SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (FEAST)

Follow me.

Years of scolding from angry or self-righteous neighbors could not move Matthew out of his Roman tax office. But then with just one word from Jesus, this tax collector left it all behind.

Why such a drastic change? Because Jesus’ invitation sparked hope in Matthew. Maybe he could find his way back to God after all! Other men of God had shunned Matthew because of his corrupt profession and worldly lifestyle, but this “Man of Mercy” was different. Jesus reached out to him as a physician reaches out to his patients. He wasn’t intimidated by Matthew’s job. On the contrary, he seemed emboldened by it.

Right away, Matthew showed signs of being an enthusiastic evangelist. He threw a great feast and invited other known sinners to join him and Jesus. As an apostle, he followed Jesus and watched as he proclaimed the kingdom of God. After Pentecost, there was no stopping him as he poured his whole life into the gospel. According to tradition, Matthew traveled both to Ethiopia and Persia to preach. Today he is known as Matthew the Evangelist because of the Gospel that bears his name.

Imagine what would have happened if Matthew had not left his tollbooth that day when Jesus called him. Imagine if he had left Jesus as others did when his message became difficult, or if he had never returned after deserting Jesus in Gethsemane. But none of this happened because Matthew didn’t let human wisdom or self-preservation control him. He kept holding on to Jesus instead. And as a result, millions upon millions of lives have been changed by his words and his witness.

Take a moment now to recall some of the things Jesus has done in you and for you. What if you shared your life in Christ with the same kind of freedom that Matthew had? Imagine how many lives could be changed. You don’t have to do it all at once, either. Just take a couple of small steps in faith and watch where the Lord leads you.

“Jesus, help me to reach out today to someone who is far from you.”

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Psalm 19:2-5
Matthew 9:9-13

WORD AMONG US