Matthew Profiles

MATTHEW

Matthew 9:9-13

More than any other disciple, Matthew had a clear idea of how much it would cost to follow Jesus, yet he did not hesitate a moment. When he left his tax-collecting booth, he guaranteed himself unemployment. For several of the other disciples, there was always fishing to return to, but for Matthew, there was no turning back.

Two changes happened to Matthew when he decided to follow Jesus. First, Jesus gave him a new life. He not only belonged to a new group; he belonged to the Son of God. He was not just accepting a different way of life; he was now an accepted person. For a despised tax collector, that change must have been wonderful! Second, Jesus gave Matthew a new purpose for his skills. When he followed Jesus, the only tool from his past job that he carried with him was his pen. From the beginning, God had made him a record keeper. Jesus’ call eventually allowed him to put his skills to their finest work. Matthew was a keen observer, and he undoubtedly recorded what he saw going on around him. The Gospel that bears his name came as a result.

Matthew’s experience points out that each of us, from the beginning, is one of God’s works in progress. Much of what God has for us he gives long before we are able to consciously respond to him. He trusts us with skills and abilities ahead of schedule. He has made each of us capable of being his servant. When we trust him with what he has given us, we begin a life of real adventure. Matthew couldn’t have known that God would use the very skills he had sharpened as a tax collector to record the greatest story ever lived. And God has no less meaningful a purpose for each one of us. Have you recognized Jesus saying to you, “Follow me”? What has been your response?

Strengths and accomplishments	Was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples Responded immediately to Jesus’ call Invited many friends to his home to meet Jesus Compiled the Gospel of Matthew Clarified for his Jewish audience Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies
Lessons from his life	Jesus consistently accepted people from every level of society Matthew was given a new life, and his God-given skills of record keeping and attention to detail were given a new purpose Having been accepted by Jesus, Matthew immediately tried to bring others into contact with Jesus
Vital statistics	Where: Capernaum Occupations: Tax collector, disciple of Jesus Relative: Father: Alphaeus Contemporaries: Jesus, Pilate, Herod, other disciples
Key verse	“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).

Matthew’s story is told in the Gospels. He is also mentioned in Acts 1:13.