And Levi arose from the death of sin and followed him. And so that you might know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins, he went from there to the cross, where he died as the sacrifice for sin and rose from the grave so that all who believe in him would be raised to everlasting life. The big bang of the new creation has begun. See it as Levi rises from the power of sin to become Matthew, the disciple, the apostle, the gospel writer. See it as Jesus is risen from the tomb.
Death is swallowed up in victory.
This Jesus is the friend of sinners. This provides assurance for all who trust in him. Yes, I am a Levi, but that doesn't destroy hope. It was to Levi that Jesus came, and Jesus is the Messiah who has come with the power of new life. Mike's father and mother wanted him to come to church with them.