"And, after these things, he went forth and beheld a tax-collector, by name Levi, presiding over the tax-office; and said to him, Be following me! And, forsaking all, he arose and was following him." (Luke v. 27, 28.)
We observe in these words to Levi the positiveness that characterizes all the commands of the Master, and it is recorded that Levi forsook all. From the position he occupied, we see that his thought must have been that he must give diligent heed to the business the Master had called him to. We do not know how long he had held the office of tax-collector, but from the record we know that previous to the command he had made no preparation for a change of base. As positive and prompt as was the tone of the command, however, just so positive and prompt was this leaving of all.
This change was not merely outward; it involved an inward change—a sudden shutting off of the old or previous thought, by which he rose to a higher plane, receiving in the act the imprint of the Master. He followed him, by leaving all; a new path unexplored, new duties calling for new development of thought, awaited him.
