Dangerous Questions: A 5-Day Reading Plan by Brenna BlainSample

Day Two: Just As You Are

The day I read—I mean truly read—a section of Mark 2, I was shocked to see myself in it.

Two groups of people were viewed as the worst of the worst in Jewish society during Jesus’ time on earth: tax collectors and those known as “sinners.” Tax collectors sold their souls to work for Rome, often abusing the power the ruling authorities gave them. And yet, here is how Jesus interacted with one of them:

As [Jesus] walked along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for many followed him. (Mark 2:14–15)

I imagine some Jews watched eagerly, counting on the wrath of Christ to call out Levi for his iniquities. But Christ invited him closer.

Did Levi admit to his sin first? No.

Did he apologize for aiding in corruption? No.

Did he ask Christ to make him clean? No, at least not at that moment.

The call of Christ in Mark 2 is radical, offensive, and completely unexpected. Jesus, however, wasn’t looking for the morally “put together.” Those were not the people in desperate need of Him. Jesus sought out those who had dug their own graves, who couldn’t remove the tar from their bones, and who were marked as incompatible.

When I recognized myself in Mark 2, I saw that Jesus invites everyone to experience Him. To sit down and have a meal with Him. To ask Him hard questions. And to do so before He requires our obedience.

I am inviting you to dare to be your full self, like the tax collector who shared a meal with the God-Man.

To be willing to say that thing and ask that question.

To be okay with causing the religious leaders to question, “What is happening?”

Get to know the Jesus who eats with prostitutes and tax collectors. The Jesus who creates safe spaces because of who He is. The Jesus who invites you, just as you are, to step closer to Him.

Response:

What would it look like for you to step closer to Jesus right now?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for inviting me to come to You just as I am. Help me to embrace Your love and grace, even when I feel unworthy. May I draw closer to You with all my questions and fears. Amen.