We are going to look at a man called Levi (also called Matthew in Matt 9:9-12). I will use the more familiar name Matthew here.
It is surprising that Jesus would even call a tax-collector to follow Him.
• Jesus was preparing a group of disciples who would eventually bring the good news about God’s salvation to the world.
• And among the people He has chosen, Levi was one of them. Nobody expected that.
• Today we are hard-pressed to find good, talented and intelligent leaders to run companies and govern nation, but Jesus chose a tax-collector.
Matthew was a tax-collector, despised by the people because they were seen as traitors. For two reasons -
• (1) They work for the oppressors – the Romans – collecting taxes.
• And (2) they get rich by charging high taxes, far in excess of what Rome require. They enforced payment by using the Roman soldiers.
They are the outcast. They are sinners. How can Jesus accept such a person?
• Why not, Jesus replied. The sick needs a doctor. “I’ve come to call sinners to repentance,” He said.
People look at Matthew’s sin. Jesus looks at his need.
• People look at Matthew’s sickness. Jesus looks at the cure.
• Jesus has come to seek and save the lost.
1. Matthew Understood His Need
Matthew responded in that manner because he knew his need.
• He is not going to stay by the booth for the rest of his life.
• There is something that is not right and he knows it.
• Jesus said it plainly; the sick and the sinners need help.
• If Matthew was nearby, he could have heard it and probably realised that Jesus was referring to him. He was humble enough to admit his need. He is sick man in need of a doctor; a sinner in need of repentance.
Do you know what you need? Do you know you need Jesus?
We don’t often know our need, until someone tells us.
• We don’t know what our body needs, until the doctor tells us so.
• We don’t know the purpose of living, until we hear God’s Word.
• Matthew heard Jesus’ call. He knows Jesus has the answer he is looking for.
There are those in the crowd that day who did not feel that they need Jesus.
• They are the good and righteous ones. They felt decent, unlike Matthew.
• But they are wrong. They did not know they are sick.
• They are sinners, just like Matthew, just that they are sinning in different ways.
We are all sinners, the Bible says. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23). Many in the crowd were blinded to this fact.
Matthew knew he needed help. He made the wise choice to follow Jesus.
• Money did not give him a happy life. He was despised and rejected by the people.
• The daily routine of collecting taxes (and cheating the people of their money) did not bring him fulfilment.
• He was looking for something more. He knows he is a sick man in need of a doctor.
And then Jesus came by.
• “What will Jesus say to me”, Matthew wonders. “Will he rebuke me before the crowd?” Surprisingly NO.
• Jesus called him, “Follow Me.” Jesus wants him.
• The Lord, who heals people and makes them whole, called him. Nobody wants him except Jesus.
Jesus was not ashamed to call him. No one would want to associate with this kind of people, but Jesus went to his house and ate with them.
• He has come to heal the sickness of man – the Bible calls it “sin”.
• No one is beyond redemption. No sinner is beyond cure.
2. Matthew Was Willing to Follow Jesus
Following Christ is not always an easy thing, but Matthew saw that it was worth it.
• Jesus once said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (Matt 13:45-46)
• Matthew is looking for a more meaningful and purposeful life.
Jim Elliot (a missionary who was killed in South America in the late 50’s) said: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
• Matthew let go of his monies and his booth – the stuff that he cannot keep forever, and held on to Jesus, whom he believe can give him a new life, one that he can never lose.
• He let go of things temporary and transient. And hold on to things that are eternal.
• Learn to let go. This world can never satisfy our longings.
What have you let go today? What is holding you back from following Jesus?
Jesus saw the heart of Matthew. It didn’t matter at all that he was a tax collector.
• Jesus saw what he could become – he can become the faithful follower who would eventually pen down the Gospel of Matthew (the first book of the NT).
• When you read the book of Matthew, appreciate it. Be amazed. It is written by a tax-collector, a person rejected by the society.
• You see, your past has nothing to do with what you can become in Christ. You become a new creation in Christ. So glorify God by telling others what God has done in your life.
The Pharisees would not want to talk to Matthew, but Jesus loved him and called him. And He changed his life.
• Jesus wants to give you a new life, but he does not do it against your will.
• John 1:11-12 “… Yet, to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
• You can be a child of God today, if you are willing to follow Him.
3. Matthew Shares the Good News
Verse 10 tells us Matthew went immediately and organised a feast for his friends.
• As a social outcast, the only friends he has are tax-collectors and sinners.
• That was his circle of influence. Only they would come to his house.
• This might well be their only chance of meeting up with Jesus.
Matthew wanted to them to know what has happened to him.
• God has given him a chance. He is now giving others a chance.
This is a good thing. The Pharisees should be rejoicing because a life has been changed.
• The Bible says that the angels rejoice over one person whose life is touched by Christ.
• Heaven rejoices, but on earth we see a group of angry Pharisees.
Jesus saw the worth of the man and touched him at the point of his need.
• The Pharisees saw only his sins and came condemning him.
• Jesus saw what the man could become and showed him mercy and compassion.
• The Pharisees were blinded by their pride and their own righteousness.
A boatman and a scholar were once travelling on a boat. During the journey, the scholar asked the boatman, "Do you know philosophy?" "No," he replied.
"Do you know psychology?". "No."
"What about geology?" "Nope!"
"I suppose you don’t know accountancy, huh?" "No, not at all."
"Hm... life must be pretty boring for you then."
Just then a storm erupted, and the waves were beating furiously against the boat. The scholar was afraid. The boatman asked, "Do you know how to swim?" "No!" he replied.
"That’s too bad," the boatman said. "But do you know God?"
"No, I don’t!" said the scholar. Boatman: "Then that’s even worse. You’ll have no hope after death!"
The boatman brought out a lamp, lifted it up and asked, "Do you believe this can save you? Do you believe that this light can save you?"
The man began to wave the lamp, sending a signal in the darkness to the surrounding boats for help. Eventually, they were saved - the light saved them.
Jesus says, "I am the Light of the world."
• No ‘…logy’ (no human wisdom and knowledge) can save you. Only Jesus can.
If God condemns sinners, all of us will die in our sin, including this group of Pharisees themselves.
• God is merciful. He has given you a chance to repent and put our trust in Jesus.
• Jesus paid the penalty of our sin on the cross.
• Warren Wiersbe: “Jesus comes to us in our need; He makes a perfect diagnosis; He provides a final and complete cure, and He pays the bill!”
Matthew seized that opportunity and accepted Christ’s call.
• God does not give up on people. Neither should we.
• It matters little to God how far you have walked away from Him, or how sinful you were. You can always turn around.
• What God is concerned about is that you do not turn back. That will be your greatest mistake.
• As long as you are willing to repent and return to Him, there is always hope for you.
A marble stone arrived at the workshop of a sculptor. It had some imperfections (scars) on it and was set aside. Later another sculptor Michelangelo saw it. He decided to use it and worked on it for 2 years.
On Jan 25, 1504 he finally finished his work. The stone of imperfection had now become a work of art – the statue of David.
There are no worthless people, no people that God does not love.
• There are no lives that God cannot change. The Pharisees can be blessed too, but they refuse to admit their need.
• If you allow Him, God can change you and give you a new life.
• Jesus saw Matthew’s need, He saw Matthew’s worth, and He saw his potential.
Dear brothers/sisters, God have given you a chance to know Christ.
• Will you give others a chance to meet Christ?
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is currently in Singapore organizing a special project called MyHope Singapore.
• Urging Christians to play host this Christmas, just like Matthew – inviting friends over to our home, watch a Gospel movie and share what Christ has done in our life. It’s as simple as that.
• Many may not like to step into a church, but they will come into your house. They know you as a friend.
Matthew provided that chance for his friends.
• This may be their only chance. And I believe more lives were changed in Matthew’s home that day, because they met Jesus.
• What he did may be simple, but the consequences are great.
• We cannot under-estimate what God can do. A sinner can become a saint.
You can do the same this Christmas. It’s not about ability; it’s about an open heart.
• Get together with some friends, maybe a small group of 5 or 6.
• Watch a Gospel DVD and share your testimony – a short 3-min testimony.
• More than 250 churches are doing that on the same weekend 12-14 Dec.
• So we’re going to unite together for a common cause on a one weekend, and with concerted prayer for God’s blessings.
Jesus says, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (5:31-32)
• This Christmas will be a happier one, if someone sick receives healing, if a sinner repents.
• To see that happening, be a Matthew. Give your friends a chance to see Christ.
