Due to weather conditions, all in-person daytime and evening programs have been canceled across the church’s locations for Wednesday, except for the Recovery programs and Food Pantry at Overland Park. Decisions for Thursday daytime programs will correspond with local school district decisions and will be posted on the church’s website.
Scheduled programming has resumed for Thursday, February 13 at all Resurrection locations.
Jesus went out beside the lake again. The whole crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he continued along, he saw [Matthew] Levi, Alphaeus’ son sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Levi got up, left everything behind, and followed him. Then Levi threw a great banquet for Jesus in his home.
Jesus sat down to eat at Levi’s house. Many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples. Indeed, many of them had become his followers. When some of the legal experts from among the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, “Why is he eating with sinners and tax collectors?” When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and learn what this means: I want mercy and not sacrifice. I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners to change their hearts and lives”
The story of Jesus calling Matthew the tax collector to follow Him demonstrates Jesus’ desire to reach everyone – even those who are actively choosing to live lives that don’t honor God. It can be challenging for us to understand how radical this story is. Imagine a corrupt politician who is accepting bribes to influence policy. Jesus says, “follow me.” Imagine the famous athlete who is caught up in illegal sports betting. Jesus says, “follow me.” Imagine the shop owner who buys gift cards from drug addicts at a fraction of their value. Jesus says, “follow me.”
The message here is the expansive grace of God expressed through His Son Jesus. Jesus invites Matthew to follow him. Jesus invites you, me, every one of us to follow him, no matter what we’ve done, what we’re doing, or what we’re planning to do. Jesus looks at each one of us where we are right now and says, “follow me.”
I invite you to pray this prayer (portion in bold originally written by St. Anselm of Canterbury):
Wonderful and holy God,
Thank you for your Son Jesus.
Thank you for your Spirit that guides me.
Thank you that you have called me to follow you.
Give me the grace and courage to say, “Yes”,
Not just today, but every day.
Give me the grace to desire you.
In desiring you, I would seek and find you
In finding you, I would love you
And in loving you,
I would hate the things that separate me from You.
I ask this in your holy name,
Amen.
This week's prayer tip is by David Andersen, who serves as the Leadership Development and Mentoring Ministry Program Director for all Resurrection locations. He is a life-long Kansas City native. He’s been married over 30 years and has two adult sons. He loves composing music, learning new things, writing, running, and creating spaces where people can encounter God.