PROFILES —-
MATTHEW
THE GREATEST EXCHANGE
Matthew was a tax collector. In biblical times, being a tax collector meant being a shady individual. If you were a tax collector, you were seen as the scum of society. You were known to be crooked. Tax collectors served the Romans and took advantage of the Jews. This meant that from the outside, Matthew was not an ideal candidate to become a follower of God. Wouldn’t Jesus choose only religious people, or at least people who had a good reputation? But Jesus called out to Matthew, “Follow me and be my disciple” (Matthew 9:9). And Matthew followed Him and never looked back. It’s almost shocking how, in a moment, Matthew knew his need for Jesus and responded by following Him instantly. He left his messed-up way of making money and the thing that defined his identity, exchanging it for a new life and purpose with Jesus. He knew the one calling him was worth the exchange.
THINK & PRAY
WHICH SEAT DO YOU SIT IN – SICK OR BLIND?
Matthew knew his need for God. He heard Jesus’ call and left everything to follow Him. The religious people of Matthew’s day thought Jesus was crazy for making Matthew a disciple. In their opinion, he was scum! They couldn’t believe Matthew was being given a chance to be made new. But Jesus cut through their pride with two powerful statements. First, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do” (Matthew 9:12). Second, “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Matthew 9:13). Jesus loves making people well when they humble themselves and follow Him. It’s incredible to think that Matthew went from being the shady scum of society to the author of the Gospel we are reading now. But God transforms whoever will follow Him!
So which seat do you sit in? Are you like Matthew? Do you know your need for Jesus? Or are you like the religious leaders, who were blind to their need for Jesus because they thought they were righteous already? It’s clear in Matthew 9:9-13 that those who admit they are spiritually sick sinners who need Jesus’ new life will receive forgiveness and a new identity. But those who think they are well already, without Jesus’ help, will remain in their self-righteous and sick spiritual state.