In Luke chapter 5, we find a powerful story of transformation when Jesus calls Matthew (also known as Levi) from his tax collector's booth. This encounter teaches us valuable lessons about true discipleship and sharing our faith with others.

What Does Immediate Obedience Look Like?

When Jesus simply said "Follow me" to Matthew, the response was immediate and complete. Matthew left everything - his lucrative career, security, and old way of life - to follow Jesus. This demonstrates the kind of wholehearted surrender that Jesus calls us to. While many of us might hesitate or need more convincing, Matthew's immediate obedience shows what it means to truly trust Jesus's call.

How Do We Share Our Faith with Others?

Matthew's first response after following Jesus was to throw a great feast and invite his fellow tax collectors and friends. This teaches us several key principles about evangelism:

• Use what you have (your home, resources, relationships) to introduce others to Jesus
• People are more likely to respond to invitations from friends than strangers
• Sharing your faith doesn't require complex theology - simply share what Jesus has done in your life
• Research shows that 47% of unchurched people would attend if invited by a friend

Barna Group. Five Trends Among the Unchurched. Barna, 2014. https://www.barna.com/research/five-trends-among-the-unchurched.

What's The Difference Between Religion and Relationship?

The Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners, revealing their religious pride. This highlights important contrasts:

• Religion focuses on outward appearances and judgment
• True faith focuses on transformation and loving others
• Many people avoid church due to religious hypocrisy
• Jesus came for the sick and sinful, not the self-righteous

Life Application

Consider these questions this week:

• Who in your life needs to know Jesus?
• What's holding you back from inviting others to church?
• Are you living authentically so others can see Christ in you?

Challenge: This week, identify one person in your life who needs Jesus. Pray for an opportunity to share your faith story with them or invite them to church. Remember, evangelism happens in everyday moments - over meals, during work, or in casual conversations. Don't wait for a special event or program.

The key is to live authentically, love genuinely, and be ready to share how Jesus has transformed your life. Like Matthew, we're called not just to follow Christ ourselves, but to bring others to Him as well.