What does the Bible say about the calling of Levi?

In Luke 5:27-32, we see the calling of Levi, also known as Matthew, who was a publican, or tax collector. Levi was engaged in a profession that was often despised by his own people because tax collectors worked for the Roman oppressors and often extorted their fellow Jews. Yet, despite his reputation, Jesus saw Levi and called him to follow Him, highlighting God's grace that reaches out to the lost and sinful. Jesus explicitly states, 'I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,' which underscores the heart of the Gospel: that Christ came to save those who are spiritually sick and in need of His healing touch. This narrative illustrates the profound truth that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace, and it reinforces the sovereign nature of Christ's calling in the lives of His chosen ones.