Leave Your Booth Behind | Mark 2:13-14

05/13/25 • 3 min

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

We are in the Gospel of Mark. Visit the website and purchase the Scripture Journal for this study so that you can follow along with us.

I am giving a shout-out today to Tony Wendt from Neenah, WI. Thank you for being a monthly partner in Project23 and helping us share the Gospel with millions as we work our way through the entire Bible.

Today, we’re looking at Mark 2:13-14:

He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 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. — Mark 2:13-14

Levi wasn’t looking for Jesus. He was busy doing what he always did—collecting taxes, padding his pockets, ripping off his own people. He was despised by people. Rejected by locals. Labeled a traitor. The guy nobody thought Jesus would want, Jesus wanted.

Jesus walks right up to him and says two words that changed everything: "Follow me."

No elaborate speech. No warning to his present posse. No preconditions to the call. Just a command that cuts through the shame, guilt, and isolation.

And Levi responds. Immediately. He doesn’t overthink it, unlike many others. He doesn’t argue with a man he doesn't even know. He just gets up and goes.

That’s what happens when Jesus calls. He sees beyond your past. He sees beyond your reputation. He calls you to leave your booth behind—whatever old life you’ve been sitting in—and walk into a brand-new identity.

If you’re wondering whether Jesus could ever want someone like you, remember Levi. You’re exactly the kind of person Jesus came to call.

So, what booth are you still sitting in today? It’s time to leave it behind, get up, and follow Jesus.

#FollowMe, #NewIdentity, #Project23

ASK THIS:

What old identity have you been clinging to that Jesus is calling you to leave behind?
How would you respond if Jesus said "Follow me" to you right now?
What fears keep you seated instead of standing up to follow?
Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus calls outsiders like Levi?

DO THIS:

Identify one “booth” you’re stuck at—some place where shame, fear, or comfort is keeping you seated. Stand up. Take one step today toward following Jesus more fully.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, thank you for seeing me when others overlook me. Give me the courage to leave behind anything that holds me back from following you. Amen

PLAY THIS:

I Thank God.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

We are in the Gospel of Mark. Visit the website and purchase the Scripture Journal for this study so that you can follow along with us.

Today, we’re looking at Mark 2:13-14:

Jesus walks right up to him and says two words that changed everything: "Follow me."

No elaborate speech. No warning to his present posse. No preconditions to the call. Just a command that cuts through the shame, guilt, and isolation.

And Levi responds. Immediately. He doesn’t overthink it, unlike many others. He doesn’t argue with a man he doesn't even know. He just gets up and goes.

If you’re wondering whether Jesus could ever want someone like you, remember Levi. You’re exactly the kind of person Jesus came to call.

So, what booth are you still sitting in today? It’s time to leave it behind, get up, and follow Jesus.

#FollowMe, #NewIdentity, #Project23

ASK THIS:

What old identity have you been clinging to that Jesus is calling you to leave behind?
How would you respond if Jesus said "Follow me" to you right now?
What fears keep you seated instead of standing up to follow?
Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus calls outsiders like Levi?

DO THIS:

Identify one “booth” you’re stuck at—some place where shame, fear, or comfort is keeping you seated. Stand up. Take one step today toward following Jesus more fully.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, thank you for seeing me when others overlook me. Give me the courage to leave behind anything that holds me back from following you. Amen

PLAY THIS:

I Thank God.

Previous Episode

Beyond Healing: The Deeper Miracle | Mark 2:6-12

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

We are in the Gospel of Mark. Visit the website and purchase the Scripture Journal for this study so that you can follow along with us.

I am giving a shout-out today to Rob Reed from Perham, MN. Thank you for being a monthly partner in Project23 and helping us share the Gospel with millions as we work our way through the entire Bible.

Today, we’re reading Mark 2:6-12:

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” — Mark 2:6-12

It looked like a healing story. It sounded like a healing story. But Jesus was doing way more than healing legs—He was forgiving sins.

The scribes caught it. And they hated it. "Who does this man think he is? Only God can forgive sins!" Exactly. That’s the whole point.

Jesus reads their minds. Calls them out. He forces the issue: Which is easier to say—"your sins are forgiven" or "get up and walk"? From a human view, both are impossible. But for Jesus? He can do both. So he does both. He heals the body to prove his authority over the soul.

Jesus isn’t just a good teacher, a moral man, or a first-century miracle worker. He’s God. In the flesh. With authority over everything.

And when Jesus speaks—things happen. Sins are stricken. Muscles are strengthened. Religious officials are irritated. Crowds stand in wonder. Because Jesus doesn’t just fix external symptoms—he fixes the internal problems with the soul.

So, are you experiencing external symptoms of internal problems? Bring them to Jesus. He goes beyond healing. He heals everything.

#AuthorityOfChrist, #ForgivenAndHealed, #MarkStudy

ASK THIS:

What secret doubt or sin have you been hiding from others—and from God?
How does Jesus’ ability to read your heart change how you approach him in prayer?
In what area of your life do you need both forgiveness and tangible healing?
What step of faith can you take today to trust Jesus’ authority over your soul?

DO THIS:

Identify one hidden struggle in your heart and bring it to Jesus today—confess it, trust his forgiveness, and believe for healing.

PRAY THIS:

Lord Jesus, I lay my hidden sins and deepest hurts before you. Forgive me, heal me, and reveal your authority in every part of my life. Amen

PLAY THIS:

Gratitude.

Next Episode

Meet and Eat with Jesus | Mark 2:15-17

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

We are in the Gospel of Mark. Visit the website and purchase the Scripture Journal for this study so that you can follow along with us.

I am giving a shout-out today to Rock Woods from Roseburg, OR. Thank you for being a monthly partner in Project23 and helping us share the Gospel with millions as we work our way through the entire Bible.

Today, we’re looking at Mark 2:15-17:

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. 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?” 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.” — Mark 2:15-17

Jesus didn’t come for the perfect. He came for the broken.

While the religious elite judged from a distance, Jesus pulled up a chair—shared a meal with people everyone else wrote off.

He didn’t dodge messy lives. He walked straight into them.

When the Pharisees complained, Jesus shut it down with one bold line:

“Those who are well don’t need a physician—only the sick do. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

He wasn’t excusing a sinner's sin. He was calling them out of it. But first, he met them where they were—over a table, in real conversation, starting with grace and leading to a challenge.

Jesus’ table was—and still is—a place of invitation and transformation. And it’s wide open for you. Will you come to the table and eat?

And if you know Jesus, act like him. Carefully consider with whom you are meeting with and eating with today. Who needs to see Jesus’ love through the way you live and love?

#graceatthetable, #dailydevotional, #callofsinners

ASK THIS:

Who in your life feels unwelcome at your table?
When have you judged rather than joined someone in their struggle?
How can you extend grace before pointing out faults today?
What’s one small way you can meet someone “where they are”?

DO THIS:

Invite someone you’d normally avoid to lunch or coffee this week and offer them compassion and direction, not only correction.

PRAY THIS:

Lord Jesus, thank you for meeting me in my mess and offering to heal before I ever had it together. Give me the courage to pull up a chair for others and love them with your grace. Amen

PLAY THIS:

Come As You Are.