Jesus Looking for Sinners
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him.”
Luke 5:27–28
In the time of Christ, Israel was under the control of the Roman Empire. As was the custom in those days, much of the expense of keeping a military occupation force in a conquered land was expected to be borne by the residents of that land. The Romans had devised an ingenious system for their tax collection. They would contract with local citizens of the country who would be responsible for meeting a certain quota of taxes. As an incentive to them, these men, known as publicans, were allowed to keep everything they collected above that amount.
Of course this system was rife with corruption. The publicans could charge whatever taxes they felt like charging, with the military might of Rome available to back up their assessments. The Jews who collaborated with the Romans in this way were hated by their countrymen. Though they were often very wealthy, they were despised, even barred from entering the synagogues for prayer and worship.
Yet when Jesus saw a publican named Levi hard at work lining his own pockets and funding the Roman occupation of Israel in the process, He did not shame or condemn him. Instead Jesus called Levi to leave his old life behind to follow Him. It is tempting after we have been saved for a while to forget how desperately lost and wicked we were before we met Jesus. Even those of us who were saved as children had a corrupt sin nature and no hope without Him. The grace and mercy of God sent Jesus into the world to look for lost sinners. This truth is our hope of salvation and our source of joy.
Luke 5:27–28
In the time of Christ, Israel was under the control of the Roman Empire. As was the custom in those days, much of the expense of keeping a military occupation force in a conquered land was expected to be borne by the residents of that land. The Romans had devised an ingenious system for their tax collection. They would contract with local citizens of the country who would be responsible for meeting a certain quota of taxes. As an incentive to them, these men, known as publicans, were allowed to keep everything they collected above that amount.
Of course this system was rife with corruption. The publicans could charge whatever taxes they felt like charging, with the military might of Rome available to back up their assessments. The Jews who collaborated with the Romans in this way were hated by their countrymen. Though they were often very wealthy, they were despised, even barred from entering the synagogues for prayer and worship.
Yet when Jesus saw a publican named Levi hard at work lining his own pockets and funding the Roman occupation of Israel in the process, He did not shame or condemn him. Instead Jesus called Levi to leave his old life behind to follow Him. It is tempting after we have been saved for a while to forget how desperately lost and wicked we were before we met Jesus. Even those of us who were saved as children had a corrupt sin nature and no hope without Him. The grace and mercy of God sent Jesus into the world to look for lost sinners. This truth is our hope of salvation and our source of joy.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Give thanks today that even while you were a sinner far from Him, Jesus came in love to save you.
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