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CloseRyan Sim - October 8, 2013
Tuesday - Study It - Partners To Friends
Today we’ll explore the story of a time Jesus became friends with someone unexpected: After this Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. - Luke 5:27-29 ESV Tax collectors were collaborators with the oppressive Roman government. They were known for taking some off the top, or extorting and pocketing extra taxes from people. People like that are usually careful about who they associate with. They get to positions of power through taking advantage of others, by being crafty and independent, or using people for profit. But there is something about Levi’s encounter with Jesus that changes all that. After meeting Jesus, Levi has his coworkers over to dinner. All the other collaborators and extortioners come to his place. He knows what they’re like, maybe they will steal. Or will they see some of his belongings, or family members, and use it against him in blackmail and extortion? Why would he put himself at risk like that? Because they suddenly matter to him more than just partners at work. Because of Jesus, now they’re friends. Not just obstacles or opportunities. They are people he can feed and host. The passage says Levi left everything and followed Jesus. It clearly doesn’t refer to all his material possessions – he still has a house and means to throw a big feast. This saying represents a spiritual about-face as he leaves behind his old way of life. Research shows that vulnerability is key to friendships. Levi does this, he leaves himself dangerously open to dangerous people. He has them over and shares a meal with them. This was even more significant in this culture – table fellowship indicated you were on the same page spiritually with others. You broke bread together, and legally became a religious fellowship. Jews didn’t eat with non-Jews, for that reason. Levi is Jewish, as is Jesus, but Levi is a Roman collaborator who would be dealing with non-Jews all the time, and regularly breaking the law by extorting fees from Jewish brothers. We’ll learn more tomorrow about how people reacted. Question: Why do you think Levi invites his co-workers over to supper with Jesus? What’s he doing for them, for himself, and for Jesus?
Related Topics: Colleagues, Friends, Jesus, Parties, Sin | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "Won't You Be My Neighbour?"
More From "Won't You Be My Neighbour?"
Friday - Reflect - Friends to Family | October 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Friends to Family | October 17, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Friends To Family | October 16, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Friends To Family | October 15, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Friends To Family | October 14, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Partners to Friends | October 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Partners To Friends | October 10, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Partners To Friends | October 9, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Partners To Friends | October 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Partners To Friends | October 7, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Acquaintances to Partners | October 4, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Acquaintances to Partners | October 3, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Acquaintances to Partners | October 2, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Acquaintances to Partners | October 1, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Acquaintances to Partners | September 30, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Neighbours to Acquaintances | September 27, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Neighbours to Acquaintances | September 26, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Neighbours to Acquaintances | September 25, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Neighbours to Acquaintances | September 24, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Neighbours to Acquaintances | September 23, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Strangers to Neighbours | September 20, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Strangers to Neighbours | September 19, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Strangers to Neighbours | September 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Strangers to Neighbours | September 17, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Strangers to Neighbours | September 16, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Neighbours Matter | September 13, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Neighbours Matter | September 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Neighbours Matter | September 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Neighbours Matter | September 10, 2013 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
Monday - A New Idea - Neighbours Matter | September 9, 2013 | Watch | Listen |