‘After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth.’ A tax collector I did not look out into the crowds from my booth. I was a wealthy man and I had no right to be. The only reason I was rich was because I took a wage from our occupiers and added to it further, from my own people. Every bit of tax they paid had a little ‘Levi tax’ added to it. I could tell myself that it was only a little on any one bill. I knew, nevertheless that if I looked out of my tax booth I would see what effect that little bit had, before it fell into my purse and became a great amount.
Sitting at his booth
If I remained sitting and completed my ledger as the people passed by I did not have to look out. I would not have to see the hatred in their eyes and see their lips curl as they said the words ‘Betrayer of your people.’ The little booth was my daily prison and in that prison I sickened more with each passing day. When I reached my home each evening I had all I could wish to eat three and yet my stomach rebelled against the best of food. Friends, other tax collectors, would come to dine with me but recently they were disappointed by my manner. I could not eat with them, I could not enjoy the best wine. There was a bitter taste in my mouth and the food and the wine seems to taste like ash.
Jesus went out and saw a tax collector
I did not look out into the crowds around my booth but I knew that the prophet passed by. I tried not to see him and I knew he saw me. I’d seen him several times and I could not help looking for him. That day, towards the end of the day, he passed by my booth. I was waiting to leave and my stomach was hurting, from sickness or hunger I did not know which. I knew if I looked up I would see him. He passed by the front of the booth and then slowly turned back. He looked. My stomach lurched and I held on to the table, as though I could not predict what my body would do next. He gazed at me and I looked up. I did not see what I saw in other men’s eyes. I did not see contempt; I saw love. Pausing, I waited, realizing that I was not breathing … until He spoke to me, “Follow me,” Simple as that.
Levi held a great banquet
And as he looked at me I noticed that the nausea I had felt for so long melted away as I lost myself in His gaze. I left the booth and walked with Him. He led the crowd to my house. Others, including many of the tax collectors followed us there and I set about bringing food and wine to the table. Inevitably there were those in the crowd who had no love for me. I understand that.
The Pharisees and the teachers were complaining loudly to Jesus’ disciples about the company he kept. Jesus rounded on them, saying,
The healer
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”
Such a little time ago I sat, a sinner, in my booth with a bitter taste in my mouth and sickness in my stomach. The thought of food was repellant. Two words healed me of my sin and I would always follow the One who spoke them.
The Lord continued, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
I will follow you
Yes Lord, and I hear that call, and I will follow you.
A story beautifully retold with a modern twist.