Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Lenten Reading Mark 2: 13-22

Today's Reading

One job I would HATE is to be the one to hand out parking tickets. Can there be any more thankless job? Being yelled at, cursed, or threatened is not my idea of job fulfillment.

But that’s the life that Levi had as a tax collector. I’m guessing that was the only job he could find. Also, we probably made good money on it. Tax collectors had a habit of over charging people and pocketing the difference for themselves.

Plus, he was collecting taxes for the Roman empire who had taken over their land, and executed a generation of young men. Levi was aiding the enemy.

So, here comes Jesus. He didn’t shout. He didn’t swear at him. He simply called Levi out the life that was hurting people - and himself. Jesus’ love transformed the most hated man in town into a disciple.

Not everyone was pleased. Especially not the other disciples. But Jesus explained that “those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who sick. I’ve not come to call the righteous, but the unrighteous.”

And who among us doesn’t need what Jesus came to give?

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