Scripture to Read: Luke 5:27–32
At this point in Jesus’ life, He was still calling His disciples to follow Him. Historically, a rabbi of that time would typically begin taking on disciples at the age of thirty. It was at the age of thirty that Jesus began His public ministry. For those bright (or wealthy) enough, higher education meant studying under a local rabbi. If a rabbi did not choose them, then they entered the workforce by their mid-teens. In most cases, they apprenticed under their fathers and worked to ensure the family’s well-being. So, Jesus chose young men whom all the other rabbis had overlooked. God had Luke record in Luke 5:27–32, “After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ 28 And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him. 29 And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?’ 31 And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’” Jesus came for the spiritually sick, which is everyone. Many just don’t know they are sick; that’s why we share the Gospel so that they can follow Jesus.
Challenge & Application
Who did Jesus come to minister to and why is this important to understand?
Why is it so important for us to share the Gospel with others?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!