Thursday, March 18, 2021
The apostle Matthew records his own recruitment and calling as one of Jesus’ disciples.
Matthew 9:9 As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow Me and be My disciple,” Jesus said to him. (NLT)
In the time of Christ, being a tax collector was not an appointment, but rather a position purchased from Jewish or Roman authorities. It was generally felt that tax collectors regularly levied amounts higher than the prescribed taxes to line their own pockets! Consequently, they were hated in the Jewish community, and not welcome in the local synagogue.
Matthew had probably heard Jesus speak prior to this calling and like another Christ-following publican, Zacchaeus, he undoubtedly made restitution to those he had robbed. Regardless of your past, Jesus declares, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The calling of Matthew is a comfort to all who feel they are defined by a shameful past. In Christ there is forgiveness, restoration and the commissioning of a new usefulness to the Savior!
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.