5 Day Devotional: The Heart of Christ, The Call of Disciples
Day 1: The Heart of Christ for Sinners
Reading – Mark 2:13–17 (ESV)
13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.
14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.
16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Devotional
In a single moment, Jesus looked beyond Levi’s label—“tax collector”—and saw his heart. To everyone else, Levi was a traitor and a sinner, someone to avoid. But to Jesus, he was a man worth redeeming. Jesus’ choice to dine with Levi’s friends broke cultural and religious norms, revealing God’s radical compassion.
We often fall into the Pharisees’ mindset, judging others by appearance or reputation. But Jesus sees the heart and moves toward the hurting. His mission is to seek and save the lost. This challenges us to love the overlooked, forgive the broken, and welcome those society rejects.
Reflection
Where have I been tempted to judge others by their reputation or past rather than seeing them through Christ’s eyes?
How has Jesus shown His compassion to me personally, and how can that shape the way I treat others?
Response
Write down the names of two people in your life who may feel judged or excluded. Commit to pray for them this week.
Ask God to reveal one tangible act of kindness you can show them as a reflection of His heart.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for seeing past my failures and loving me as I am. Help me see others through Your eyes of mercy and compassion. Break down my pride and prejudice so I can welcome the overlooked and extend grace to the broken. In Your name, Amen.
Day 2: From Sinner to Disciple
Reading – Luke 5:27–32 (ESV)
27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.”
28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.
30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Devotional
Levi’s immediate response—“leaving everything, he rose and followed him”—is a picture of true discipleship. Jesus didn’t ask Levi to clean up his life first; He simply invited him to follow. Levi’s willingness to walk away from his lucrative post shows the power of Christ’s call to transform hearts.
What might Jesus be calling you to leave behind? It could be a habit, a mindset, or a source of comfort that competes with your devotion to Him. The call of Christ is always toward life, freedom, and purpose.
Reflection
What “tax booth” in my life might I need to step away from in order to follow Jesus fully?
How does Levi’s immediate obedience challenge my own response to Christ’s call?
Response
Identify one area of your life where you need to surrender more fully to Christ—write it down and pray over it daily.
Share your commitment with a trusted friend or mentor for accountability.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to follow You. Give me the courage to leave behind anything that hinders my obedience. Teach me to respond to You with the same immediacy and trust that Levi showed. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Day 3: The Mission of Mercy
Reading – Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:9–13 (ESV)
Hosea 6:6
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Matthew 9:9–13
9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Devotional
Jesus quotes Hosea to reveal God’s heart—He delights more in mercy than in outward religious performance. The Pharisees thought that strict rule-keeping made them righteous, but Jesus showed that true righteousness flows from a heart that reflects God’s mercy.
When we focus on appearances or rituals over compassion, we miss God’s heart. Mercy restores, lifts up, and welcomes the broken. This is the mission Jesus calls us to embrace.
Reflection
Where in my walk with Christ have I emphasized outward performance more than showing mercy?
Who in my life needs to experience the mercy of God through me today?
Response
Ask the Lord to show you one relationship where you can demonstrate mercy today—perhaps forgiving someone or offering help without expecting anything in return.
Memorize Hosea 6:6 as a reminder that God values mercy over sacrifice.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your mercy toward me. Forgive me for the times I have valued appearances over compassion. Help me extend Your mercy to others today and live in a way that reflects Your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 4: The Great Physician
Reading – Luke 5:31–32; Isaiah 53:4–5 (ESV)
Luke 5:31–32
31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Isaiah 53:4–5
4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Devotional
Sin is more than bad behavior—it is a deep sickness of the soul. Jesus came as the Great Physician, not to condemn us, but to heal us. Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would bear our sickness and heal our wounds through His suffering.
Are there areas of sin, brokenness, or pain that you’ve hidden from Jesus? He already knows them and longs to bring healing and freedom.
Reflection
What hidden wounds or sins in my life do I need to bring to Jesus for healing today?
How does remembering that Jesus is my Great Physician change the way I approach confession and repentance?
Response
Take time today to confess specific sins or burdens to the Lord and ask for His healing grace.
Journal about one way you’ve experienced Christ’s healing in your life and thank Him for it.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the Great Physician who heals my soul. I bring my sins, wounds, and fears to You today. Heal me by Your mercy and give me the courage to walk in the freedom You purchased for me. In Your name, Amen.
Day 5: Extending the Table of Grace
Reading – Luke 14:12–14; Romans 15:5–7 (ESV)
Luke 14:12–14
12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid.
13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Romans 15:5–7
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Devotional
After meeting Jesus, Levi threw a banquet to introduce his friends to the Savior. His table became a place of grace. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to open our lives—and sometimes our literal tables—to others who need to experience His love.
Hospitality is a powerful witness of the gospel. Extending our table isn’t about impressing others; it’s about welcoming the overlooked and making space for people to encounter Christ through us.
Reflection
Who in my life may feel excluded or unwelcome and needs to experience Christ’s love?
How can I use my home, time, or presence to create a “table of grace” for others?
Response
Plan one intentional act of hospitality this month—invite someone new for a meal, coffee, or conversation.
Pray for boldness and joy in welcoming others, especially those outside your usual circle.
Prayer
Father, thank You for welcoming me into Your family through Jesus. Help me to extend that same grace to others. Show me opportunities to invite people into Your presence and use my life as a table of grace for those who need You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reading – Mark 2:13–17 (ESV)
13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.
14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.
16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Devotional
In a single moment, Jesus looked beyond Levi’s label—“tax collector”—and saw his heart. To everyone else, Levi was a traitor and a sinner, someone to avoid. But to Jesus, he was a man worth redeeming. Jesus’ choice to dine with Levi’s friends broke cultural and religious norms, revealing God’s radical compassion.
We often fall into the Pharisees’ mindset, judging others by appearance or reputation. But Jesus sees the heart and moves toward the hurting. His mission is to seek and save the lost. This challenges us to love the overlooked, forgive the broken, and welcome those society rejects.
Reflection
Where have I been tempted to judge others by their reputation or past rather than seeing them through Christ’s eyes?
How has Jesus shown His compassion to me personally, and how can that shape the way I treat others?
Response
Write down the names of two people in your life who may feel judged or excluded. Commit to pray for them this week.
Ask God to reveal one tangible act of kindness you can show them as a reflection of His heart.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for seeing past my failures and loving me as I am. Help me see others through Your eyes of mercy and compassion. Break down my pride and prejudice so I can welcome the overlooked and extend grace to the broken. In Your name, Amen.
Day 2: From Sinner to Disciple
Reading – Luke 5:27–32 (ESV)
27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.”
28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.
30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Devotional
Levi’s immediate response—“leaving everything, he rose and followed him”—is a picture of true discipleship. Jesus didn’t ask Levi to clean up his life first; He simply invited him to follow. Levi’s willingness to walk away from his lucrative post shows the power of Christ’s call to transform hearts.
What might Jesus be calling you to leave behind? It could be a habit, a mindset, or a source of comfort that competes with your devotion to Him. The call of Christ is always toward life, freedom, and purpose.
Reflection
What “tax booth” in my life might I need to step away from in order to follow Jesus fully?
How does Levi’s immediate obedience challenge my own response to Christ’s call?
Response
Identify one area of your life where you need to surrender more fully to Christ—write it down and pray over it daily.
Share your commitment with a trusted friend or mentor for accountability.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to follow You. Give me the courage to leave behind anything that hinders my obedience. Teach me to respond to You with the same immediacy and trust that Levi showed. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Day 3: The Mission of Mercy
Reading – Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:9–13 (ESV)
Hosea 6:6
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Matthew 9:9–13
9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Devotional
Jesus quotes Hosea to reveal God’s heart—He delights more in mercy than in outward religious performance. The Pharisees thought that strict rule-keeping made them righteous, but Jesus showed that true righteousness flows from a heart that reflects God’s mercy.
When we focus on appearances or rituals over compassion, we miss God’s heart. Mercy restores, lifts up, and welcomes the broken. This is the mission Jesus calls us to embrace.
Reflection
Where in my walk with Christ have I emphasized outward performance more than showing mercy?
Who in my life needs to experience the mercy of God through me today?
Response
Ask the Lord to show you one relationship where you can demonstrate mercy today—perhaps forgiving someone or offering help without expecting anything in return.
Memorize Hosea 6:6 as a reminder that God values mercy over sacrifice.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your mercy toward me. Forgive me for the times I have valued appearances over compassion. Help me extend Your mercy to others today and live in a way that reflects Your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 4: The Great Physician
Reading – Luke 5:31–32; Isaiah 53:4–5 (ESV)
Luke 5:31–32
31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Isaiah 53:4–5
4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Devotional
Sin is more than bad behavior—it is a deep sickness of the soul. Jesus came as the Great Physician, not to condemn us, but to heal us. Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would bear our sickness and heal our wounds through His suffering.
Are there areas of sin, brokenness, or pain that you’ve hidden from Jesus? He already knows them and longs to bring healing and freedom.
Reflection
What hidden wounds or sins in my life do I need to bring to Jesus for healing today?
How does remembering that Jesus is my Great Physician change the way I approach confession and repentance?
Response
Take time today to confess specific sins or burdens to the Lord and ask for His healing grace.
Journal about one way you’ve experienced Christ’s healing in your life and thank Him for it.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the Great Physician who heals my soul. I bring my sins, wounds, and fears to You today. Heal me by Your mercy and give me the courage to walk in the freedom You purchased for me. In Your name, Amen.
Day 5: Extending the Table of Grace
Reading – Luke 14:12–14; Romans 15:5–7 (ESV)
Luke 14:12–14
12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid.
13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Romans 15:5–7
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Devotional
After meeting Jesus, Levi threw a banquet to introduce his friends to the Savior. His table became a place of grace. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to open our lives—and sometimes our literal tables—to others who need to experience His love.
Hospitality is a powerful witness of the gospel. Extending our table isn’t about impressing others; it’s about welcoming the overlooked and making space for people to encounter Christ through us.
Reflection
Who in my life may feel excluded or unwelcome and needs to experience Christ’s love?
How can I use my home, time, or presence to create a “table of grace” for others?
Response
Plan one intentional act of hospitality this month—invite someone new for a meal, coffee, or conversation.
Pray for boldness and joy in welcoming others, especially those outside your usual circle.
Prayer
Father, thank You for welcoming me into Your family through Jesus. Help me to extend that same grace to others. Show me opportunities to invite people into Your presence and use my life as a table of grace for those who need You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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