What can we learn from the inclusion of "Matthew the tax collector"? Setting the Scene “ As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9) Tax collectors in first-century Judea were viewed as traitors colluding with Rome, notorious for greed and dishonesty. Into that setting the Lord spoke two words—Follow Me—and a hated public official became a disciple. The literal, historical call recorded in Scripture invites reflection on several key truths. Grace Reaches the Unlikely • God’s choice disregards social stigma. ‑ Matthew’s occupation placed him beyond the pale of respectable society, yet Christ’s call shows that “God shows no favoritism” (Acts 10:34). • Mercy overrides merit. ‑ Romans 5:8: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” • Salvation is offered to all categories of sinners. ‑ 1 Timothy 1:15: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” • No past disqualifies the repentant. ‑ Isaiah 1:18 declares sins can become “white as snow.” Immediate Obedience Models True Discipleship • “Matthew got up and followed Him.” The verb tense indicates instantaneous action. • Genuine faith responds without negotiation. • Leaving the tax booth meant leaving a lucrative career; the cost underscores Luke 14:33—disciples “must give up everything.” Identity Transformed, Not Erased • Matthew is still called “the tax collector” in apostolic lists (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). • Scripture reminds readers of what grace has accomplished—Matthew is no longer defined by sin, yet his testimony remains a monument to God’s power. • Revelation 12:11 links testimony to triumph: “They overcame…by the word of their testimony.” From Record-Keeper to Gospel-Writer • God redeems natural abilities. ‑ A man skilled in accounts becomes the evangelist who gives the most structured, account-oriented Gospel. • The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes Old Testament fulfillment, fitting for someone once steeped in meticulous records. • Ephesians 2:10 illustrates this transformation: “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works….” Humility in Apostolic Company • Lists place Matthew beside fishermen, a zealot, and others of humble background. • The church is a mosaic of redeemed sinners, united not by status but by the Savior. • 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 highlights that God chooses the lowly “so that no one may boast.” Witness Begins at Home • Luke 5:29 records a banquet Matthew held for Jesus, filled with fellow tax collectors. • Evangelism naturally starts with one’s own circle. • Psalm 66:16: “Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.” Implications for the Church Today • Welcome the outcast; Christ already set the precedent. • Celebrate transformed lives, retaining the memory of past bondage only to magnify grace. • Encourage believers to use their vocational skills for Gospel purposes. • Maintain humility, remembering everyone stands on equal ground at the foot of the cross. The inclusion of Matthew the tax collector proclaims that divine grace rescues the unlikely, reshapes identity, redeems gifts, and unites believers in humble service, all for the glory of the Savior who still says, “Follow Me.” |
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