I want you to picture a man, not an ordinary man by any stretch of the imagination, but a man of means and prominence in his community. Now this man commands almost everything within the sphere of his influence. Nearly everything, but one. He was not the “commander in chief” of his soul. Like the rest of humanity, Matthew needed the One who called him into the service of the Lord. He needed salvation, but for him to advance, the Lord’s disciples needed to rise above all that he knew and could comprehend. The Scriptures do not reveal much about the tax collector other than he and OTHER sinners were marked among men. This made him seem “worthy” of the demarcation as the leech of society. The Pharisees stated, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11b, NKJV). Judging by their standards, Matthew and any other like him were not worthy of the social accommodations afforded to a single human being!
Can you picture Matthew when Jesus called his name among men? Here is a man, rightly or unjustly, given the sense of unworthiness, yet Jesus CLEARLY stated, “Follow me” (Matthew 9:9b). What is more significant is Matthew’s response…he “arose and followed Him” (Matthew 9:9c). What an integral scene to be held by almost no one! What do we mean? God calls the prodigal continually; even so, “many are called and few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Even though very few of us deny we are sinners, almost none of us desire to be labeled as such NOR sit in the company of like-minded, like-actioned, like-condemned people!
We love to hear our names recited on the lips of others, but we do not respond when the accusation of being lost is attached. Neither do we think it is justified to keep reminding us of this failure. Let’s keep the lesson at hand, Matthew, when addressed, “followed”. Obviously, God does not give us the entirety of the solicitation, but do we genuinely need to see how many questions surrounded the invitation? Jesus states, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). What stands at stake is a seat on the Throne with Him…forever! If you can Picture Matthew, you might be able to picture yourself. I know I can.
Think about these things,
Archie R. Green
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