As we continue highlighting the disciples that Jesus changed and used for his service, Matthew’s story will show us the transformational power Jesus can have in someone’s life.
Matthew, formerly known as Levi, had devoted his life to being a tax collector for the Romans. As such, he was in a position to overcharge the Jewish population and pocket the excess charges. The Jews hated Levi for his dishonesty, cheating and character flaws. These were the things that defined him before he had an encounter with Jesus.
As Jesus walks through Capernaum, one of the three cities in which taxes are collected in Israel, he stops at the tax booth where Matthew works. Jesus calls Matthew to follow him. Without questions or explanations, Matthew rises from his booth, leaves behind his livelihood and follows Jesus.
Jesus doesn’t ask for Matthew’s credentials, his list of good works or his letters of recommendation from trustworthy sources. Jesus looks at Matthew and sees a sinner in need of a savior.
Matthew 9 continues this story as Jesus intentionally goes to Matthew’s house and reclines to eat with Matthew and his friends. The Jewish religious leaders of that day question Jesus and his tendencies to congregate with the liars, the poor and the needy.
Jesus replies, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”
Jesus, the Great Physician, did not come to earth to sit with the proclaimed holy people and gossip about the blatant sinners. Jesus came to seek out the lost, save the broken and transform lives for his service.
Matthew goes on to write a Gospel for the Jews. This book is written to the same people who, when Matthew was known as Levi, hated him because of his stealing and untrustworthiness.
Jesus transforms lives that seem to be too far gone. In the same way that Jesus transforms Matthew in the Bible, he can transform lives today.
Jesus uses the same power today that he used to change a sinful tax collector into a faithful disciple. The potential that we each have in Jesus is far beyond any potential we think we have on our own.
When we put our faith in Jesus and our lives at his service, he wipes clean the slate of lies we used to live. Jesus isn’t looking for “perfect people” to use, he is looking for hearts that are willing to serve him.
