Who Me?

"After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, 'Follow me.' And leaving everything, he rose and followed him."

Luke 5:27-28

We hear a lot about churches and their "target groups" now a days. Thus and such a church targets yuppies. First Church of the Redundant Praise Chorus targets upper middle class ex-stock brokers with dark tans and red cars with one missing lug nut.

Jesus targeted people too, and his strategy was even more specific. He zoned in on sinners, ans sinners alone. Upper class, lower class, fishermen, soldiers, men, women and children, Jew & Gentile. He was pretty specific.

When he approached the tax booth, he had calculated every move and every word. He was more direct than a telemarketer and more powerful than an RPG toting insurgent. Yet he overwhelmed his prey with grace and love.

Ironic though, isn't it? The one who is always demanding a portion of someone's life, is now having his life demanded.

Yet most of us don't even flinch at the story. Our deadened ears are not shocked by the scandal of the event just mentioned. We are too used to grace. Perhaps too many Sunday school lessons have desensitized us. But the passage reads like front page news, "Self Acclaimed Messiah Recruits Renegade Jew."

Perhaps there could not have been a more distinct apostate. Siding with the Roman government, he had turned on his people. And turning on the children of the family meant he had turned on the Father of the family too.

Sure, he was rendering unto Caeser what was Caeser's, and he was most likely taking quite a bit for himself as well. He was a man of the world. Until heaven barged in on him.

Yet that is exactly how Christ works in all situations, even today. He dives into our lives like a bandit. Be it while we are in the middle of our work, in the middle of our sleep, or in the middle of our daily cup of joe, he dashes in with redeeming love.

But no matter when He intrudes, it is always while we are in the middle of our sin. And catching us in the act, He tenderly, firmly, and comprehensively demands our life.

I believe in the "whosoever will may come." As this passage shows us, Christ comes to save even the worst of sinners. Any who would respond--any who would get up, leave all, and follow him, may have eternal life.

But this passage seems to tell me that there is something more to salvation. Certainly the gospel is declared wide and free, like the sower scattering his seed. But while the gospel might spread like the sprinkler in your back yard, oftentimes Christ shoots pointed arrows.

Christ's encounter with this miserly monk shows us that He does not always say, "Whosoever will." As in this case you hear the words of Uncle Sam echoing in His voice, "I WANT YOU!" Perhaps it would be better put, "I DEMAND YOU!"

Me?

Yes, you--you wretched and ungrateful imp of a person. I want to forgive you, repair you, care for you, and crown you with glory and honor. Now get up and follow me.