Joy

13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Lord, you draw those who are lost in sin. The joy of being in Your presence is so much greater for those who have strayed and been away from You. You are healer, and You heal the deepest wounds of the heart. Levi must have invited his friends with such excitement. He would have told them to come and meet this man who had seen him and called him in love. He would have shared his joy at finding You. They would have laughed and listened to Your stories, and had the best time!

The Pharisees were probably so confused. Here You were spending time with people who were so unworthy. You brought joy into joyless hearts that would welcome You, but you couldn't bring joy to hearts that were puffed up with self-righteousness. What sad people, those that can't see Your love and embrace it. 

Help me always to see my littleness, and my need for You. 

I Love You, Jesus