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Matthew |
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More than any other disciple, Matthew had
a clear idea of how much it would cost to follow Jesus, yet he did not
hesitate a moment. When he left his tax-collecting booth, he guaranteed
himself unemployment. For several of the other disciples, there was always
fishing to return to, but for Matthew, there was no turning back.
Two changes happened to Matthew when he decided to follow Jesus. First, Jesus gave him a new life. He not only belonged to a new group; he belonged to the Son of God. He was not just accepting a different way of life; he was now an accepted person. For a despised tax collector, that change must have been wonderful! Second, Jesus gave Matthew a new purpose for his skills. When he followed Jesus, the only tool from his past job that he carried with him was his pen. From the beginning, God had made him a record keeper. Jesus’ call eventually allowed him to put his skills to their finest work. Matthew was a keen observer, and he undoubtedly recorded what he saw going on around him. The Gospel that bears his name came as a result. Matthew’s experience points out that each of us, from the beginning, is one of God’s works in progress. Much of what God has for us he gives long before we are able to consciously respond to him. He trusts us with skills and abilities ahead of schedule. He has made each of us capable of being his servant. When we trust him with what he has given us, we begin a life of real adventure. Matthew couldn’t have known that God would use the very skills he had sharpened as a tax collector to record the greatest story ever lived. And God has no less meaningful a purpose for each one of us. Have you recognized Jesus saying to you, "Follow me"? What has been your response? 1- Strengths and accomplishments
2- Lessons from his life
3- Vital statistics
4- Key verse "As Jesus was going down the road, he saw Matthew sitting at his tax-collection booth. ‘Come, be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him" (Matthew 9:9). Matthew’s story is told in the Gospels. He is also mentioned in Acts 1:13.
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Matthew 1. Gift of God, a common Jewish name after the Exile. He was the son of Alphaeus, and was a publican or tax-gatherer at Capernaum. On one occasion Jesus, coming up from the side of the lake, passed the custom-house where Matthew was seated, and said to him, "Follow me." Matthew arose and followed him, and became his disciple #Mt 9:9 Formerly the name by which he was known was Levi #Mr 2:14 Lu 5:27 he now changed it, possibly in grateful memory of his call, to Matthew. The same day on which Jesus called him he made a "great feast" #Lu 5:29 a farewell feast, to which he invited Jesus and his disciples, and probably also many of old associates. He was afterwards selected as one of the twelve #Lu 6:15 His name does not occur again in the Gospel history except in the lists of the apostles. The last notice of him is in #Ac 1:13 The time and manner of his death are unknown. 2. The son of Alphaeus and one of the twelve apostles. He was a tax-collector for the Romans, called ‘publican’ in the A.V. He left his office immediately he was called by the Lord and entertained Him at a feast. No other incidents are recorded of him apart from the other apostles. He is universally believed to have written the gospel bearing his name. #Mt 9:9 10:3 Mr 3:18 Lu 6:15 Ac 1:13. He is called LEVI in #Mr 2:14 Lu 5:27,29. |