Waiting at the Table

Tax collectors have always been despised. In ancient times they abused their power by extracting more taxes than was due in order to line their own pockets. Even in modern days, tax agents fail to inspire warm and fuzzy thoughts. Who has not heard a nightmare story of how someone’s property was confiscated by the tax man, or how an error, that should have been corrected in a week, took months and sometimes years for the taxing agency to adjust? So tax collectors continue to inspire fear or distain, but never love. Yet, in Mark 2:14-17 it is one of these tax collectors (a type and shadow of a sinner) that Jesus chose as His disciple. He called Levi (Matthew) while the man was actually sitting at his taxing station, and said, “Follow Me!” But that wasn’t the end of it. Jesus then went to the man’s house and ate with him!

Naturally, the scribes, which verse 16 in the Amplified tells us belonged to the party of the Pharisees, were outraged. Nothing changes. Modern day Pharisees and their ilk are still outraged whenever someone out of their comfort zone takes his/her place beside the Lord. What they fail to realize is that God is no respecter of persons. He loves us and wants to use us for His kingdom and glory. Even those of us who, at first glance, don’t seem to qualify. The truth is, no one qualifies on their own merits, and certainly not because they belong to the “right” party or group. Rather, we see in verse 17 the heart of it. Jesus told these religious hypocrites that He had come to call sinners to repentance. And in that we all qualify.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. That means He is still calling sinners to repentance and saying, “Follow Me!” even those who have followed Him a long time and blown it and think, “well, that’s it. He could never use me now,” and even those who are still sitting in there sins like Levi was. For those that repent, there is a place in the Lord made especially for them, as well as the promise of a deep abiding fellowship. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup (dine) with him, and he with me.” Dinner is ready, and Jesus is waiting at the table. It’s time to join Him.

Until next time,

Sylvia