Matthew the Tax Collector
Matthew the Tax Collector. Looking at Matthew, Jesus said, "Follow me." That is it! Nothing overtly profound, but just two words--a simple command.
9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.
Matthew 9:9, NKJV
(See also: Mark 2:13-14 and Luke 5:27-28)
Matthew the Tax Collector
Matthew the tax collector, was sitting at a table--just another day at the office, so to speak--when Jesus walked by. Looking at Matthew, Jesus said, "Follow me." That is it! Nothing overtly profound, but just two words--a simple command. How did Matthew respond? "And he arose, and followed him."
There is no note of a question, or any excuses offered; Matthew just
responded simply by following Jesus. In actuality, this is exactly how
the Lord Jesus Christ comes to us today, in this the 21st century. The
simple command is still in effect: "Follow me." How do we respond?
Most, in today's world, simply ignore the command of Christ. It is of no
more importance to them than if a child would say to them, as the
adult, "Come and play." Why is there so little response to the words of
Christ?
Sadly, most people never even hear or read the command of Christ. At a
time when there are more Bibles available than ever before, they are
read less. Even in "Christian" America, most people are Biblicaly
illiterate. Even among confessing Christians, the Bible is seldom read.
Due to busy lifestyles and the tantalizing temptation of television,
many do not read anything--not even books or newspapers, much less the
Bible.
Many others hear the call of Christ, but choose to go their own way.
They do not want to be bothered with the narrow views of the Bible when
they live in such an open society where many former taboos are now
openly accepted. Satan has truly been busy and effective, has he not?
The cares of this world have stolen the hearts of the people!
There is another group of people who, tragically, do not understand that
the command of Christ is aimed specifically at them. Many confessing
Christians today believe that the command to follow Christ is optional.
Once they have "made the decision" to follow Christ, they are home free.
Salvation is now theirs. They view the command to follow Christ as an
option for those select few who are more spiritually minded. Is that
true? No!
The command to follow Christ is for all believers, and it is not
optional. As a matter of fact, if one believes that being a Christian is
just simply a matter of making a decision to accept Christ as their
Savior, but then feels no further desire to be obedient to Him, that
person should be forewarned that their very salvation lies in jeopardy.
Following Christ is not just a simple, one-time decision. Rather,
following Christ is a complete change of heart and life. Becoming a
Christian means that all the sinful things of this world begin to lose
their shine and luster. As one grows in the knowledge and understanding
of Christ, the things of this world just seem empty and vain.
Such was the case for Matthew the Tax Collector. Never again was his life the
same. Though we know little about his life after Christ died and was
resurrected, yet we know he continued to minister to the early church.
As a matter of fact, the first book of the New Testament is an account
of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as written by Matthew.
That is exactly the experience ever true believer should have. Though we
still wrestle with sin in our lives all the days we are on this earth,
yet we should expect a gradual sanctification or growing in our
relationship to Christ. Our love for God and for the Lord should
continue to grow and mature, so that we love the things of God more and
more, and the things of the world less and less.
What a wonderful blessing God has given to His people. As Christ continues to call, "Follow me,"
go this day and follow Him. May you find in Him the pearl of great
price, your Savior, your guide, your strength, and your blessing, all of
the days of your life on this earth. And, may you, like Matthew, the Tax Collector, then be ushered into
His great and glorious kingdom, forever and ever!
Devotional Reflections from the Bible
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