Matthew 9:9-13 [NIV] | 9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
It was not the first time Jesus and Matthew laid eye on each other; Jesus made the journey past Matthew’s tax booth several times. This time it was different, Jesus walked right up to Matthew’s booth and said two simple words: “Follow me.” Matthew recognized that Jesus was not inviting him; Jesus was commanding him. So Matthew got up and followed Jesus. Matthew’s uncompromising obedience would cause great change in his life. Like Matthew, God calls, rather commands, us to make a radical change from our sinful life to follow him.
What does it really mean to be a follower of Jesus? When Matthew gave up his lucrative life, he called his friends together to meet Jesus. Matthew became a witness of Jesus and desired to introduce Christ to his friends. Matthew, who left behind a material fortune to gain a spiritual fortune, was proud to be associated with Jesus. Jesus welcomed Matthew’s friend who were fellow tax collectors and other notorious sinners. Jesus is waiting for us to invite our friends in fellowship regardless of the past. TO follow Jesus is to bring others along with you.
It is true that Christians are called to a righteous lifestyle. But it’s wrong to think that we witness to Jesus’ gospel when we refuse to associate with people who don’t believe or believe in ways different from our choices in life. The disciple who sits in a tavern with a friend, or goes to the office party, would appear to be more like Jesus than the one who righteously stays away and only connects with other Christians. We are called to reach out to people who sin and lost; The Gospel message of Jesus can change anyone. It is time to be in the world among sinners with the message of Jesus.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us sinners from our sin. Help us to follow your calling to be Jesus’ disciples in a dark world filled with sin. Lead us to cast aside the things that inhibit us from being bold expressions of your love.
Action Plan:
Today I will share my faith with a family member or friend I have regular contact by …