“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
“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power…”
— Psalm 110:3
In Luke chapter 5, the Good Shepherd leaves the ninety and nine astonished by a miraculous act of healing to go find a single publican. The Spirit does not come to as a reward. Levi was a publican, also known as a tax collector. This means that he was a thief, an extortioner, and covenant-breaker who was willing to afflict his brethren for personal gain. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, or whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit [1].
If salvation were a reward no one would get it. If we had to earn our salvation we wouldn’t, because we can’t. Instead it says, Not by works of rightouesness which we have done, but according ot his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost [2].
On the day of His power, he makes us willing like Levi to drop everything and follow Jesus. Levi gives no objection or excuses as to why he is too busy to drop his stop counting his money and follow the Savior. So what’s your excuse? What’s my excuse?!
When Peter was called to apostleship earlier in the same gospel narrative, he fell down before Jesus and said, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord [3].
Yes, there are some prayers God won’t answer! How fortunate for us that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance [4]! Our sin, our rebellion, our refusal or inability to “cooperate with grace” will not overrule God’s sovereign decree. Our despair and the accuser of the brethren reminds us of our sin and unworthiness. Our despair can say, Depart from me I am sinful! But our God has said, I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee [5].
Scriptures
1John 3:8
2Titus 3:5
3Luke 5:8
4Rom 11:29
5Josh 1:5
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