Reading: Matthew chapter 9 verses 9-13.
Ill:
• An old man was wondering if his wife had a hearing problem.
• So one night, he stood behind her while she was sitting in her lounge chair.
• He spoke softly to her, "Honey, can you hear me?"
• There was no response.
• He moved a little closer and said again,
• "Honey, can you hear me?" Still, there was no response.
• Finally he moved right behind her and said, "Honey, can you hear me?"
• She replied, "For the third time, Yes!"
When Jesus called Matthew - Matthew heard that calling loud and clear!
• In the verses we are looking at today, he records that calling!
• They are very important verses in connection to Matthew.
• Not too much is said about Matthew after this incident;
• It certainly the only time he is centre stage with the spot light on him.
• In these verses this morn/evening;
• Matthew actually records his own call to discipleship,
• And as he records his testimony, you will notice there is no exaggeration or boasting,
• But humility is very much a quality of his character that will shine through.
An Occupation (vs 9a):
• Matthew’s occupation was that of a tax-collector.
• In first century Palestine people did not like paying taxes – same is true today!
Ill:
Taxman jokes.
• People who complain about paying their income tax can be divided into two types:
• Men and women.
• What's the difference between an overzealous tax auditor and a rottweiler?
• A rottweiler eventually lets go!
• If a lawyer & an tax inspector were both drowning, and you could only save one of them,
• Would you carry on watching TV or read the paper?
• What is the difference between a terrorist and a tax inspector?
• You can negotiate with a terrorist.
In first century Palestine people did not like paying taxes – same is true today!
• Matthew was a tax-collector.
• Note: Only Matthew tells us this uncomfortable fact about himself.
• Both Luke and Mark in their gospels miss out this fact.
• But Matthew is humble enough to admit it!
Ill:
The main trade route from Syria to Egypt went through Galilee,
• And Capernaum acted as a tax station;
• It was a good station to be at, besides regular taxes paid by residents;
• Travellers had to stop, present their imported products to the tax official,
• And pay their taxes,
• Matthew was apparently one of the tax officials working at this tax station ..
• And each day he went to 'the office' or in his case the 'tax-booth '.
These tax officials were very unpopular with the Jewish people for at least 3 reasons:
(A). THEY WERE DISHONEST.
• Often they were extortionists,
• Making themselves rich by taking too much money from their fellow Jews.
• The Roman government devised a system;
• To collect taxes as efficiently and as cheaply as possible.
• They did this by auctioning the right to collect taxes in a certain area.
• The man who bought that right was responsible to the Roman government for an agreed sum;
• Anything he could raise over and above that;
• He was allowed to keep as commission.
• Not only did they fleece their own countrymen,
• But they also did their best to swindle the government,
• And they made a flourishing income by taking bribes from rich people;
• Who wished to avoid taxes which they should have paid.
Ill:
• On one occasion when tax-collectors asked John the baptiser, how they should live;
• His reply was basic and straight to the point; "be honest!"
Application:
“One of the greatest miracles that Jesus Christ performs today,
is to take a dishonest person, from a dishonest world,
make that person honest,
then place them back in a dishonest world and keep them honest!”
(B). THEY WERE TRIATORS.
• They were also hated because they were working for the Romans,
• Although they worked for them indirectly.
• The Romans contracted out to people like the Herod's.
• He ran the region on behalf of the Romans.
• The Herod’s contracted out to people like Matthew;
• Those who were willing to buy the position from them at great cost.
(C). THEY WERE SINNERS.
• They were disliked because they ignored the Jewish laws.
• This explains why the Pharisees called them 'sinners ' (verse 11).
ILL:
A sinner was someone who chose to live outside of God's laws.
• e.g. If you chose to work on the Sabbath,
• e.g. If you did not follow dietary laws (ate pork).
Ill:
• According to Jewish law a tax-gatherer was excluded from the synagogue;
• They were was included with things and beasts that were unclean,
• They were forbidden to be a witness in any case of law.
• In fact robbers, murderers and tax-gatherers were all classed together.
• On the social scale, tax collectors were on the bottom.
• (Even prostitutes had a higher social status).
(2), A CHALLENGE (vs 9b) "Follow me".
• We have recorded in the gospels the calling of six of the twelve disciples;
• Philip, Andrew, Peter, James and Matthew.
• Notice: To each of them, Jesus uses two key words to challenge them into action;
• "Follow me".
• Note: If someone wanted to be a disciple e.g. chapter 18 verse 18-22.
• They too used a similar phrase "follow you"
Those words ''follow me" might sound to us an incomplete invitation:
• If someone were to give you the same invitation to you and me;
• We would probably respond by asking; "Why? Where are you going?"
• It is interesting these men did not ask that question:
• The issue in discipleship is never “WHERE we are going”,
• But “WHO”!
• Never “WHERE we are going”, but ‘WHO’ are we going with?
To be a disciple of Jesus Christ;
• Meant from now on you were caught up in the masters programme;
• And from now on you lived by the Masters agenda and not your own.
• Discipleship is not about the fulfilment of the follower,
• It is all about the fulfilment of the Master's purposes.
Quote: Wilbur Rees sarcastically writes in one of his books (to paraphrase):
• “I would like to buy £50 worth of God please,
• Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,
• But just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine.
• I don’t want enough of him to make me love a foreigner;
• Or change my views regarding asylum seekers.
• I want the ecstasy, not transformation;
• I want the warmth of the womb, not the new birth.
• I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.
• I would like to buy £50 worth of God please.”
• Discipleship is not about the fulfilment of the follower,
• It is all about the fulfilment of the Master's purposes.
• It meant from now on you were caught up in the masters programme;
• And from now on you lived by the Masters agenda and not your own.
When Jesus called Matthew to ‘Follow him’:
• He called a man whom all men hated.
• Here is one of the greatest instances in the New Testament;
• Where Jesus has the ability and power to see in a man,
• Not only what he was, but also what he could be.
• ill: Gideon ("Mighty warrior").
• ill: Simon (“Rock'') .
MATTHEW HAD SOME POSITIVE QUALITIES. For instance:
(1). HE HAD COURAGE TO "SWIM UPSTREAM.
• He obviously possessed an inner strength;
• To go in a different direction than everybody else.
• At the very least, he had determination and grit.
• By choosing to be a T.C. he was prepared to ‘march to the beat of a different drum’.
Ill:
• There was a test conducted by a university where 10 students were placed in a room.
• Three lines of varying length were drawn on a card.
• The students were told to raise their hands when the instructor pointed to the longest line.
• But 9 of the students had been instructed beforehand;
• To raise their hands when the instructor pointed to the second longest line.
• One student was the stooge.
• The usual reaction of the stooge was to put his hand up,
• Look around, and realizing he was all alone, pull it back down.
• This happened 75% of the time,
• With students from infant school through secondary school.
• The researchers concluded that many would rather be accepted by others;
• Than to be right.
In following Jesus courage would be a much needed quality:
• Matthew had determination and grit.
• All his life he was prepared to ‘march to the beat of a different drum’.
(2). HE WAS DECISIVE.
• You can't become a tax collector without being decisive.
• He didn't vacillate.
• He didn't become a tax-collector to make friends & become popular.
• He did it to make money fast!
• He was one of those people that knew what he wanted and went after it.
Once again in following Jesus decisiveness would be a much needed quality:
• Matthew had been single-minded as a maker of money.
• Now he would be single-minded in following Jesus!
Ill:
• The famous singer Luciano Pavarotti relates.
• “When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song,”
• He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice.
• Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil.
• I also enrolled in a teachers college.
• On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’
• “‘Luciano,’ my father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them.
• For life, you must choose one chair.’
• “I chose one.
• It took seven years of study & frustration before I made my first professional appearance.
• It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera.
• And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book
• Whatever we choose—we should give ourselves to it.
• Commitment, that’s the key. Choose one chair.”
(3) HE WAS SOCIAL.
• Although he was lonely to the populace, he apparently did have a group of friends.
• He did have good buddies which becomes evident in this story,
• And he freely invites them over to meet Jesus.
• Jesus probably saw that Matthew could be good company.
Application:
• As Christians we so easily become isolated;
• Our circle of friends outside of Church diminishes.
• We need to be those who are constantly making the effort to befriend people.
• Ill: Christianity Explored or a mission etc – no-one to invite!
(4). HE DIDN'T TRY TO IMPRESS PEOPLE.
• Matthew was no snob.
• What you saw was what you got - he was whom he appeared to be.
• That there are other people (religious leaders) in this story;
• That were more corrupt than Matthew.
• Hypocrites who were pretending to be what they were not.
• Covering their unrighteousness with righteousness.
• Matthew, on the other hand, was just who he was, and that's it.
• What you saw is what you got!
Application:
Ill:
A report recently stated that some manufacturers are being a bit naughty!
• They are selling us the same size packages we are accustomed to,
• But they are actually putting less of the product in the box.
• For example, a box of well-known detergent that once held 61 ounces;
• Now contains only 55 - Same size box, less soap.
The point being:
• How something is wrapped doesn’t always show us what’s on the inside.
• That’s true with people as well.
• We can wrap ourselves up in the same packaging every day;
• Nice clothes, big smile, friendly demeanour - yet still be less than what we appear to be.
• Matthew, on the other hand, was just who he was, and that's it.
• What you saw is what you got! “He was exactly as it said on the tin!”
(3). A RESPONSE (vs 9c)
"Matthew got up and followed him".
• Matthew chapter 4 verse 12 & Luke chapter 4 verse 23;
• Tell us Jesus had made his home here in Capernaum.
• This town became his headquarters during what is called his 'Galilean ministry'.
• He did miracles, attended synagogue, preached, this was now his home town(9: 1).
• As a resident of Capernaum Jesus would have been required to pay tax,
• And would have visited the tax-booths on a regular basis .
Ill:
• We know Jesus & the disciples paid their tax.
• E.g. Jesus told Peter to look into the mouth of a fish to find money to pay his temple tax.
• Maybe Matthew noticed a difference in the way Jesus spoke and treated him,
• Compared to the other Jews of the town!
• He would be aware that he spoke with a unique authority,
• And that his message was radically different from that of the Scribes and Pharisees.
• He may well have seen some of the miracles that Jesus had performed;
• And news would have reached him concerning how this Rabbi;
• Numbered amongst his friends men and women from whom;
• The orthodox good people of the day loathed.
Matthew had probably listened on the outskirts of the crowd to some of Jesus' teaching:
• And no doubt his conscience was pricked,
• And he had felt his heart stir within him.
• Perhaps Matthew had wanted to leave his old life and his old shame and to begin again.
• But thought it was just not possible.
• So when he found Jesus standing before him;
• And when he heard Jesus issue his challenge;
• Matthew accepted that challenge and rose up and left all and followed him.
• He did what many of his own more respectable towns people would not do!
• Remember he was a native of Capernaum;
• And Capernaum would soon reject Jesus (chapter 11 verse 23).
NOTE:
• Matthew humbly says "he got up and followed Jesus".
• Luke in his gospel informs us that it was costly for Matthew to follow Jesus
• Luke chapter 5 verse 28:
• "He left everything" (K.J.B. "Forsook all".)
• He lost a comfortable job, but found a destiny.
• He lost a good income, but found honour.
• He lost a comfortable security,
• But found an adventure of the like of which he had never dreamed.
• In Jesus Christ a man finds a wealth surpassing anything;
• He may have to abandon for the sake of Christ.
NOTE ALS0:
• He left his tax-collector's table; but from it took one thing:
• Quote Alexander White of Edinburgh once said:
"When Matthew left his job to follow Christ, Matthew brought his pen with him!
Little did this ex-publican realise that one day use him to write the first of the four gospels. "
This is a great example of how Jesus can use whatever gift a person may bring to him.
• It is not likely that the others of the Twelve were handy with a pen.
• Galilean fishermen would not have much skill in writing or in putting words together.
• But Matthew had;
• And this man, whose trade had taught him to use a pen, went on to use it!
Ill:
• Nowhere in the four gospels do we find a single recorded word that Matthew spoke,
• Yet in his gospel he gives us more words of Jesus Christ than anyone else.
• Ill: Sermon on the mount.
• He used that skill to compose the first handbook of the teaching of Jesus,
• And what a gospel that is!
QUOTE: Warren Wiersbe:
"The gospel according to Matthew" has been called by many Bible scholars
'the most important single document of the Christian faith’
Historians tell us that this book was the most widely read, and the most quoted in the early Church.
While all four gospels are important to us,
it is not without reason that Matthew stands first. "
Ill:
• Mark in his gospel (chapter 2 verse 14),
• Tells us Matthew’s old name was ‘Levi’, the son of Alphaeus.
• But he was given a new name ‘Matthew’:
• Apparently; to commemorate his conversion and his call to be a disciple.
• This new name ‘Matthew’ means "gift of God".
A Gathering (vs 10):
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house,
many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. “
• Note: once again we see the humility of Matthew;
• Verse ten reads like it's a little dinner party.
• Once again it is Dr Luke in his account who gives us the full story;
• He calls it "A great banquet" (Luke chapter 5 verse 29).
Jesus not only called Matthew to be his follower:
• But he actually sat at table with other men and women like Matthew,
• With tax-gatherers and sinners.
• Jesus deliberately broke social and religious prejudices of his day,
• And these verses are a perfect illustration of that.
ill:
• Broadly speaking, in Palestine people were divided into two sections.
• There were the orthodox who rigidly kept the Law in every petty detail;
• And there were those who did not keep its petty regulations.
• The second were classed as the people of the land;
Quote William Barcley:
"…it was forbidden to the orthodox to go on a journey with them, to do any business with them, to give anything to them or to receive anything from them, to entertain them as guests or to be guests in their houses".
By spending time in the company with people like this;
• Jesus was doing something;
• Which the pious people of his day would never have done.
• His heart went out to the Matthew's of the world,
• And in return Matthew's heart went out to the Lord!
• He invited his friends to meet Jesus.
• Some of those friends were probably Gentiles.
• Matthew is too humble to play it up,
• But Luke in his gospel does.
• All his former friends and acquaintances were there.
• It was a going away party.
• Quote: John Wesley:
• “No man ever went to heaven alone; he must either find friends or make them”.
Application:
• Evangelism of his friends was a priority;
• And not an optional extra!
Quote:
“For God so loved the world, not just a few,
The wise and great, the noble and the true,
Or those of favoured class or rank or hue.
God loved the world. Do you?”
Ill:
• The New Testament records tell of forty people, each suffering from some disease,
• Who had been healed by Jesus.
• Of this number, thirty-four were either brought to Jesus by friends;
• Or Jesus was taken to them.
• In only six cases out of forty;
• Did sufferers find their way to Christ without assistance."
A Devotee.
• Not too much is said about Matthew after this incident;
• It certainly the only time he is centre stage with the spot light on him.
• When in the New Testament Matthew is usually paired up with Thomas.
• As a disciple, Matthew followed Christ,
• And was one of the witnesses of the Resurrection and the Ascension.
• Other than writing his Gospel not much is known about Matthew’s later life.
• Christian traditions differ about the mode and place of his martyrdom:
• Early Church fathers Clement and Irenaeus say that;
• Matthew stayed in Palestine;
• Preaching the Gospel to the Jews for at least 15 years after Christ’s ascension;
• And after which he was martyred. The details of his death are not known.
He was a real devotee, a martyr for the Lord.
• One of many martyrs through history;
• Who have laid their life down for the gospel.
Ill:
Our Daily Bread notes.
• Story of George Atley who was killed while serving with the Central African Mission.
• There were no witnesses.
• But the evidence indicates that Atley was confronted by a band of hostile tribesmen.
• He was carrying a fully loaded, 10-chamber Winchester rifle.
• And had to choose either to shoot his attackers;
• And run the risk of negating the work of the mission in that area,
• Or not to defend himself and be killed.
• When his body was later found in a stream,
• It was evident that he had chosen the latter.
• Nearby lay his rifle-all 10 chambers still loaded.
• He had made the supreme sacrifice,
• Motivated by his burden for lost souls and his unswerving devotion to his Saviour.
• With the apostle Paul, he wanted Christ to be magnified in his body,
• "whether by life or by death.'
• Writing on Philippians 1:20 in The Bible Knowledge Commentary,
• Robert P. Lightner said,
"Paul's concern was not what would happen to him but what testimony would be left for his Lord. Release would allow him to continue preaching Christ.
But martyrdom would also advance the cause of Christ.”
Quote: Jim Elliot:
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”.
