Whether it's in film or another form of storytelling, we all fill in the blanks of the Bible. Think about when we tell of Jesus choosing his disciples. We realize we don't know much about them. Gospel accounts may offer information about their vocation. Particular names may appear so much that we draw conclusions about their attitudes and personalities. But that's all we can do.
Take Levi (Matthew) as an example. What does Luke tell us about him? Only that he was a tax collector. We know Levi hosted a dinner for Jesus after the Lord called him. Does that mean he was generous? Or was he hoping to score some points with the new teacher? Fill in the blanks.
There's something else we can, perhaps, know about Levi. When it's time to talk about Levi, preachers usually throw in something about tax collectors' reputations. People despised them. They stole from and cheated the people. John the Baptist warned them to stop collecting more than what they should (Luke 3:13). Were all tax collectors the same? Maybe not. But they do get lumped together with sinners and prostitutes.
At Levi's dinner, religious leaders join in the dining and mix in their grumbling. Questioning Jesus, they ask, "Why do you eat with tax collectors and sinners" (Luke 5:30)? Now, Jesus could've separated Levi at this point, indicating he wasn't a bad guy like people thought. Instead, he answered, in part, like this: I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (5:32).
So, for all practical purposes, it seems Levi was one of those sinners. But that's good news. Not only did Jesus come to lead them to repentance, Jesus even chose them as his disciples.
I'm struck by the conversations many of us have about discipleship. It's like discipleship is a graduate-level course of faith. It is not, of course. There's no filling in the blanks for Jesus. He knows who we are; God knows you by name. And with everything the Lord knows about you, the invitation remains the same: Follow me. You are a disciple of Jesus. Whatever your reputation was before, let your new life in Christ be what people know now.
Stay blessed...john | 
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