Matthew From Publican to Proclaimer

Levi, a Jewish contractor who collected taxes (tariffs) for the Roman government occupying his country, was living large, as today’s saying goes.

He wanted for very little, having the ability to demand revenue from all who passed his way in Capernaum (or, in Hebrew, Kfar Nahum, the “village of Nahum”). The city was an important way station between Jerusalem and Haifa and the rest of the Roman Empire. And Levi had the authority, enforced by Roman power, to demand taxes at will.

But unlike today’s civil servants, who earn a salary while collecting taxes for the government, Levi was on the commission plan. The more he collected, the more he could take off the top as personal profit. If you think that was an incentive to get every last penny from those coming through town, well, you’d be right.

Something, however, must have been missing. Levi, whom we now know as Matthew, was not liked by the Jewish residents of Capernaum. They viewed him as a turncoat, a traitor serving Rome and harming his people. The money was good, but what was the moral injury to Levi’s spirit? How did it feel to be hated by your neighbors, to be viewed with malice even when you went to pray?

Jesus, no stranger to Capernaum, didn’t see Levi that way. He saw potential in this man, eyeing Matthew (a rough translation of “God’s gift” in Hebrew) and simply said, “Follow Me.”

As with John the beloved disciple, Matthew-Levi didn’t hesitate. The money was good, but his heart was bankrupt. Jesus offered a way out, and the taxman grabbed it the way a drowning person would take a life preserver.

More than just receiving Christ’s call, Matthew invited other social outcasts like himself to meet and hear the Master. The party was so noticeable that religious leaders scoffed at a Teacher who ate “with tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 9:11).

Jesus’ response was pitch-perfect: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12). Matthew-Levi was sick at heart, as were the other tax gatherers. But Christ was there to call them to a new way of life.

Reflect: No life is beyond the reach of Christ’s love, compassion, and calling. Is there someone you know who needs to hear the good news? Are you praying for them and reaching out to them?

Key Bible Texts

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. (Matthew 9:9 KJV)