What can we learn from Matthew's transformation from tax collector to apostle? Setting the Scene: Matthew Named among the Twelve Luke 6:15 records: “Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,”. That one brief line places Matthew—once despised as a Roman tax collector—among the hand-picked apostles who would lay the foundation of the Church (Ephesians 2:20). From Tax Booth to Footsteps of Jesus Matthew 9:9 gives the backstory: “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.” Key observations • A hated profession: Tax collectors enriched themselves by collecting for Rome, often through extortion (Luke 3:12-13). • Immediate obedience: “Matthew got up and followed Him.” No debate, no delay, no partial commitment. • Evidence of grace: The very One who knew every detail of Matthew’s past still invited him. Grace That Calls the Unlikely Other supporting verses • 1 Timothy 1:15—Christ “came into the world to save sinners.” • Luke 5:32—“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” • Romans 5:8—Christ died for us “while we were still sinners.” Takeaway God delights to redeem the least expected and display His grace through transformed lives (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Leaving the Old Life Behind Luke 5:28 (parallel account) says Matthew “left everything, got up, and followed Him.” Contrast: he once took revenue from others; now he leaves his own revenue to serve Christ. Application • True repentance involves change in direction (Acts 26:20). • No half-measures—Matthew’s livelihood, status, and comfort were surrendered. Hospitality as First Ministry Luke 5:29: “Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.” Lessons • He used what he had—home, resources, network—to introduce friends to Jesus. • Ministry often starts with simple acts of hospitality (1 Peter 4:9-10). Criticism and Christ’s Defense Pharisees grumbled (Luke 5:30). Jesus replied, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Mark 2:17). Insight • Expect backlash when grace reaches outsiders. • Christ stands up for repentant sinners, refuting self-righteous judgment. Transformation Confirmed by Fruit Evidence of Matthew’s new life • Authorship of the first Gospel: meticulous Old Testament citations show his devotion to Scripture. • Missionary zeal: Church history places him preaching as far as Ethiopia and Persia. • Martyr faithfulness: tradition records he died proclaiming Christ rather than renounce Him. What We Learn for Today 1. No one is beyond Christ’s reach. If a collaborator with Rome can become an apostle, any modern sinner can become a saint (2 Corinthians 5:17). 2. Immediate obedience matters. Delayed responses dilute devotion; Matthew teaches prompt, decisive surrender. 3. Our past becomes a platform. His record-keeping skills helped craft a Gospel; our backgrounds can likewise advance the kingdom (Romans 12:6-8). 4. Hospitality opens hearts. A shared table can introduce skeptics to Jesus faster than a sermon. 5. Expect criticism and keep going. Matthew’s call drew scorn, yet Christ endorsed it; faithfulness outlasts opposition. 6. Lasting fruit validates repentance. A transformed life continues to bear witness long after the initial decision. Encouragement to Walk in Matthew’s Footsteps Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” Just as Matthew moved from taking to giving, from isolation to fellowship, from obscurity to Gospel impact, every believer is invited into the same story of grace, obedience, and fruitful service. |
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