Twelve men would forever have the unique honor and recognition for their sincere response and faithful allegiance to the carpenter-turned-teacher, Jesus of Nazareth. Focusing on one of these disciples, Matthew, let’s consider his remarkable call, open house, quiet allegiance and treasured record.
Many now acknowledge Jesus Christ to be not only a teacher worth following, but also the glorious Son of God and eternal Lord of heaven and earth. However, this was not fully apparent to these ordinary men when He initially and intentionally crossed their respective paths. This is what makes Matthew’s call so remarkable. Witnesses, business colleagues, and previously called disciples perhaps were all quite amazed when this recently professed teacher walked past the well-established and presumably wealthy customs agent in Capernaum and said two words: “Follow me.” Did He just invite one of these crooked publicans into His group? Does He realize what people may think or the optics it presents? Perhaps the greater shock came as they watched Levi immediately stop his work, roll up his account ledgers, and walk away from the money table to follow this poor teacher from Nazareth. This truly was remarkable! Whatever people saw before on the surface, spiritual desires and interests are what motivated Levi and moved him from within to respond in faith to this personal and unmistakable call from this Teacher. The Lord was obviously not concerned about any thoughts or coming objections to His inclusion of such a disreputable and politicized person as a publican. Levi was just the person the Lord sought and wanted for purposes immediate and future. Was this the moment his name was changed from Levi to Matthew? If so, it wasn’t just his name that changed that day. He responded to a call, an invitation, in fact, that would turn a stereotypical, self-serving tax gatherer into a witness for Christ and an evangelist of the good news to the nations. The Lord calls today, just as clear and personal, to each one He seeks to lead along in specific works and places of labor. Every time He does, it is a remarkable call of grace.
The Gospel accounts, Matthew’s own included, then relay that after this invitation by the Lord, Matthew responded with his own invitation to many of his colleagues and acquaintances (Luk 5:29). He opened his home to them and to his new Master and Lord. This was more than a “change of job” celebration, but an opportunity for all to meet the Savior and Friend of publicans and sinners. Matthew didn’t hesitate to share what he had in his effort to share his faith and to introduce the Savior to others. This is clear when the Lord Himself justified His presence at the event to the observing critics with the well-known observation, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick” (Mar 2:17 KJV). He truly came and was present to help and heal all who realized their great need and poor condition before God. It’s wonderful that our homes can be opened for such divine and blessed purposes.
It is interesting that Jesus would call him to be a follower and an apostle. It would seem Matthew relinquished his “day job” to follow Jesus Christ, but some who knew his past profession perhaps would still raise a suspicious eyebrow seeing him following this poor preacher from Nazareth. This could be a reason why Matthew wasn’t the one appointed to “hold the bag” as Judas was. It would be logical for a money man to be the group’s treasurer, but ultimately that responsibility was given to the latter, who truly was a thief. Matthew apparently was content to be a follower and a disciple without specific notoriety. Peter, James and John were often called into intimate settings, and Judas was given (or perhaps took) the role as treasurer. Yet Matthew, like others, was content to faithfully follow along in quiet allegiance as the Lord led and directed. His personal faithfulness is traced in Scripture as far as Acts 1, where we find him with the remaining disciples as “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (vv13-14 KJV). Matthew would never regret walking away from the coins of earth. Revelation 21:14 indicates that one of the foundations of the holy city that will descend from heaven will have Matthew’s name in it. Believers down through the years have moved in obscurity in quiet allegiance to and faith in the One who died for them. They will never regret it. Great is their reward and so fulfilling will be the commendation of their Lord whom they serve faithfully. Oh, that we likewise would follow the Lord in our own place in His purposes and will.
Finally, though the Gospels reveal little of Matthew’s spoken words (26:22; Mar 14:31), his written words detailing our Lord’s lineage, birth, life, death and resurrection are a treasured and trusted account with the signature of the Holy Spirit. Years after Matthew was an eyewitness to our Lord’s ascension into glory, he was used to take up his pen and preserve the things he had seen and heard in His presence. Matthew and the other Gospel and New Testament writers were willing and able vessels that the Holy Spirit was free to use to record the precious narrative and mind of our Lord Jesus Christ. What a great honor and responsibility it was to be one of the four writers to present his vital eyewitness perspective of the life of the royal Son of David. The one who initially responded to follow the Teacher from Nazareth was later called to relay the words that would portray his Master as the rightful and eternal King. Peter tells us that holy men were taken up to produce the Old Testament, and it was no different in Matthew’s case. Matthew’s Gospel is a treasured record that God has revealed as His own living work to be included in His plenary message for the world He loves. The Scriptures of truth are complete, but God is happy to take up anyone to use for His purposes and glory. May it be so. May we all be like Matthew and respond to the gracious voice of the Savior, to use and share what we have as we follow faithfully in quiet allegiance to our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the coming King whom Matthew has faithfully served and portrayed, and we all can anticipate His return and our place in His glorious unending kingdom.
