Luke 5:27-32 — Levi was a tax collector and that meant he was despised. Tax collectors grew rich by collaborating with the Jewish people’s enemies. Often they were mentioned in the same breath as the “sinners,” that is, they were grouped with men and women who were notorious for their wicked lifestyles. So in this text we actually see something quite remarkable — Jesus called Levi to be His disciple.
As we consider this familiar story, we are encouraged by the wonderful redeeming love of Jesus and challenged about the commission He has entrusted us with.