On to Matthew. I’ve spent the last four years studying the Gospel that bears his name. I’m glad to announce that I have finally finished my first draft of his story—around 92,000 words! Now to the tedious task of editing.

I’ve tried to devise a possible scenario as to why this good Jewish boy, who knew the ancient Scriptures well, would become a tax collector, knowing full well that he would be despised and rejected by his fellow Jews. The scenario also had to include his sins and his “sinner” companions.

Yet, when Jesus approached Matthew at his tax collecting booth, he simply said,

“Follow me.” Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

Undoubtedly, Matthew previously had opportunities to hear Jesus teach by the sea shore or hear people talking about his miracles. Some kind of experiences had to lead up to the moment when Jesus said, “Follow me,” and Matthew was ready to leave his old life and follow Jesus.

We read no direct words from Matthew, but we do have the brief story in Matthew 9:9-13 when Matthew had a dinner at his house with Jesus as the guest of honor.

What guests did Matthew invite? Why the only friends he had, other tax collectors and “sinners” like himself. He wanted to tell his friends just as the other disciples had done when they first came to Jesus.

I’m reminded of my son’s story in his late teens. He had an amazing turn-around. One of the first things he did was to go to a party where his “friends” were. Like Matthew, his friends were like he had been, not tax collectors, but definitely “sinners.”

My heart sank. But, when he came home, he excitedly told me about getting one of his friends over in a corner and sharing with him the transformation in his life. Instead of “partying,” he was witnessing!

One telling statement in Matthew’s dinner account was this;

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does you teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners?'” Matthew 9:11

Unfortunately, none of the disciples spoke up for Matthew. They must have thought the same thing as the Pharisees. Jesus had to speak for them. That led me to think that Matthew  had to overcome his past, not only with the Pharisees and the people, but likely with his fellow disciples as well.

Jesus came to the rescue yo respond to the Pharisees.

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means; ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13

Taking lambs to the altar was mostly what these stringent teachers of the law knew. Sacrifice. Mercy? Not so much so.

Though we don’t hear Matthew’s spoken words in the Scripture, we have his written words where he tells the life of Christ in the book of Matthew.

Legend has it that he was martyred while ministering in Ethiopia.

~ Joyce ~