DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Entry-Level
Requirements: St. Mark 2:14-17, especially vs. 15: “Now
it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors
and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were
many, and they followed Him.”
Tomorrow, at the
Notice: becoming a disciple of Christ does not arise from us. Levi was at his work, and Jesus called
him. We are free to say
“yes” or “no,” but He initiates, even if it seems to us
that we do. The Lord even calls
infants. The first act of the
Baptismal Mystery refers to the call of every candidate. The Priest lays his hand upon the one to
be Baptized and says, “In Thy Name, O Lord God of truth, and in the Name
of Thine Only-begotten Son, and of Thy Holy Spirit, I lay my hand upon Thy
servant, who hath been found worthy to flee unto Thy Holy Name.”
Acting in the Name of the Lord Jesus, the Priest declares that the one
on whom he lays his hand has “been found worthy.” The Church deems us worthy of
Baptism. “The natural man
does not receive the things of the Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:14). But the Church has the mind of Christ,
her Head, by the action of the Holy Spirit, (1 Cor. 2:16). Thus, the Lord Jesus calls. Children of Orthodox families are apt to
mature in the Church; and, by the grace of Baptism, they are likely in time to
hear the Shepherd’s voice as well as do adult Orthodox Christians (Jn.
10:4).
Following Christ is the second, entry-level requirement for
Christians. Neither saying one is a
Christian, nor being so called, makes one a follower of Christ. It is action, not a label. One has to
respond to Jesus as Levi did. You
have to do something, not just speak pious words. As Shakespeare said,
“...‘tis a kind of good deed to say well: and yet words are not
deeds.”[1] Beloved, our Lord contends that
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the
Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven” (Mt. 7:21).
Hence, disciples are those who act as the Lord Jesus calls (Jn.
14:15). Look at today’s
reading: the Lord said to Levi, “Follow me” (Mk. 2:14). How do we know Levi obeyed? Because St. Mark adds that “he
arose and followed Him” (Mk. 2:14).
What is more, Levi continued to follow Him, for the first Gospel was
written by Levi using his other name, “Matthew.” Listen to
Finally, it is a given: God loves sinners, for He drew His disciples
from their ranks. Look at the last
verse of today’s reading: “I did not come to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance” (Mk. 2:17). There is room for you and me at the
table!
The wonder of Christ our God is manifested in this, that He is forgiving
of all the failures and sins of mankind: our fraud, intimidation, fear, failure
to trust Him, falling asleep, running away, losing hope, petty jealousy,
adultery, theft, murder, every sort of trespass. But reread verse 17. Although He loves sinners and forgives,
His call specifically directs us to the life of repentance. Godly sorrow produces diligence to clear
oneself (2 Cor. 7:11). Speaking of
repentance,
O Christ our God, grant us the gift of true repentance that we may follow Thee worthily.