Levi, also called Matthew, was a despised tax collector sitting at his booth busy with lucrative tax-gathering when Jesus chose him, a choice that angered those who rejected Christ's teaching though they could not ignore His influence. To leave all was to abandon his business, wealth, livelihood and entire former way of life, and at Christ's definite personal invitation he rose up at once and followed without question, hesitation or concern over exchanging wealth for hardship. His call offered no flattering prospects in this life and no promise of gain or worldly honor. Those who answer make no stipulation about what they will receive and do not wait to demand a salary equal to their former work, for it is enough to be with the Saviour, hear His words and unite with Him in His work by giving self unreservedly to God. To follow in this way is the privilege of companionship with Christ Himself, breaking the hold of greed and ambition so that the follower rises emancipated to live an unsullied life and to bring former associates, friends and relatives to meet Jesus.
Levi Answers the Call
The one who left all was Levi, also called Matthew, a despised publican found sitting at his tax booth engaged in lucrative tax-gathering. Jesus choosing such a publican angered those who rejected His teaching though they could not ignore His influence.
To leave all meant he abandoned his business, wealth, livelihood and entire former way of life to become a disciple. He gave up his lucrative tax-gathering work and his former life, willing to sacrifice all for his Master.
It happened in response to a definite, personal invitation to follow, and he rose up at once and followed. He did so without question or hesitation and without concern about exchanging wealth for hardship. Such a definite, personal invitation leads to a decisive movement to follow.
Conditions of True Discipleship
Christ's call to discipleship holds out no flattering prospects in this life and gives no promise of gain or worldly honor. Those who answer make no stipulation about what they will receive and do not wait before serving to demand a salary equal to their former occupation. Matthew at the receipt of custom left all without question or hesitation when told to follow.
It was enough for him to be with the Saviour, to hear His words, and to unite with Him in His work. That response means giving self unreservedly to God at the Saviour's call, leaving everything to follow where Christ leads. John, Peter, Matthew and their companions met those conditions, and the same consecration was required of the rich young ruler when told to follow. In asking this Christ asked no greater sacrifice than He Himself had made.
To follow in this way is the privilege of companionship with Christ Himself. That privilege was counted a joy by Peter, James and John, and it was offered to the young ruler in place of what he was called to surrender for the work of saving souls. His call itself breaks the hold of the world, driving greed and ambition from the heart so that people rise emancipated to follow the Saviour. This proves that by receiving power from on high a person can live an unsullied life.
Witness and Ministry Application
Leaving all meant abandoning wealth, business, and the entire former life to follow as a disciple willing to sacrifice everything for his Master. That new discipleship awakened a hunger to bring former associates, friends, and relatives to meet Jesus and find the same change. The once-despised publican thus became a devoted evangelist who followed his Master's example in seeking others. His joyful leaving of his tax work to serve when called remains the pattern for those summoned from farms, businesses, and other trades to warn the world.
The verse stands in the record of Christ's works for the spiritual and physical needs of those who sought His help. That record reveals Him as the great Medical Missionary and the great Restorer. From it come precious lessons for gospel ministry: to learn from Him meekness and lowliness of heart, to testify to His power, and to do everywhere the work He did while on earth.
Levi, also called Matthew, was a despised tax collector sitting at his booth busy with lucrative tax-gathering when Jesus chose him, a choice that angered those who rejected Christ's teaching though they could not ignore His influence. To leave all was to abandon his business, wealth, livelihood and entire former way of life, and at Christ's definite personal invitation he rose up at once and followed without question, hesitation or concern over exchanging wealth for hardship. His call offered no flattering prospects in this life and no promise of gain or worldly honor. Those who answer make no stipulation about what they will receive and do not wait to demand a salary equal to their former work, for it is enough to be with the Saviour, hear His words and unite with Him in His work by giving self unreservedly to God. To follow in this way is the privilege of companionship with Christ Himself, breaking the hold of greed and ambition so that the follower rises emancipated to live an unsullied life and to bring former associates, friends and relatives to meet Jesus.
Levi Answers the Call
The one who left all was Levi, also called Matthew, a despised publican found sitting at his tax booth engaged in lucrative tax-gathering. Jesus choosing such a publican angered those who rejected His teaching though they could not ignore His influence.
To leave all meant he abandoned his business, wealth, livelihood and entire former way of life to become a disciple. He gave up his lucrative tax-gathering work and his former life, willing to sacrifice all for his Master.
It happened in response to a definite, personal invitation to follow, and he rose up at once and followed. He did so without question or hesitation and without concern about exchanging wealth for hardship. Such a definite, personal invitation leads to a decisive movement to follow.
Conditions of True Discipleship
Christ's call to discipleship holds out no flattering prospects in this life and gives no promise of gain or worldly honor. Those who answer make no stipulation about what they will receive and do not wait before serving to demand a salary equal to their former occupation. Matthew at the receipt of custom left all without question or hesitation when told to follow.
It was enough for him to be with the Saviour, to hear His words, and to unite with Him in His work. That response means giving self unreservedly to God at the Saviour's call, leaving everything to follow where Christ leads. John, Peter, Matthew and their companions met those conditions, and the same consecration was required of the rich young ruler when told to follow. In asking this Christ asked no greater sacrifice than He Himself had made.
To follow in this way is the privilege of companionship with Christ Himself. That privilege was counted a joy by Peter, James and John, and it was offered to the young ruler in place of what he was called to surrender for the work of saving souls. His call itself breaks the hold of the world, driving greed and ambition from the heart so that people rise emancipated to follow the Saviour. This proves that by receiving power from on high a person can live an unsullied life.
Witness and Ministry Application
Leaving all meant abandoning wealth, business, and the entire former life to follow as a disciple willing to sacrifice everything for his Master. That new discipleship awakened a hunger to bring former associates, friends, and relatives to meet Jesus and find the same change. The once-despised publican thus became a devoted evangelist who followed his Master's example in seeking others. His joyful leaving of his tax work to serve when called remains the pattern for those summoned from farms, businesses, and other trades to warn the world.
The verse stands in the record of Christ's works for the spiritual and physical needs of those who sought His help. That record reveals Him as the great Medical Missionary and the great Restorer. From it come precious lessons for gospel ministry: to learn from Him meekness and lowliness of heart, to testify to His power, and to do everywhere the work He did while on earth.