Today's Verse: Luke 5:27

Thursday, May 27, 2004

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, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
— Luke 5:27

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

After capturing the hearts of the crowd, Jesus now calls another disciple, Levi (Matthew). Two things are significant about this calling. First, Jesus called someone no other religious leader would have chosen, a tax collector and Roman sympathizer — to any Jew of Jesus' era, Matthew would have seemed very much like a traitor to his heritage and to his faith. Second, the tax collector followed, leaving behind his livelihood and his fortune. This is a powerful reminder that there is no one we should write off as unreachable with the Gospel and as unusable by our Lord.

My Prayer...

Father of all nations, help me recognize the people you place in my path today who are ready to know more about Jesus. Give me the wisdom and the awareness to know when and how to speak with them about my Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, May 27, 2004

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'God's Treasure Revealed' (2 Co. 4:7-12)
"Dear Father, powerful sustainer, Thank you for putting your treasure in a cracked clay pot like me so that it will be evident that the treasure is..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Strength for Daily Life from Jesus' (Ph. 4:12-13)
"I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I've learned the secret of how to live when I'm full or when I'm hungry,..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Guided to Mission' (Ac. 8:29)
"The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot [carrying an Ethiopian official] and stay near it.""
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'My Place of Safety' (Ps. 18:2)
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place...."

Illustration

Illustration of 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, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse