An insight on the conversion of Levi in Luke 5:27-32, suggested by my wife: Levi is called away from his tax booth, leaves everything to follow Jesus, and in the very next scene is hosting a banquet. There are two dimensions to this: first, Levi leaves a profession notorious for greedy taking and begins to give (like Zaccheus); second, Levi’s discipleship not only means that he is given a place at the Lord’s table, but also that he becomes a generous host at his own table. For Luke, conversion to Christ means imitating Christ by opening our tables in hospitality.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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