On Mission With Jesus to Save Lost People

This powerful message from Luke's Gospel confronts us with a challenging question: Are we truly on mission with Jesus, or are we trying to get Jesus on board with our mission? Through the calling of Levi the tax collector, we discover that following Christ means leaving everything—not necessarily giving it all away, but repositioning Jesus as absolute Lord over every area of our lives. What's remarkable is how Levi immediately uses his resources and relationships for Kingdom purposes, hosting a feast where his tax collector friends can meet Jesus. This reveals a profound truth: each of us has a unique circle of influence that God has sovereignly placed in our lives. We can reach people that others cannot. The Pharisees' opposition teaches us that Jesus' message will never fit comfortably into religious or cultural boxes, whether in the first century or today. Their mistake wasn't just theological—it was relational. They separated themselves from sinners while Jesus ate with them, loved them, and brought light into their darkness. We're challenged to examine our own approach: Are we building walls or building bridges? The call is clear—we're here to join Jesus in seeking and saving the lost, not just spiritually, but in every dimension of human brokenness. This mission will bring pushback, but Jesus promises to be with us always.