Jesus Was Not Homeless, Part Three By Larry Huggins
February 14, 2022¡La Celebración Trae Elevación!
February 18, 2022
LEVI HOSTED A FEAST AT JESUS’ HOUSE
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. (Luke 5:29)
I’m aware that many sources say Levi prepared a feast in his own house. A close reading proves otherwise.
Before we talk about Levi, let’s look at the word company. Company means multitude. But notice it says, “a great multitude.” Imagine! Jesus’ house could accommodate — not just a multitude — but a great multitude!
How do we know the feast was Jesus’ house and not Levi’s? A casual reading may seem ambiguous. To put it in context, read the two preceding verses:
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. (Luke 5:27-28)
Check my logic. Jesus didn’t follow Levi. Levi followed Jesus. Jesus was at the height of popularity, and crowds followed Him everywhere.
Levi, on the other hand, was a tax collector. Tax collectors weren’t popular. They were hated by the Jews and despised by the Romans. I don’t doubt that Levi had money, but I doubt he had many friends. It’s unlikely his home was set up for entertaining huge groups.
We’ve already established Jesus’ house was large enough to seat a great company.
LEVI SWITCHED SIDES
As a tax collector, Levi was an opportunist. Seeing the popularity and influence that Jesus had, he assumed, as did most Jews, that Jesus would soon be crowned King and drive out the Romans. Where would that leave Levi? He had to do something big, and he had to do it fast.
What better way to send a message to the Romans and ingratiate himself with the Kingdom People than to sponsor a big banquet at Jesus’ house? What a clever guy!
Levi was broadcasting to the Romans and the Jews that he was switching sides. Having the feast at Jesus’ house would have sent a stronger message than having it at his own house. Doubtless, everyone got the message loud and clear — Levi is now a kingdom man!
Here’s a question for you: Do you suppose Levi was hoping to have a lucrative position in the New Kingdom?
This blog is one of a series of excerpts of my manuscript called Codex Rex — The Book of the King. Your comments and questions will help me improve the manuscript before publication.
Larry Huggins is a father, a husband, a pastor and a missionary, an author, and a broadcaster. He has traveled to scores of nations, planting churches and bible schools, and conducting seminars and evangelistic crusades.
4 Comments
I think that Levi was so undone in the Presence of Jesus that his former, opportunistic ways just evaporated. I believe that he became a “God Chase” in every sense of the word.”
Was it common practice in those days to sponsor a banquet in another person’s house? Is their a precedent for that in this day in age?
I love this series! It is amazing to me how the tradition of men clouds up the truth even when reading it in plain sight over and over. There are people who do not do critical thinking. Breaking this down as you have done not only teaches us the truth in each point you make but also teaches us how to properly apply critical thinking to any scripture. I have learned from You and Myles Munroe that TODAY’s Christian religion got it roots from Catholics as they were the prodominate religion and infact the translators of the Bible into English. I cannot remember which Pope it was but one did say that Christians are just wayward Catholics. My point is that perhaps you could have a chapter that covers why translators/religious people would want to keep Jesus’ poor, what would or did they profit or benefit from it. How has the hurt todays Church. I know this book is going to be the truth about the King but I wonder if leaving an open ending to perhaps sequil books would draw readers to want more?
Looking for the travel schedule I’d love to see him Larry again.