Luke 5:27 – “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. ‘Follow me,” Jesus said to him.

I found it interesting to read what happened prior to Jesus whooping it up with Levi at a banquet with the tax collector and his friends. The ones that the Pharisees and their scribes would not be caught dead with. See right before Jesus connected with Levi he was (I imagine) impressed with the tenacity of the paralytic’s friends who cut a hole in the roof and lowered their friend down in front of Jesus to be healed. Jesus took one look at the man and told him his sins were forgiven. This caused an uproar! Who was he that he could do that! So Jesus met them where they were at and instead said, “Ok, well then take up your mat and go home!” (v. 24) Who was he to claim such a thing! What audacity he had!

We then arrive at vs. 26 where “Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, ‘We have seen remarkable things today.’” Just then Jesus saw Levi hanging out. Watching those same amazing things. The audacity of the friends, the healing, the horror from the Pharisees, and the amazement from the crowd. He saw it all! And….he “got up, left everything and followed him.” (v. 28)

I am reminded at how both amazing and simple discipleship is. It’s really just testifying to what God has done, having enough audacity to believe He is working on your behalf again, and following whatever the next step is.

I am seeing this play out in my own life a lot recently. God has shown up in a big way over and over again. I get to be audacious in my asking, watch the healing and amazement, and get up and follow Him. Again….and again….and again. What is it that you need to have tenacity to “tear down the roof” to get to Jesus? Who do you need to help to Jesus.? What do you need to lay down? Or get up from? Or climb down from? Where can you join others in praising God saying, “Today we’ve seen remarkable things!”? Get up today, take up your mat, and follow Him.

Post by Beth Burgess