Matthew Arose And Followed Jesus

Matthew 9: 9-13

Story & Lessons

Matthew gave an account of his own conversion.

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He was a tax collector.

The tax collectors were hated and despised by the people because they worked for the Romans who occupied their country.

Some tax collectors also had a reputation for being dishonest and corrupt.

As long as they collected an agreed amount of tax for the Roman authorities, they could overcharge and keep the surplus for themselves. The tax payer had no right of appeal.

The scribes and Pharisees put them on the same level as the worst of sinners and wrote them off as far as salvation was concerned.

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The Lord Jesus called Matthew, one of these social outcasts, to follow Him and to be one of those most closely associated with Him.

Matthew was amazed to hear the Lord Jesus saying to him, "Follow me."

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Matthew arose and followed the Lord Jesus.

He gave up a comfortable living to become attached to the Lord Jesus.

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He did not become a secret believer.

He made a great feast to which he invited many other tax collectors.

They too followed the Lord Jesus (Mark 2:15).

Reflections

Are you glad to own Jesus as your Lord before your friends and colleagues at work?

Do you earnestly desire and pray for their salvation?

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No one is beyond the reach of God's mercy!

Christianity is for sinners.

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But the churlish, self righteous Pharisees did not recognize their own spiritual need.

Jesus told them, "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

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The Lord Jesus does not call the righteous because there are no righteous people (Romans 3:10)!

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We are all sinners.

The Lord Jesus calls us to repentance.

Will you come?