We’re continuing to look at the group of men Jesus chose to train and teach, with the end goal that they would go preach His message. They were an interesting mix with widely different backgrounds, temperaments, and even politics. But we can learn some important things about how to follow Jesus from each of them. Today we’ll look at Matthew, the guy who (aside from Judas) may have been the worst choice among them, at least on the surface. But Jesus knew exactly what He was doing as always.
We know Matthew was a publican, but like other familiar details in Scripture, we may read over it with stopping to consider it. Mark and Luke give his name as Levi. In the Old Testament, Levi was one of the sons of Jacob. The tribe of Levi was the priestly one, set apart by God to serve Him in His tabernacle and later His temple. We don’t know what tribe Matthew belonged to but his name is about as authentic an Israelite name as they come.
Now add to that information the prevailing attitude toward the Roman occupiers. The Jews hated them. They were degenerate. They were unclean. They were disrespectful, even profane. They exemplified the worst of everything. And the taxes required to be paid to the Roman emperor who blasphemously saw himself as a god were a despised reminder of Rome.
Taxes collectors, publicans, had the authority to collect over and above what Rome required and keep the difference. They could use Roman soldiers to enforce their tax collection, so they got rich, very rich at the expense of their neighbors. Further these guys were not impressed into service. They paid a handsome franchise fee for the privilege of being a tax collector. Once they did, though, they were essentially disowned by polite society. So what kind of Jew would collaborate with the Romans to see to it that taxes were collected?
Well, a Jew like Matthew.
Matthew didn’t hesitate to follow
But Jesus saw much more. In Mark 2:14, we read, Then, passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. Now again, it’s a small detail that Matthew was sitting at the tax office, but that meant he was the public face of tax collection. He dealt with angry Jews every day. Think how exhausting that would be. Think how soul-draining that would be, how much you would hate getting up every day and going to work. How long before the money wasn’t worth it anymore? On the other hand, how quickly would things change when the rabbi came and called you? How quickly and willingly would you leave it all behind? Matthew didn’t hesitate. Not for a moment.
If we want to follow like Matthew, we have to understand Jesus was fully aware of our past when He called and He called us anyway. We can leave the past with its guilt and shame in the past. We don’t have to waver or hesitate.
Matthew didn’t hesitate to introduce his friends to Jesus.
The very next verse in Mark says, While [Jesus] was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who were following him (Mark 2:15). Matthew immediately arranged a banquet, a feast, a celebration and he invited his business friends and other societal outcasts. Like Andrew and Philip, he wanted his friends to meet Jesus, this rabbi who didn’t reject him but reached out to him first. He was so overwhelmed, he couldn’t keep that in.
The religious leaders were scandalized by this. Speaking to a sinner was offensive enough. Eating a meal with them communicated almost a participation in and approval of their activities. Jesus was not fazed because it was perfectly on mission for Him. “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17
If we want to follow like Matthew, we need that same enthusiasm for bringing our friends to Jesus. We can’t be afraid to associate with them or reach out to them in order to get to Jesus. Associate, not participate. After all, Jesus was known as the friend of sinners. I’d guess Matthew was too. We can’t insulate ourselves in a holy huddle like the religious leadership of the day.
Matthew preferred to make his well-crafted gospel his legacy rather than a detailed biography. His story is a common one. He was the worst of the worst, then he met Jesus and nothing was ever the same again.
Next week Thomas, who may not have been as doubt-y as we think.