Jesus in the Midst

Luke 5:29  "Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them."

Levi "left all", rose up and followed Jesus. Next we find him making a great feast in his "own house" with Jesus and many of his friends. So what did it mean that he "left all". We assume he left his job as a tax-collector. But is it possible that the leaving was a departure from what had been his life without Jesus?  He left his old life and the next thing we know is that those things that he had accumulated, including his home and his friends had Jesus in the middle of them.

Jesus is interested in what has the attention and focus of our heart. In our "leaving" of our old stuff, He may ask us to sacrifice some tangible life benefits. But I think what He is most interested in is whether or not we are willing to place Him in the center of everything we have - including our relationships. We know that Peter "left everything", but still seemed to have his boat, his family, his home, etc.  But Jesus became the center of what these disciples were about.

Jesus, where I have held control and left you out, please forgive me. My prayer is that in my home, my meals, my friendships, my efforts and the focus of my life, You will be found in the center.