To Follow You: part IV

Counting the cost not the lost.

1.   When something crazy happens in our life, our first view is to dwell in the lost. In what ways have that happen to you?

2.   Is there any good?

Luke 5:27-32, story cont…

Not much is known about Levi-Matthew’s ministry after the Ascension of Jesus. Some say he was preaching in Ethiopia and in Persia, another said he went to Syria and Macedonia. The Church proclaims him a martyr but Clement of Alexandria claims that he died a natural death.

Whatever Levi-Matthew did after the Ascension of Jesus, he did it for the Jesus who called him from a life as an outcast to a life as one of Apostles. Matthew alone reports the visit of the tribute collectors for the tax. His telling of the story includes Jesus’ lesson to Peter (Matthew 17:24-27).

Matthew also includes the parable of the eleventh hour laborers, even to the details of the oral labor contract (Matthew 20:1-16). Matthew even gives the details of Judas’ contract for the betrayal of Jesus, details interesting to a tax collector (Matthew 27:3-10).  He tells the parable of the unrighteous servant (Matthew 18:23-35) and also the story of the tenants who were ungrateful (Matthew 21:33-46). If that isn’t enough…Matthew can relate to the parable of the king’s wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1-14).

Finally, Matthew is the only writer to include this quote from Jesus, “Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” If there is anyone with first hand experience it has to be Levi the tax collector.

Levi notices the reflection of compassion and grace in Jesus’ eyes. The acceptance and love that Christ showed that day transformed the lonely tax collector into a passionate follower.  He counted the cost and not the lost.  He knew what Jesus (God) did and was doing for him could and did surpass his desires. It changed his desire from what he could get to what He did.  May we count the cost (Cross) and not the lost (our life and desires).

1. Why don’t we just GO and DO what it is that God calls us to?
2. Do you find your self-weighing the options of pleasing people vs. God?

The Cross should be the weighing factor in our every move because it bought us from the destruction of sin.