The Calling of Matthew is a significant event in the New Testament, illustrating Jesus Christ's mission to reach out to sinners and those marginalized by society. This event is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, and Luke 5:27-32. Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector, a profession often despised by the Jewish people due to its association with Roman oppression and corruption.

Biblical Account

In the Gospel of Matthew, the account is succinctly described: "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). This simple yet profound invitation from Jesus highlights His authority and the transformative power of His call. Matthew's immediate response, leaving behind his lucrative position, signifies a radical change and commitment to discipleship.

The Gospel of Mark provides a similar account, emphasizing the setting by the sea and the crowd that followed Jesus: "Once again Jesus went out beside the sea. All the people came to Him, and He taught them. As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. 'Follow Me,' He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him" (Mark 2:13-14). Here, Matthew is referred to as Levi, indicating his Jewish heritage and possibly his previous life before following Christ.

Luke's Gospel adds further detail, noting the feast that Levi hosted in Jesus' honor: "After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. 'Follow Me,' He told him, and Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him. Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them" (Luke 5:27-29). This banquet becomes a setting for Jesus to teach about His mission to call sinners to repentance.

Theological Significance

The calling of Matthew underscores several key theological themes. First, it demonstrates Jesus' authority to call individuals into a new life of discipleship, regardless of their past. Matthew's profession as a tax collector made him an outcast among his people, yet Jesus saw beyond societal labels and extended grace and acceptance.

Second, this event highlights the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry. By associating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus challenged the religious norms of His time, emphasizing that His message was for all people, not just the righteous or socially acceptable. This is further illustrated in Jesus' response to the Pharisees' criticism: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17).

Lastly, the calling of Matthew serves as a model for Christian conversion and discipleship. Matthew's willingness to leave everything behind and follow Jesus exemplifies the cost of discipleship and the transformative impact of encountering Christ. His subsequent role as one of the twelve apostles and the author of the Gospel of Matthew attests to the profound change that Jesus' call can effect in a person's life.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the first-century Jewish context, tax collectors were often viewed as traitors and sinners. They were employed by the Roman authorities to collect taxes from their fellow Jews, and it was common for them to exploit this position for personal gain. This made them socially and religiously ostracized. Jesus' choice to call Matthew, a tax collector, as one of His disciples was a radical act that defied cultural expectations and demonstrated the boundless reach of God's grace.

The feast that Matthew hosted for Jesus and his fellow tax collectors further illustrates the social dynamics of the time. It provided an opportunity for Jesus to engage with those considered outcasts and to teach about the nature of God's kingdom, which welcomes all who are willing to repent and follow Him.

Conclusion

The Calling of Matthew is a powerful narrative that encapsulates the essence of Jesus' ministry: a call to repentance, the breaking down of social barriers, and the transformative power of grace. Through this event, the Gospels convey the message that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and that true discipleship requires a willingness to leave behind the old life and embrace the new.