It is fascinating to reflect on the surrounding narrative in which these words are spoken. First, Jesus calls Levi to follow Him, and then the scene shifts to Jesus and His disciples dining in Levi’s house, surrounded by Levi’s friends.

One thing that stands out is Jesus’ consistent ability to connect with any and every type of person. Another is that Levi’s decision to follow Him begins with Jesus meeting Levi right where he was—in his current life, just as it was.

The religious elite, those called to a life of consecration, were unsettled by this. In response, Jesus affirms His mission is to those in need.

It is liberating to realise that Jesus is comfortable sitting with us, meeting us, and drawing us close—exactly where we are. Yes, Jesus calls us to follow Him, but we don’t need to perfect ourselves before we can respond. Instead, it’s in following Him that we are transformed, one step at a time.

How willing we are to follow Jesus’ example? Would we sit and eat with those we might label as ‘sinners’—those in desperate need of the Christ who dwells within us? If this is what we see Jesus doing, we must examine our own lives and ask: Are we following Him to places we might ordinarily avoid? To those in need of the Great Physician?

by Caleb Bowles