Title: Let us all, like Matthew, follow Jesus!
Text: Matthew 9:9-13
Text: Matthew 9:9-13
Facebook live: Let us all, like Matthew, follow Jesus!
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
As we begin today with our gospel reading, Jesus sees Matthew as he is sitting in his Tax office and he says to him, “Follow Me.”
The response is immediate. Matthew got up and followed him.
This begins a life of service to his Lord. It was not always easy, but we can be sure that it was always special as he walked in the presence of the living Christ.
This man had been called Levi, the son of Alphaeus as St. Mark tells us in his gospel, but from now on Matthew continues with a new name and a new calling.
It is possible that Matthew may have known Jesus before this time.
He may have heard of him or even heard him, but there is no mistaking he is now the Lord’s and God’s call is always effective. Jesus was directly enrolling Matthew in the Lord’s work and he would be standing in Christ’s closest circle of followers.
The words of Jesus were simple and direct.
I don’t know if there were other conversations that preceded this call but the simple two words were
enough for him: “Follow Me.”
Jesus called others too: fisherman, brothers, Nathaniel who he saw while he sat under a fig tree, and even one who would betray him. But today it is Matthew.
The invitation and calling still comes to us today.
Some of you heard the call as infants in the waters of Holy Baptism, while others hear God’s inspired word that calls you to believe as you talk to friends or grieve the loss of a dear loved one at a funeral or visitation. God works through the ordinary times and circumstances of life to bring himself and this reality to you.
God’s word and his call are sure.
We shouldn’t think that it was easy for Matthew to walk away from his life and the work he did. He probably had a lucrative income and a family, we’re not sure but it is never easy to give up things that are important in our lives and in our past to serve Jesus. But God makes it happen and rewarding.
The gospel continues in a most interesting way.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.
If you had friends over to your house, who would they be?
Well, maybe people like you.
People that work with you, socialize with you, live with you, live near you, and those whom you desire to know or get to know better.
You also might want them to know your friends and those friends that are new to you, like Jesus.
It is not surprising that Matthew had tax collectors and sinners in his home and at this feast. He may have even invited the Pharasees to expand his circle of friends or to bring them the Good News to follow Christ as well.
They were not happy with the whole affair or Jesus who reclined at table.
Saying, to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Which is another way of saying,
“Why do you eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Which is another way of saying,
“Why does your teacher eat with you?”
To this Jesus answers with his words of great perspective:
12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Also quoting the familiar words of the Prophet Hosea from our Old Testament reading today:
‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus takes his critics to task.
Jesus points out the inherent problem with their reasoning.
They think they are well!
They don’t realize the sickness that dwells with in all born in sin who are all born to die. They think those connected to Jesus have the problem, but Jesus is not the problem, he is the cure.
Christ alone is the great physician!
He alone can save!
He alone can heal!
The person who thinks he is spiritually well, who thinks he is righteous and perfect and without sin, may not feel the need for a savior - having a lifelong rebellion against God and the things of God.
You know them and I know them. If fact we were them, especially when we think:
“I’m doing pretty good and I can make it one my own. At least, I’m not as bad as, you know who!” Tax collectors and sinners!
Many live that way and are without hope.
No Jesus.
No future hope.
No eternity in his presence.
But a real eternity, separated from God in Christ forever.
Don’t fight and throw away the gift!
Jesus doesn’t want your work. He wants you.
Jesus doesn’t want your stuff. He wants you.
Jesus doesn’t need your money. It’s all his anyways.
But his does want you to be his child, and he wants you to trust all that he came to do, for you!
The Pharisees never really felt the need for the mercy of God, or the comfort he gives because they trusted themselves. Maybe that is why they were so unloving towards others?
Many today live the life of a pharisee as they trust themselves, trust their schools, trust their jobs, and trust their families and friends, to be their guide and aid in the good and bad times of life.
Don’t place your hope in things that pass away.
It was not easy for Matthew to walk the way of following Jesus. It cost him much but also gave him much more that he gave up.
Our call is to follow Jesus and to invite others to know him because he desires that they would be his children as well.
Look to the empty tomb and know that because Jesus Christ, conquered sin, death, and the devil we too by faith in his work shall rise to an eternity with him also.
Hear the call of the Lord. Follow me!
Let us all, like Matthew, follow Jesus!
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Jesus called others too: fisherman, brothers, Nathaniel who he saw while he sat under a fig tree, and even one who would betray him. But today it is Matthew.
The invitation and calling still comes to us today.
Some of you heard the call as infants in the waters of Holy Baptism, while others hear God’s inspired word that calls you to believe as you talk to friends or grieve the loss of a dear loved one at a funeral or visitation. God works through the ordinary times and circumstances of life to bring himself and this reality to you.
God’s word and his call are sure.
We shouldn’t think that it was easy for Matthew to walk away from his life and the work he did. He probably had a lucrative income and a family, we’re not sure but it is never easy to give up things that are important in our lives and in our past to serve Jesus. But God makes it happen and rewarding.
The gospel continues in a most interesting way.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.
If you had friends over to your house, who would they be?
Well, maybe people like you.
People that work with you, socialize with you, live with you, live near you, and those whom you desire to know or get to know better.
You also might want them to know your friends and those friends that are new to you, like Jesus.
It is not surprising that Matthew had tax collectors and sinners in his home and at this feast. He may have even invited the Pharasees to expand his circle of friends or to bring them the Good News to follow Christ as well.
They were not happy with the whole affair or Jesus who reclined at table.
Saying, to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Which is another way of saying,
“Why do you eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Which is another way of saying,
“Why does your teacher eat with you?”
To this Jesus answers with his words of great perspective:
12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Also quoting the familiar words of the Prophet Hosea from our Old Testament reading today:
‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus takes his critics to task.
Jesus points out the inherent problem with their reasoning.
They think they are well!
They don’t realize the sickness that dwells with in all born in sin who are all born to die. They think those connected to Jesus have the problem, but Jesus is not the problem, he is the cure.
Christ alone is the great physician!
He alone can save!
He alone can heal!
The person who thinks he is spiritually well, who thinks he is righteous and perfect and without sin, may not feel the need for a savior - having a lifelong rebellion against God and the things of God.
You know them and I know them. If fact we were them, especially when we think:
“I’m doing pretty good and I can make it one my own. At least, I’m not as bad as, you know who!” Tax collectors and sinners!
Many live that way and are without hope.
No Jesus.
No future hope.
No eternity in his presence.
But a real eternity, separated from God in Christ forever.
Don’t fight and throw away the gift!
Jesus doesn’t want your work. He wants you.
Jesus doesn’t want your stuff. He wants you.
Jesus doesn’t need your money. It’s all his anyways.
But his does want you to be his child, and he wants you to trust all that he came to do, for you!
The Pharisees never really felt the need for the mercy of God, or the comfort he gives because they trusted themselves. Maybe that is why they were so unloving towards others?
Many today live the life of a pharisee as they trust themselves, trust their schools, trust their jobs, and trust their families and friends, to be their guide and aid in the good and bad times of life.
Don’t place your hope in things that pass away.
It was not easy for Matthew to walk the way of following Jesus. It cost him much but also gave him much more that he gave up.
Our call is to follow Jesus and to invite others to know him because he desires that they would be his children as well.
Look to the empty tomb and know that because Jesus Christ, conquered sin, death, and the devil we too by faith in his work shall rise to an eternity with him also.
Hear the call of the Lord. Follow me!
Let us all, like Matthew, follow Jesus!
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
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