Genesis 26:17-35, 27; Matthew 9:1-17; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 3:9-10

“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.” (Matthew 9:9 NIV)

Matthew: the “evil” tax collector. I use that word because even if you are unaware of how tax collectors where looked down upon, in the very next verse “tax collectors and sinners” are paired together. They were not known to be a righteous bunch–instead it was common for them to unfairly treat people. People can justify many an action outside of their normal character when money is involved, and tax collectors were not exempt from this evil.

I love how in reading this verse, you wouldn’t know that Matthew himself is the one writing. Matthew very plainly states the story–he doesn’t try to make himself look better or caveat the story by saying “Mattew was a tax collector, but he was an upstanding guy.” He doesn’t defend himself or his position–he simply states the facts. Maybe he was a corrupt tax collector before immediately recognizing what was in front of him and following Jesus, but I tend to think that maybe Matthew was a devoted Jew who was simply dealt a rough lot in life. Maybe I’m wrong, but we know Jesus saw beyond the surface to the heart of each and every person he came in contact with. I think Jesus say Matthew’s heart, his true nature, and called him to be a follower as part of His true ministry calling.

If Matthew was in fact already a devoted Jew, then his heart was primed and ready to follow Jesus. Jesus came along, saw his true nature, and in an instance changed the entire trajectory of his life. Matthew simply had to stand up, leave what he knew, and follow.

So simple, but so hard! How often do we know what we need to do next, but instead of jumping, ask questions. Why are you calling me to this? Is this something I can handle? Do I have the right prequalification? Am I prepared? Often we respond to Jesus with fear and hesitancy rather than faith and trust.

The Lord recognizes that it’s in our human nature to be weary, hence the story Matthew is telling is actually extraordinary. One small verse tells us so much about the disciple Matthew: his faith, his trust, and his devotion to the One who called him.

I want to be a Matthew. I want the simple things in my life to tell an extraordinary story of faith and trust in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want to know that every time Jesus calls to me into His will for my life, I will follow blindly, leaving behind what I thought or what I knew. I want to know that when Jesus calls, I will have the peace of mind and courage of heart to immediately drop what I’m doing and follow Him.

Father God, show us how to be a community who hears your invitation, and responds immediately–no hesitancy, no questioning, no fear. Show us how to drop everything and follow you.