FROM THE DEANS DESK THE CALL TO REPENTANCE As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collectors booth.‘‘Follow Me’’. Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him,’’ Mark 2:14)Repentance is not a matter of cleaning up our lives in order to be forgiven. C. S. Lewis said that it ‘‘is not something God demands of you before He will take you back... it is simply a description of what going back is like.’’.Grace they say is unmerited favour considering the position of Levi a tax collector, it would be stupid in the eyes of the Jew to enlist him as an apostle of Jesus Christ.The reason is that tax collectors were regarded as allies with the Romans who were seen as haters of the Jews. He must have been among the despised and should not have been chosen by Jesus if he was a true Prophet. But his calling and outright response to it proved the place of the amazing grace of God in the salvation plan of God. He abandoned a more lucrative job he was doing to follow Jesus.Having, however, received this grace, he valued it so much that a party was organized which, I think, was deliberately done in order that other sinners and those despised might have an opportunity to meet the saviour Jesus Christ (v.15). The reaction of the pharisees showed their state of mind or disposition about them. They could not hesitate to ask His disciples why He ate with sinners and tax collectors. This question,therefore, gave rise to the ultimate answer about His reason for coming into the world ‘‘to call the sinners and not the righteous’’. Do you know that we all are sinners in God’s standard? (Psalm 14:2-5; Rom. 3:23) and that it is only by coming to Jesus that we can be saved? (Matt.11:28).It is important for those who believe to look for opportunities for sinners to meet Jesus.Are you evangelizing? The gospel according to Mark proves that Jesus did not make a mistake in choosing Levi.Beloved, Jesus is calling you and l to repentance as well. Note that we cannot have our cake and eat it. Let us shed those weight of sin and put on the garb of righteousness. Have a spectacular week full of pleasant Divine surprises in Jesus.. Help me to point sinners to you for salvation oh Lord. Teach me to hold tenaciously to your word so that my life can manifest your glory. Create in me a clean heart oh God. Lord, help me to subdue my flesh through fasting and enable me to reach out to those in need through Christ our Lord. Amen. Father, from today, let it be visible that l have been with you. Make m e a c a r r i e r o f yo u run common presence. Father, each day I come into your presence, let your crown of glory be evident in my life.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Mar 2014 16:51:26 +0000
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