After these he went forth saw publican named Levi sitting at receipt custom said Follow me. After meta sequential. Went forth exēlthen departed. Saw etheasa to noticed observed. Publican telōnēn tax collector. Named onomati called. Levi Matthew. Sitting kathēmenon position of occupation. Receipt custom telōnion tax booth. Said eipen authoritative. Follow me akolouthei same call to other disciples. Jesus calls despised tax collector demonstrates grace reaches social outcasts. No one beyond redemption. Levi wealthy but empty profession lucrative but shameful. Jesus call transforms. Reformed theology emphasizes effectual calling irresistible grace. God chooses calls draws enables. Levi response demonstrates grace power. What seemed unlikely conversion becomes reality.
Historical Context
Tax collectors hated as traitors Rome extortionists. Bid for collection rights kept excess. System invited abuse. Levi Capernaum collection station on trade route lucrative position. Respectable Jews avoided tax collectors ceremonially unclean. Jesus calling Levi scandalous to religious observers. But this becomes pattern Jesus eats with tax collectors sinners Pharisees criticize. Grace reaches unlikely people. Paul Pharisee persecutor became apostle. Augustine dissolute life became church father. Luther monk became reformer. Grace transforms. Early church welcomed all converts regardless past. Modern church sometimes more concerned respectability than reaching outcasts. Jesus pattern opposite.
Questions for Reflection
What does calling tax collector Levi demonstrate about scope of grace and who can be saved?
How should Jesus example of eating with tax collectors sinners challenge church tendency toward respectability rather than risky mission?
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Analysis & Commentary
After these he went forth saw publican named Levi sitting at receipt custom said Follow me. After meta sequential. Went forth exēlthen departed. Saw etheasa to noticed observed. Publican telōnēn tax collector. Named onomati called. Levi Matthew. Sitting kathēmenon position of occupation. Receipt custom telōnion tax booth. Said eipen authoritative. Follow me akolouthei same call to other disciples. Jesus calls despised tax collector demonstrates grace reaches social outcasts. No one beyond redemption. Levi wealthy but empty profession lucrative but shameful. Jesus call transforms. Reformed theology emphasizes effectual calling irresistible grace. God chooses calls draws enables. Levi response demonstrates grace power. What seemed unlikely conversion becomes reality.