What Jesus Did! 'Leaving It Behind' — Mark 2:13-14

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.
— Mark 2:13-14 NLT

Key Thought

Two exciting things happened in these two short verses. First, Jesus showed that the call to follow him should be offered to all kinds of different people: Many, today, that we may think might not follow him are actually open to his call. (Remember that tax collectors such as Levi, also known as Matthew, were generally despised, yet they followed Jesus.) Second, the call to follow Jesus means we are willing to leave all of our bases of security behind and follow him. Levi was willing; are we?

Today's Prayer

Father, please increase my courage and open the hidden places in my heart that I have not fully offered to the lordship of your Son and my Savior. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Jesus' Loose Lug Nuts and His RagTag Band
Article by Phil Ware
Could it be that we are more afraid of being contaminated by the world than motivated by Jesus to be salt and light? Phil Ware reminds us that we want to not only share in the Lord's Supper, but we also want our table to be like Levi's table of grace and friendship.
Loose Lug Nuts and the RagTag Band
Article by Phil Ware
Will we make the Lord's Table like Levi's table? Phil Ware reminds us that we want to not only share in the Lord's Supper, but we also want our table to be like Levi's table of grace and friendship.
Dinner at Levi's House
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They're unsettling. They're uncomfortable. They're troubling. So, we don't ask, at least not out loud! Phil Ware asks a bunch of troubling questions as he looks at the story of Jesus and his call of Levi and the party Levi had at his house afterwords.
Eating and Leftovers
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Why the connection between Jesus and 'the leftovers' and why does the modern church not have the same relationships? Phil Ware reminds us that our times at the Lord's Table should be filled with the same kind of people who joined Jesus at the table when he was on earth!
See All 5 Related Resources about Mark 2:13-14

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 2:13-14 NLT — "Follow me and be my disciple,"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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