THE SET UP
Being a tax collector has probably never been a good way to become popular. Not many of us send cards and well wishes along with our 1040’s every April. But in Matthew’s case, it was worse than that. As a tax collector in Israel, Matthew was despised. The taxes he collected were not for Israel, they were for the Roman Empire. He was taking from the poor to give to the Emperor. On top of that, most of the tax collectors were skimming from what they took in or charging extra taxes which they pocketed. So it probably shocked a lot of people when Jesus invited Matthew to leave his tax booth to follow Him. What did Jesus see in a puppet for the Romans? Who knows? But that’s the good news - Jesus doesn’t choose us because we deserve it, He chooses us because He has a better plan for our lives. It worked out. Matthew became one of Jesus’ twelve chosen disciples and ended up writing one of the four Gospels in the New Testament.
PASSAGE TO READ
Luke 5:27-32 (Page 618 in our house bibles)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
If you were to think of an unlikely profession for Jesus to choose a follower from today, what comes to mind?
Who do you think was more surprised at Jesus’ invitation, Matthew, or the other people already following Jesus? Why?
Do you know someone who seemed unlikely to follow Jesus who is now doing so? What does that tell you about God’s heart for us?
PRAYER IDEA
Thank God that He chooses to love and call people because of Who He is, not because of how qualified or good those people are. Thank Him for choosing you.