With the story of Levi, we find the example of the hospitality of a public “sinner”-turned-disciple. In the Gospel of Luke 5:27-32, we have the calling of Levi, whom tradition identifies as one of the Apostles, Matthew Levi. As a “tax collector” (5:27), Levi would have been viewed as a public sinner: someone who was corrupt and a collaborator with the enemy, the Roman Empire. Jesus, nonetheless, called Levi to follow Him (5:27). In response, Levi demonstrated great hospitality; he not only welcomed Jesus into his home, but he also “made him a great feast in his house” (5:29). The Gospel of Luke specifies that there was a great crowd in Levi’s house, which included “a large company of tax collectors” (5:29).
A controversy broke out at this feast, but one important point to highlight is that Jesus was eating and drinking with the guests at the feast (5:29). The hospitality of Levi welcomed not only Jesus and His disciples into his home but also a large company of others, who, as those known publicly as sinners (e.g., tax collectors), needed Jesus. Even some of the scribes and Pharisees were present (5:30). Levi’s hospitality thus opened the way for many to have an encounter with Jesus.
