Mark 1-2, Psalm 95
Mark 2:13-14 (NLT)
“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.”
In Mark 2:13–14, we read the story of Jesus calling Levi, also identified as Matthew the tax collector. Jesus saw Levi sitting at the tax collector's booth and simply said to him, “Follow me.” Matthew's response was to get up and follow Him.
None of the Gospel accounts tells us that Matthew hesitated, questioned Jesus, or asked what following Him would require. Jesus called him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. Luke adds that Matthew left everything to follow Jesus. Matthew had a good livelihood as a tax collector, and the tax booth was where he worked. When Matthew left to follow Jesus, he was walking away from his livelihood. Unlike Peter, James, and John, who could return to their fishing boats, Matthew was leaving behind a position that may not have been waiting for him if he changed his mind.
Matthew's response makes me ask whether I respond readily when I believe the Holy Spirit is asking me to do something, or whether I hesitate because I want to understand where He is leading me first. This is an area of obedience that I know the Holy Spirit is helping me improve because I am not yet an automatic “yes” to His guidance. I have not yet said no, but my yes may take a long time to come. The guidance I've received from the Holy Spirit is that I need to learn to respond as readily as Matthew did. As I grow in trusting and obeying the Lord more readily, I know that kind of obedience will please Him.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who calls us to follow Him and gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us in our walk with Him—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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