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JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE
Mark 2 v. 13-17 (NLT)
Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew)
13 Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi (Matthew- writer of the first gospel in the New Testament) son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.
15 Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus' followers.) 16 But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?"
17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor— sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."
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What was so wrong with tax collectors? Why were they in the same category as sinners? Tax collectors, such as Levi (Matthew) were despised by the Jews because of their reputation for cheating the common man and supporting Rome and their pagan lifestyle.
But Jesus saw something in this tax collector, that no one else tried to see. Jesus wanted this man to be one of His 12 disciples; one of His close friends. Levi (Matthew), not only got up and followed Jesus- but soon after accepting this command, he invited Jesus into his home and his life. He did not hesitate to introduce those in his life to Jesus; he eagerly invited his friends and associates over to share what had instantly changed his life. He wasn't going to keep this to himself.
We can all do the same thing. All believers can introduce those in their life to Jesus. Some people feel that we need to have an approach memorized and mastered before we tell others about Jesus. But what a burden this is, to think there is only one way to share our faith. All believers can share their faith with whatever knowledge, skill, or experience they already have. It doesn't take memorized verses to share why you gave your life to Christ.
The key here is the reliance on the Holy Spirit. The Spirit leads us to be saved and will lead us in every thing we do concerning Him when we let Him. In the Spirit, we don't set out for numbers, we don't set out to look perfect and righteous. In the Spirit we set out to share what Christ has done for us, we set out to show and tell about the compassion and love that comes from our Savior- that we have experienced first hand. In the Spirit we share because we don't want anyone to miss out for their own sake and for the Will of God- not our own.
There is no formula, exposing people to the power of Jesus, is as simple as sharing what He did and is doing for you; it's as simple as listening to someone in need. Isn't it better for people to speak to someone who will pray for and with them, instead of someone who wants to give them dumb advice, spread their business or judge them? Give Jesus the credit and the glory in your life and people will see it; their spirit will receive it before their heads know it. You don't have to see the results, just be willing to plant, water, and nurture the seed of our living God.
- HAVE YOU FULLY INVITED JESUS INTO YOUR HOME AND INTO YOUR LIFE?
Or do you have restricted gates up?
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Prayer: Praise Your Name Heavenly Father. Show me how to first rely on Your Spirit in everything I do. By the power of Your Spirit in my life, I know my life will serve those around me for Your glory. Make me sensitive to those around me so that I can attend to their needs; and in serving them open the door for those who don't know Your holy Son, and experience His compassion and love. In hope, that the desire to know Jesus ignites and grows stronger-until they realize they don't want to live this life without You. It is about You Jesus. I invite You into my home, my life, every where I go, in my mind, spirit and soul. I invite You to spread Your message through me. In Your name. Amen
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"For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Resources: biblegateway.com, NIV Women's Devotional Bible- Classic Edition, The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro and Life Application Study Bible.
www.thegoodnews4yourlife.blogspot.com "Providing you with what you already have access to in the most convenient way. So that we all can continue to grow in wisdom & understanding of God." LT
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