For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Memory of the month: And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" —Luke 24:32
Today's reading: JUDGES 7-8 LUKE 5:1-16
Levi
During the time of the Nazi regime in Europe, Jews were taken captive in great numbers and the Germans did not want to waste manpower so they enlisted Jews to 'ride herd' on their own. They were given special privileges and promises but were feared and hated by many of the other Jews. They were seen as minions of the Nazi oppressors and considered the lowest by their fellow Jews. They were called 'Judenrats' or 'kapo' and were ostricized and some excommunicated from Judaism after the war.
The Romans were the oppressors at the time of Jesus and the tax collectors at the time were Jews who collected for the Romans. They would have been called 'Judenrats'. Jesus calls one such as a disciple. His name was Levi and known to us as Matthew. The Jewish leaders could not believe Jesus would even be near a Judenrat. So why did Jesus do it?
This greatest miracle is many times overlooked in the midst of Jesus healing the lame and the blind and feeding the multitudes so we must see it for what it is: Reaching out and offering salvation and and place in God's family to the lowest of all-the servant of the enemy.
We have many today who want us all silenced. They spend millions to combat God's righteous causes and it is not easy for us to see past their hate and yearn for their souls to come to a saving knowledge of Christ-but it is a command from our Lord.
Matthew 5: 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
In the same breath, Jesus says: 46 "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
At that moment, what do you think Matthew felt when he heard Jesus say those words about what he once did for the oppressors, the Romans?
"Even the tax collectors..."? Really?
Matthew was free. He had been hand picked by Jesus to be one of His closest people. He had been forgiven all his sins and accepted into a group of twelve men who would change the world forever by the power of God in Christ. What a miracle!
Two thousand years later we come along and the Holy Spirit calls us out of whatever we are doing and as we accept in faith, He says to us, "All your sins are forgiven and you are free-your name is forever in my book. You will never again be in danger of judgement for who you are. I will never remember your sins-ever. You are free to love as I love and live and move and have your being in me. I have marked you with the Holy Spirit and He is with you constantly. Nothing can ever pull you out of my hand as you follow me and do my work. My peace, My power, My joy are all yours to do my work!"
Life is hard and it is hard to imagine our lives as miracles some days but that is exactly what they are-miracles of God. Jesus told the Pharisees that they would see no signs except that of Jonah referring to His three days and nights in the tomb and then His resurrection. They demanded a sign or miracle. Jesus gave them a miracle. They did not recognize it until after, if at all, but any who see it for what it is are all part of that miracle-our salvation in Christ because of His resurrection-His blood and body on Calvary-His dying for each of us individually.
I get it. We may not 'feel' like a miracle but we are. We are bought and paid for by His blood. We are declared co-heirs with Christ. We are born of the Spirit.
Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.…
We must pray for those who want us gone-that they do not neglect this miracle offered to them-this greatest miracle. They can know this as Levi(Matthew) did...
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me for judging my enemies and not loving them. Open my heart to them amd let me love them as You do.
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