Jesus invited Peter, Andrew, James, and John away from their fishing boats and nets to follow Him. After likewise calling the customs collector Matthew (Levi) away from his post, Jesus gladly ate at his house among tax collectors and sinners. Desperate to get close to Jesus, four men lowered a paralytic through the roof. Scribes regarded His forgiveness of the paralytic’s sins as blasphemy but could not dispute the Lord’s authority when He enabled the man to pick up his mat and walk. Teaching with incomparable wisdom, banishing an unclean spirit from a man in the synagogue, and healing many others convinced people of Jesus’ authority. His fame spread. When the Lord retreated to deserted places, people still found Him. How hard do we try to get close to the Lord, who happily does more for us than we ask?