New Wine in Old Wineskins?

The call of Levi/Matthew is covered by Luke in one brief sentence. While nothing is recorded of any previous contact with Levi, the brevity of this encounter would suggest otherwise. The purpose of this contact is to set the scenario for the interaction and conflict between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees. The opposition continued to build, as Luke observes, and will result in Jesus' death on the cross.
As noted with the incidents preceding the text of this message, the contrast also focuses on what it looks like to follow Jesus, which He will address in Luke 14:33. To follow Jesus, one must renounce all he previously held dear. Peter, James, and John left all to follow Him. Now we read that Levi, "leaving everything, rose and followed Him." Sadly, many modern "believers' want Jesus to save them, but they prefer to live unto themselves. You can't have both.