My name is Levi. My occupation has me right on the same level as prostitutes and traitors. In the eyes of my fellow Jews, I am nothing more than someone who sells his soul to the devil. I’m a tax collector. I’m good with numbers. I know how to calculate and keep good records, but because of my job, am considered an outcast by those of my own faith. The reputation has resulted from what some of my fellow tax collectors have done to deceive their friends, acquaintances and even relatives. When they compute the Roman tax, they pad the bill just enough to make it lucrative for themselves. I am an honest man. I wouldn’t think of cheating anyone, yet they look at me with a holier than thou attitude. They’ve judged me without even knowing me.

I sit at my place in the market and collect taxes. Even though my job is thankless, I like to think I’m making an honest living. As I sit and wait for each person to come forward and pay what is due, I often catch a glimpse of this fellow, Jesus. He has made His way through the streets of Jerusalem, preaching and teaching a new form of religion. He speaks about compassion and love for our neighbors. Even though most of the crowd is out for themselves, He seems to find good in everyone. He once shared a story about a tax collector and a Pharisee. Jesus made it clear that the Pharisee was all show and no action when he prayed. His prayer was that God would credit him with all the good he was doing for his people. He counted his own works as payment for the bad he had done. The tax collector in the story prayed humbly, asking for God’s forgiveness, knowing that he would be forgiven. His faith in God to forgive without merit led to a positive answer.

Jesus’ parable made me stop and think. His words made sense and yet were so full of grace. I wondered how one like me could possibly inherit the kingdom He spoke of. I’d often looked at God as a fearsome judge, but Jesus was referring to Him as a loving father. I became a follower. I even invited Jesus and His friends to join me at my house for dinner. Well, you can imagine the uproar that created. Now Jesus was being accused of being a blasphemer by associating with the lowest of the low.

I gave up my job. I followed Jesus. I walked with Him and His disciples and never turned back. I realized that He was the promised Messiah who came to save the world.