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MATTHEW

Scripture references:
Matthew 9:9; 10:3; Mark 2:14;
Luke 5:27–29

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MATTHEW’S LIFE AND TIMES

We know little about Matthew other than that before he was invited to become a disciple, Matthew collected taxes. In New Testament times, tax collectors were among the outcasts of society. They worked with an oppressive government and often extorted more than was due to line their own pockets. Matthew, who is also called Levi, was among this outcast group.

Because respectable members of society, and especially the religious, did not associate with tax collectors, Matthew had an unusual circle of friends. The New Testament tells us that after Matthew left his office to follow Jesus, Christ ate at his home and was joined there by many “tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 9:9–10). That Jesus would share a meal with such folk scandalized the Pharisees, who were careful never to risk pollution by associating with any “unclean” person or thing.

Matthew reported the Pharisees’ criticism, and He also reported Jesus’ reply. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matt. 9:12; cf. the accounts in Mark 2:13–17; Luke 5:27–29).

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MATTHEW’S GOSPEL

Matthew’s Gospel is the most Jewish of the four portraits of Jesus found in our New Testament. Matthew frequently quotes or alludes to the Old Testament to demonstrate that Jesus fulfilled prophecies about the Messiah.

Matthew carefully deals with questions that would concern any Jew who was told that Jesus Christ is the Messiah: If Jesus is the Messiah, why didn’t He set up the kingdom promised in the Old Testament? If Jesus is the Messiah, what happened to the promised kingdom?

Matthew’s answers are, first, that Jesus did not set up the promised kingdom because God’s people rejected and killed their Messiah (Matt. 16). This too should have been understood from the Old Testament prophets. Isaiah and others indicated that the Messiah would suffer and die for sin (Isa. 53). Second, Matthew indicates that God will yet set up the kingdom envisioned by the prophets, but not until Jesus returns (Matt. 24; 25). The Suffering Servant and the triumphant Ruler envisioned by the prophets are one and the same Person. What the Old Testament prophets did not know was simply that the Messiah’s death and His rule would be separated by an unspecified period of time.

In harmonizing these divergent themes found in the Old Testament, Matthew helped Jews steeped in the Old Testament see Jesus in a new light. They could accept Him in His first-coming mission as Savior without stumbling over His failure to set up an earthly kingdom.

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MATTHEW: AN EXAMPLE FOR TODAY

Each of the synoptic Gospels tells the story of Matthew’s call, the feast Matthew gave afterward to introduce Jesus to his “sinner” friends, and the reaction of the Pharisees. Clearly, important lessons are imbedded in a story that is repeated three times in the New Testament.

•     Matthew is referred to as “Matthew, the tax collector” even when listed with the other disciples (Matt. 10:3). He reminds us that even the outcasts of society have a place in Christ’s kingdom and may well have a significant place!

•     Matthew’s eagerness to expose his friends to Jesus challenges us to resist an enclave mentality. When our only friends are fellow-Christians, it is difficult to see how we can penetrate society with the gospel.

•     Jesus’ choice of Matthew reminds us never to assume that any person, whatever his history, is not a candidate for salvation. Jesus was comfortable in the company of sinners because He truly cared for them. When we show Jesus’ love, even sinners will be comfortable with us.