The Call of Levi

Text: Mark 2:13-17Memory Verse: Mark 2:17

Disciple- a student follower.Apostle- one who is sent out.Outcast- a person who has been rejected or excluded

from a social group.Pharisee- a member of a religious group who strictly

followed the Jewish religious laws.Tax- money collected to be paid to the government.Tax collector- someone who collected money from the

people for the Roman government.Publican- another name for a tax collector.Respectable people- having good manners and good

character .

Duties are paid on imported items. Example- clothing, air conditioners, and radios, to name a few.

Businesses pay stamp tax on imports for resale. Taxes are also paid on property

Taxes are used to develop a country. The government uses the money for work it has to do.

Some examplesTo build schools, hospitals and other

government buildings.To construct roads and sidewalks

Tax Collectors collected taxes for the Roman Government.

They were called sinners by the Pharisees because they did not follow the Jewish laws.

They were treated like outcasts .They overcharged the people and kept excess

or extras for themselves.People who collect taxes or duties in The

Bahamas are called Custom Officers.

13 Jesus went back again to the shore of Lake Galilee. A crowd came to him, and he started teaching them. 14 As he walked along, he saw a tax collector, Levi son of Alphaeus, sitting in his office. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Levi got up and followed him. 15 Later on Jesus was having a meal in Levi's house. A large number of tax collectors and other outcasts was following Jesus, and many of them joined him and his disciples at the table.

16 Some teachers of the Law, who were Pharisees, saw that Jesus was eating with these outcasts and tax collectors, so they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such people?“

17 Jesus heard them and answered, "People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts."

Levi was the son of AlphaeusA Publican/tax collector His office was located in Capernaum by

the seaside of Galilee.He responded to Jesus after a simple

“follow me” invitation.He hosted a large feast and shared his

new faith.His name was changed to Matthew and

later he became the author of the Gospel of Matthew.

Levi left everything and followed Jesus.He hosted a feast at his house and Jesus

attended. Jesus and his other disciples and many

other tax collectors were at the party.

Jesus calls Levi

The Pharisees became angry because Jesus was eating with sinners.

Jesus was concerned with the way persons were being treated and did not believe in segregating himself from sinners.

Jesus compared himself to a doctor and said, “people who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick.”

Jesus also made it clear that He did not come to call the respectable people but the outcasts.

Jesus’ response shows us that He came to call people who did not live a Godly life.

Jesus wanted to teach us to love and forgive sinners.

We can help sinners to change their lifestyle by spending time with them and showing them a better way .

Because of love, forgiveness, and acceptance, sinners often change their lifestyles and follow Jesus’ teachings.For example Levi, who latter became the author of the Gospel of Matthew.

1. What was the occupation of Levi? (1) 2. Why were people like Levi hated by Jews? (2)3. Give the name of three (3) groups of people

who would be considered as outcasts today. (3) 4. Who were the other dinner guest at the house

of Levi when Jesus had dinner with him? (2) 5. Explain why the Pharisees were angry with

Jesus? (2)6. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees? (2) 7. What might Christians learn about responding

to sinners. (2)

The End