The gentle waves of the Sea of Galilee shimmer in the morning light.
Fishermen clean their boats and mend their nets. Jesus walks along the shore, where the town’s economy hums.
He passes a customs booth, one of many stationed along the roads and docks. A man named Levi sits inside. His job: collect fees from merchants, fishermen, and travelers. Whereas the fishermen farm the waters, Levi farms taxes.
Everyone knows what tax collectors are. Parasites. Roman collaborators. Traitors who grow rich on their neighbors’ work.
Jesus stops, looks at Levi, and says two words. “Follow me.”
Levi puts down his stylus, stands up, and walks out of his booth—and all of the income it represents.
