"If the LORD delights in a person's way, He makes their steps firm; though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD upholds them with His hand." (Psalm 37:23,24)

The Grand Narrative: “Levi/Matthew” (Mark 2:13-17)

“Levi/Matthew” (Mark 2:13-17)

Published 13 Jan. 2026

Scroll down for “Lessons Learned…”

Designed for Personal Bible Study or for Bible Teaching

💥 Lessons Learned – Sins / Failures

  • 1️⃣ Social prejudice can blind people to God’s redemptive work (Mk 2:16).
  • 2️⃣ Religious pride often mistakes separation for holiness (Mk 2:16).
  • 3️⃣ Judging people by their past keeps us from seeing God’s future for them (Matt 9:9).
  • 4️⃣ Clinging to respectability can prevent obedience to Jesus (Mk 2:14).
  • 5️⃣ Assuming “good people” don’t need God leads to spiritual blindness (Rom 3:10).

🏆 Lessons Learned – Successes / Spiritual Growth

  • 1️⃣ Jesus sees people not for who they were, but for who they can become (Mk 2:14).
  • 2️⃣ Immediate obedience opens the door to radical life transformation (Mk 2:14).
  • 3️⃣ Following Jesus may cost status, security, and reputation (Lk 5:28).
  • 4️⃣ Grace often begins at the table, not the pulpit (Mk 2:15).
  • 5️⃣ Those most aware of their sin are often most ready to respond to Jesus (Mk 2:17).

🧭 Lessons Learned – Leadership Dynamics

  • 1️⃣ Jesus-led leadership moves toward broken people, not away from them (Mk 2:15).
  • 2️⃣ Transformational leaders call people publicly and decisively (Mk 2:14).
  • 3️⃣ True leadership invites criticism when grace crosses social boundaries (Mk 2:16).
  • 4️⃣ Leaders must answer critics with truth, not defensiveness (Mk 2:17).
  • 5️⃣ God delights in leaders who raise up the unlikely (1 Cor 1:27).