Blog
“Matthew”
Categories: Shepherd's CornerThinking back on Matthew’s story (Matthew 9:9-13), I am reminded that everyone needs encouragement, needs someone to believe in them, needs someone to look past their faults, sin, and shortcomings and see what they could become and not what they are at that moment in time.
I’m convinced that the few disciples following Jesus at the time didn’t feel that Matthew was worth redeeming and certainly not worthy of joining their ranks as disciples in following Jesus. I don’t think it ever entered their minds that this greedy Roman tax collector would one day be recounting and recording the story of Jesus instead of counting all the money being made off of Jewish families (Jesus included). Matthew would lay down all of the comforts that Rome afforded him and ultimately give his life defending Jesus Christ. I don’t believe they thought a Roman tax collector would answer the call and follow these words of Jesus (Matthew 8:18-22). A calling that would ultimately change his life and ours.
This Roman tax collector (Matthew) writes a book about the life of Christ that would helped bring countless people into a saving relationship with God Almighty for more than two thousand years and counting! I’m thankful that Jesus stopped by the tax collector’s office that day. What a difference Matthew has made in following Jesus!
There is someone right now who needs you to encourage them, believe that they can become more than they are at this moment in time, and look past the embarrassing mistakes and sin they have committed and see them for who they can become in Christ. You see, it might just be another Matthew that we encouraging to obey Jesus and ultimately change the world. Everyone needs Jesus!!
Remember, God uses the broken people of this world to help heal the broken people of this world through Jesus Christ!!
