06.16.2023 Matthew's Calling

 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 Matthew is called to be a disciple of Jesus in today's devotional text. Matthew was a despicable character in the eyes of the Jews because he worked for the state and did it's dirty work, collecting taxes plus whatever graft he could keep for himself. He was very successful by the world's standards due to the wealth he amassed by his corruption.

The bigger picture of today's lesson is God's lesson for us. No one is beyond worth salvaging for His Kingdom. So what's the lesson for us? To find more gold, let's unpack the story some more.

The earlier verses in Matthew 8 and 9 are about the miracles that Jesus performed. The implication is that Matthew was aware of the unbelievable activities of this guy named Jesus. As a person with a prime seat for observing what was going on, Matthew was hearing both gossip and news of the day. He heard about Jesus' healing many, calming the storm and expelling demons. If you had heard about similar wondrous events, wouldn't you be interested in meeting or at least observing this person? Our curiosity would drive us toward this for sure. These were miraculous happenings!

So when Jesus 'happens' by Matthew's booth and invites himself for dinner, it's no surprise that Matthew would accept the invitation to get to meet this up-and-coming influencer, to use a contemporary term. Matthew accepts Jesus' invitation to follow Him. Matthew probably, like us, didn't fully understand the meaning of this invitation to follow Jesus.

It's no surprise that the Pharisees were incensed that this influencer, Jesus, a supposed man-of-God, would rub elbows with the societal deplorables of the day. Jesus' response to them also offends them: 'For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'

Like Matthew, we are called and filled with Jesus' blessed presence in our lives. His abundant love is a gift to be shared. That is our calling. We were created, equipped, and empowered to share His story.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for giving me everyday lessons for understanding how You poured Your life into the disciples and me. Please guide me, encourage and empower me to pursue Your Will each day. Amen

Don’t get impatient with others. Remember how God dealt with you—with patience and with gentleness. But never water down the truth of God. Let it have its way and never apologize for it. Jesus said, “Go . . . and make disciples . . .” (Matthew 28:19), not, “Make converts to your own thoughts and opinions.

 If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice; if I give any room to my private likes and dislikes, then I know nothing of Calvary love. Then Jesus said unto his disciples, If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24). Please take all of me, Lord, that I may be wholly yours. Help me to hold loosely those things, even those blessings, that I have here, that I may be available for service to you at any time.