Two Words. One Invite.

Scripture: Matt 9:9

To give you a brief summary, Matthew was sitting in the tax collector’s booth, minding his own biz when Jesus saw him and said “Follow Me.” Responding to those two words, Matthew turned his life around, became part of the Twelve Apostle and one of the 4 Gospel writers who chronicled the earthly life of the Savior of the world.

In my humble opinion, this passage right here is one of the best bios I’ve ever read. First of all, Matthew used his Apostle name (the name he is known after his conversion) instead of Levi, as Mark and Luke wrote. Matthew never did try to hide his past. It was as if he was saying, “Hey guys, it’s me Matthew. But you know what, I was once a tax collector.” He was once THAT guy, Levi.

I’m sure you’ve heard that tax collectors during that time were some of the most despised people in the nation. Think of corrupt IRS agents who work for a foreign country and get a cut from the taxes you file. Gets your blood boiling, doesn’t it? Matthew, by adding his name here, shows his humility. He is not ashamed of his past nor does he make an excuse for it. He admitted to his stained former life. In 140 characters or less, he tells everyone he was a sinner, hated by all and guilty of treason. But somehow, Jesus saw him. And what Jesus saw was not a sinner, a corrupt government employee or a traitor. No, Jesus saw what Levi can become – Matthew, a loyal Apostle and ultimately the writer of His Good News.

Now, I don’t know what your life is like. You may think it’s too dark, too muddied, too wild.. in short, a lot of sin going on. But Jesus sees you, no matter how much you hide it all inside. First of all, He sees you. You are NOT just a part of the crowd to Him. But more importantly, Jesus doesn’t see us for who we are right now but what we can become when we follow Him. He sees potential, He sees purpose. I can imagine Matthew sitting in the tax booth, getting murderous looks and sneers from people passing by. Maybe it was eating him up inside too. Maybe he was shrinking in his seat when he saw Jesus coming up to him. And maybe, just maybe, he even looked behind him to make sure that the Son of God was talking to him and telling him to “Follow Me.” Jesus will ambush you at one point and will invite you to leave your former life for a life filled with faith in Him. Heck, it won’t be easy. You would probably get weird looks and skeptical jabs from people who knew you. But you adapt a new name in Christ and a life more abundant than what the world can offer.

If Jesus can turn a tax thief into an evangelist, what more can He do with you and me? All we need to do is to respond to those two words.

“And he (Matthew) got up and followed Him.” – Matthew 9:9