Chosen

After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.  (Luke 5:27-28 NKJV)

I've always wondered if Jesus said anything else to Levi as He approached him in that tax office.  Could a simple "Follow Me" from someone he most likely didn't know personally, lead Levi to leave all that he had?  I wish I was there to witness that moment, to see the look in Jesus' eyes and the look in Levi's eyes.  What exactly happened that eventful day?

Whatever took place, it was definitely in the realm of reality.  People do just leave all, rise up, and follow Christ.  I know people who have left good paying jobs to pursue a ministry in preaching Christ and Him crucified.  I can also attest to this reality, as I forsook all that I lived for some ten odd years ago, to pursue the One who at that moment, was worth more than anything else.  I have never seen Jesus face to face, but I experienced His holiness, forgiveness, compassion, and mercy that one eventful night, and I can only imagine that whatever led Levi to forsake all for Him, he was convinced that this Man was worth more than anything else in the world.

This leads me to think, "If Jesus had this mind and heart transforming power to call people to forsake all that they had, to follow Him who is infinitely worthy, why didn't everyone just simply follow Him, being in the mere presence of the Lord?  Why was it only a select few that actually left all to follow Him?"  I believe it is because being in the mere presence of Jesus wasn't enough to convince people that He is worthy.

I have a friend who in the past asked me, "Do you think people would have responded differently if Jesus came to this earth, not 2000 years ago, but today, in our modern society?"  I think he was suggesting that perhaps if people had proof today of the Son of God walking around, they would more likely believe.  I suggested that people would respond the same today.  They may see Jesus' miracles and start to follow Him, but for the same reason the ancient people rejected Him, people today would eventually do the same.  People who want "proof" are interested in something supernatural, something "god-like".  After awhile, they will start to get disinterested in everything that Jesus stood for -- humility, self-denial, bearing one's cross, turning the other cheek, living like a servant in the presence of all men and God.  Modern people may be even more brutal and critical if Christ was walking the earth today.

Back to Levi, forsaking all to follow Him.  What made Levi's response different than the ones that rejected Christ?  What solidified his allegiance, though he had doubts when Jesus was crucified but ultimately surrendered his life for Christ after the resurrection?  In other words, why is it that some people ultimately reject Christ and others receive Him like infinitely worthy treasure?  Notice the scripture written above.  It is not Levi who approached Jesus first.  Jesus is the initiator.  Jesus spoke to Him first.  Jesus spoke, "Follow Me," and Levi responded and followed.  There is a concept of initiation and invitation that is important in salvation.  No one is saved unless the invitation is given.  Consider the following scriptures:

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. (John 6:63-66 ESV)

Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
(John 10:25-30 ESV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
(John 15:16 ESV)

Some may bring up the fact that the Gospel call has been given to all.  The invitation to heaven has been given to the whole world.  This is true, but do you remember Jesus' parable of the king's wedding feast for his son?  It's found in Matthew 22.  The king sent his servants to call those who were invited to the feast, but they would not come.  They paid no attention, one to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized the servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.  The king became angry and sent his troops to destroy those murderers.  He then told his servants to go to the main roads and invite as many people as they could find.  The servants gathered a whole bunch of people and filled the wedding hall with guests.  But when the king saw a man without a wedding garment, he said to him, "Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?" And the man was speechless.  Then the king said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Then Jesus concluded the parable with this line:

For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:13)

That man that actually got into the wedding hall was so close!  How was he rejected?  Because he did not have the proper attire.  And if you go on to read the rest of the Gospel, it will become evident that this proper attire is Christ.  Our clothes need to be washed in the blood of Christ in order to come into the presence of a holy banquet and to sit at the banquet table of God.

The invitation has been given.  Have you responded properly by putting on Christ, forgiven by Him, and abiding in Him?  If you can say with assurance that you know this of yourself, then you my brother and sister, have not just been invited, but chosen.  Now go, and follow Him.