“Follow me.” 
Luke 5:27

Just two words. It’s not a request. There are no details on where you’re going. Just the words follow me. And Levi’s response is to just get up, leave everything and go. Can you imagine what he must have seen in the eyes of Jesus that made him step away from all of his comforts. This was a Jewish man despised by his own people, getting rich as a tax collector for the hated Romans who used him. He most likely didn’t feel wanted by either group. Imagine the loneliness he must have felt and the possible mixed emotions of greed and guilt that probably plagued him. 

I’m sure that he had heard of Jesus and maybe even seen him perform a miracle. I wonder if he was curious about this teacher somewhere deep within himself. He might not have felt worthy to approach, while all the while wishing he could. Then suddenly, while he is working one day, Jesus walks by, stops and looks at him. And that gaze captures his soul, sees all the sin and all the ugliness, but also the small glimmer of hope that things could be different. The love spilling onto Levi from this traveling preacher soaks into all the dry cracks left by selfishness and rejection and draws him in like a thirsty man. And then the words, “Follow me.” Here is someone who sees beyond the mask and the walls and wants Levi by his side. Can you even imagine that he would pause for a second? There wasn’t a choice to make. Love called and he answered. 

You that are reading this right now, you are Levi. He sees all the sin. He sees all the pain and the unworthiness you feel. He knows that others may judge you and reject you. He understands and loves you anyway. He is looking at you. Let Him love you and hear His call. 

“Follow me. Trust me that I know where we are going and you will be safe. You will be loved. You are worthy, not because you are perfect, but because you are you. Will you leave everything behind and take that first step?” 

Reflection Questions: How scary is it to think of making such a radical change in your life like Levi? Can you honestly say that you could drop everything to follow the Lord? Can you start with something simple? What is one thing that you can step away from, starting this Lent, and continuing on for the rest of your life that keeps you from following Him completely? Ask for the grace to make that change and see where Jesus takes you. 

Prayer: Jesus, when you look at me with love, I want to follow. But what my heart wants and what my flesh wants can sometimes be at odds. It’s scary. I’m comfortable here. I feel safe and I don’t know what others might think if I turn and follow you, because I’ve been headed down a different path. Please give me the grace to follow the example of Levi. Amen.