Lessons from Matthew 9: Accepted by God

In verses 9-17, Matthew gives his testimony by drawing attention not to himself but rather to the person of Jesus Christ, the one who forgave the sinner and renewed and restored his life. Verse 9 tells us that as Jesus went on from there, He singled out a man named Matthew who was sitting in the tax collector’s booth.

Matthew (Levi) was known as a tax collector. He was a Jew who was appointed by the Romans to be the area’s tax collector. He collected taxes from the citizens as well as from the merchants passing through town.

Now remember, this city had a very busy trade center and thus a wealthy business atmosphere. Tax collectors were expected to take a commission from the taxes they collected but most of them over-charged the people in order to keep the profits. And since no one really knew the tax table, the tax collectors reaped a huge harvest of funds and were quite wealthy. But they were hated by the Jews because of their reputation of cheating and also for their support of Rome.

Accepted by God

Though Matthew was politically, religiously, and socially unacceptable to those around him, he was not unacceptable to Jesus and therefore not unacceptable to God.

Jesus stopped and took a personal interest in Matthew. You can just imagine that Jesus looked the lonely, hated, rejected but wealthy Matthew in the eye and said, “Follow me.” And immediately Matthew rose up and followed Jesus.

Matthew, more than any other disciple, had a clear idea of the cost of following Jesus yet he did not hesitate for a moment.

Matthew guaranteed himself unemployment. The only thing he carried with him was his pen, which he would later use to write this incredible account of the man Jesus who once saved his life and the lives of so many others. Matthew left everything–his job, his position, his wealth–to go and follow Jesus. And he never looked back.

Like Matthew, we must decide to leave behind those things that would keep us from following Christ. But also like Matthew, will will discover that following Jesus means a new way of life.

Terri Hamman

Faith & Fitness Coach