“I’d love to give that Levi fellow a piece of my mind but he’s cozy with the powerful Roman Government. I’ll have to keep my mouth shut. He’s got his little tax booth there with his big money chest and all his ledgers. He collects taxes on everything. Road tolls, town dues, imports and exports, taxes on axles and wheels, admission to markets, pack animals, licenses for just about everything. I’m sure he invents taxes and penalties to charge us – just like all the other Mokhes! It’s not just the money that he pockets himself but it drives me bonkers that every time we pass by his booth, we have to unload and unpack everything. Every bale and every package …. Well, he noses his way through everything, even our private letters.”

But recently in Capernaum there had been quite a stir. A Man called Jesus was doing amazing things. Frowning townsfolk were being changed into happy people. Physically challenged teenagers were healed. Visually challenged women had their sight restored. The hearing impaired could now hear a pin drop. Not too long ago, several bigwigs in the fishing industry, packed it all in, called it quits and happily followed Jesus.

Levi, the hated tax collector, the little Mokhes, must have been aware of the positive upheaval in his town. Did he long to have his wicked grin replaced with a peaceful smile and satisfaction within? But he was the scum of the earth, the bottom-of-the-barrel type of person – the least loved person in the town. Jesus wouldn’t bother with him.

And then it happened.

The Lord Jesus was approaching the toll booth. Levi was sitting in his usual spot. The chest lid was open and the money was piling up. Jesus looked at the booth and into the booth. What a moment when their eyes connected. I wonder if there was a rush – a surge of excitement deep within Levi’s chest. And then …. the lips of the Master started to form words. I wonder if someone in the crowd asked: “Shhh! What was it He said? I am sure I heard Him say to that Mokhes – ‘Follow Me!’.” “No,” another may have responded, “it couldn’t be. He would never want a scoundrel like that among his followers!” The other said: “But I’m sure that’s what He said. I could read His lips.”

Sure enough, Levi starts to move. He stands up from his office chair. Closes the till. Locks up the booth. Steps away from it. He walks towards Jesus. And then Jesus started walking again and guess who was following Him? Levi! He left everything behind and started his life long walk with the Lord. He responded to the Master’s call and command: “Follow Me.”

Do you think Levi (or as we know him Matthew) had any regrets that he left it all behind to follow the Lord? That same wicked scoundrel by the grace of God and the transforming power of Christ, later wrote the first of the four Gospels – Matthew. He wrote about Christ the King. He would never forget that day when he stepped down off not only the toll booth stool, but stepped down off the throne of his heart and crowned Christ as the King of his life. No longer would he reign and rule in his life – Christ would reign forever.

Have you ever responded to His command: “Follow Me!”? Are you willing to get up off the stool you’ve been sitting on? Are you willing to step down off the throne of your heart and to crown Christ as King of your life? Who are you following today – your own instincts, your own desires? Are you ready to surrender to Christ and follow Him?

Take 60 seconds just now to click on this link and get a great song in your head and in your heart: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/s/isurrend.htm