Matthew

Matthew 9:9-13

I'm not sure I would have liked Matthew. I'm not sure you would have liked him either. He was a tax collector, but not of the IRS* play-by-the-rules ilk. No, he was most likely of the how-much-money-can-I-skim-from-you variety. Think of your local extortioner. You probably can't even think of one, so better yet think of someone who has ripped you off. That's Matthew. Scam artist. Matthew.

Jesus came to call the sinners and sometimes those sinners aren't fun. Sometimes sinners rip you off or cut you off. They say stupid things; they say hurtful things. They gossip behind your back or lie to your face.

Jesus told the Pharisees, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13).

Right now, what sinners are in your life? Whose unhealthiness is bringing you down? Just remember, Matthew. Jesus called Matthew and he's calling them. Who knows? They might just leave all and follow Christ. Who knows? They might just be the right people for God to use to show His mighty transforming merciful power.



*Not that I love IRS (internal revenue service) agents