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable,
I, who yet am not in hell!
Lo! I still walk on the ground:
Lo! an Advocate is found:
“Hasten not to cut him down,
Let this barren soul alone.”
Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood!
He disarms the wrath of God;
Now my Father’s mercies move,
Justice lingers into love.
Kindled His relentings are,
Me He now delights to spare,
Cries, “How shall I give thee up?”
Lets the lifted thunder drop.
Whence to me this waste of love?
Ask my Advocate above!
See the cause in Jesus’ face,
Now before the throne of grace.
There for me the Savior stands,
Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps and loves me still.
Jesus, answer from above,
Is not all Thy nature love?
Wilt Thou not the wrong forget,
Permit me to kiss Thy feet?
If I rightly read Thy heart,
If Thou all compassion art,
Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow,
Pardon and accept me now.
Pity from Thine eye let fall,
By a look my soul recall;
Now the stone to flesh convert,
Cast a look, and break my heart.
Now incline me to repent,
Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.
- Charles Wesley
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