Choosing Change: The Calling of Matthew

00:00:00 Speaker 1: For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea six six. Dear Lord, thank you for showering us with mercy and grace. Although we were sinners, you died for us and brought us close to you. To day, we reject the shame of our past and run toward you with purpose. We reject vain, religiosity and self righteousness. We say no to any prideful thoughts of superiority. We want to live lives that reflect your character. Lord Jesus. We don't want to judge others for their sins. Instead, empower us to show mercy to others, just as you have shown mercy to us. Give us the wisdom to exercise love without forsaking the truth. Give us eyes to see people as you see them. Lord. In Jesus' name, we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Dramatic stories inspired by the Gospel Remain here to be swept away in the heartwarming story of change and choosing a new path with Matthew the Tax Collector. Follow this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to doing so will keep you updated, but also help us get discovered by more people. We want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world. Thanks for making that possible. Matthew splashed water on his face, trying to wash off the regret from last nights to pravity. The life of a tax collector was ironically taxing. Many nights were spent networking and deliberating rates with other collectors. Spirits, gambling prostitutes usually accompanied these meetings. Matthew enjoyed everything in the moment, but his heart, mind, and body ached with remorse. Each morning. He felt trapped in a vicious cycle of work, depravity, regret, and then work again. He didn't grow up wanting to be a tax collector. No boy grows up with the dreams of swearing fidelity to an oppressive empire and exploiting his kinsmen. Corruption is rarely a single decision, but rather a culmination of many small decisions. Matthew hunched over the mirror. He barely recognized the man he saw. Matthew used to be called by a different name, Levi, the son of Alpheus. He spent his childhood skipping along the shores of Galilee with his brother James. He grew up with dreams of becoming a historian, a scholar with a trustworthy reputation. But one small compromise led to another, and soon enough Levi was thrust into the ranks of corrupt politicians and thieves. Matthew was the name that Romans were comfortable with. 00:03:33 Speaker 2: Where did Levi go? 00:03:35 Speaker 1: Matthew whispered to the barn. He slapped himself awake and splashed his face once more. He put on his garment, picked up his pen and ledger, and walked down the coiled staircase to the courtyard of his home. 00:03:52 Speaker 3: As kids, many of us probably had dreams of what we wanted to be when we grew up. A firefighter, a policeman, a famous rock star, maybe, But those dreams don't always go as planned. Life happens and we find ourselves somewhere very different than we imagined. Sometimes that's a good thing, but other times it turns out to be a nightmare. But the call of Jesus isn't about what's behind us or what we intended to happen. It's about what's ahead once we decide to follow him. Paul writes in Ephesians two ten for We are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand for us to do. God isn't surprised by where we find ourselves now, and we could be sure he knows exactly where He wants to take us next. This is the Jesus Podcast story, showcasing the depth of Christ's love through storytelling and reflection. I'm Zach your host frompray dot Com, and in today's episode, will be reminded that no matter what choices we've made throughout life, it's never too late to follow Jesus. If you've ever sighed at the thought of paying your taxes, you might have something in common with the Jews of Jesus time. Under the heavy hand of Roman oppression, it was just another means to keep the people down. The Romans would auction off the role of tax collectors to private individuals, who then made their living by taxing in excess to keep the profits. You can imagine why Jews serving as tax collectors were quickly despised by their fellow Israelites. Tax collectors were viewed as traders, adding insult to injury to the already herding brothers and sisters oppressed by Rome. If you chose the life of a tax collector and made you an outcast from your people, how could someone break free from this lifestyle and return back to their roots. Follow along as we explore the calling of the tax collector Matthew and learn how we can change through God's grace. 00:05:45 Speaker 1: Matthew had a beautiful estate in the heart of Copernium. Its beams were polished stones, and the courtyard had gardens of non native plants from Rome. Each plant had been a gift from the governor. He was attentive to his tax collectors, insuring guards protected them and inviting them to opulent parties. Yet the perks of the job came with downsides. Ivy covered the large stone walls keeping Matthew's home safe. Being a tax collector was a dangerous profession. They were seen as traitors by their fellow Jews, extortioners and thieves who fed off the suffering of their kin. Matthew didn't protest these accusations since they were mostly accurate. The only way tax collectors got ahead was by raising the rates more than Rome needed. It was a shady business. Most tax collectors numbed their conscience with drinks and parties, but Matthew had had a difficult time for getting lately. Matthew exited the gate of his estate and greeted the Roman guard assigned to him. 00:07:03 Speaker 2: Good morning Christmas. Where are we collecting today? 00:07:07 Speaker 4: The south entrance near the fishmonger's marketplace. Most of those z mongrels are behind on their fish tax. On bringing three more guards with me expecting a fight. 00:07:20 Speaker 2: Ah, yes, my ledgers show that most will also owe their boat tax. If those vessels take up Roman space, they pay Roman tax. 00:07:29 Speaker 1: Matthew was excellent at his job. He was smooth with the Romans, calculated with the Jews, and harmless enough to not intimidate any other tax collectors. He took out his pen and began scribbling notes. As they walked down to the South entrance. Matthew tried his best to ignore the curses of vendors and shopkeepers. However, one particular face caught his eye. Matthew stopped and waved to the man who once. 00:08:01 Speaker 2: Ah James. 00:08:03 Speaker 1: James froze when he saw his brother's face. His lips pursed and his brow furled. 00:08:10 Speaker 5: LEVI or should I call you Matthew? 00:08:14 Speaker 4: I'm not sure which. 00:08:17 Speaker 1: James torn was callous and bitter. He loved his older brother, but couldn't get past the betrayal of losing him to Rome. Matthew had been disowned by his family since joining the ranks of tax collectors. Nobody approved of Matthew's choices, including Matthew himself. 00:08:37 Speaker 2: I'll always be LEVI to you, brother. 00:08:39 Speaker 1: How are you? 00:08:40 Speaker 5: How are Abah and Emma? 00:08:43 Speaker 1: James shook his head and sighed. 00:08:45 Speaker 5: Aba and Emma are struggling to stay ahead with the lack of fish, and they are laid on their taxes, which I'm sure you are aware of. 00:08:56 Speaker 1: James unclenched his fist and sighed. Since becoming a follower of Jesus, James had learned to let his bitterness go, so he softened his face and said. 00:09:08 Speaker 5: I've been following a rabbi from Nazareth. He teaches in ways I've never heard before. I have a feeling he he might be the Messiah. 00:09:19 Speaker 1: Quiet Matthew hushed James and pull him aside, not wanting the guards nearby to hear. 00:09:26 Speaker 2: James, you must be careful about using words like that before the Romans. John the Baptizer has them all on edge. 00:09:35 Speaker 1: James pulled away and shook his head. 00:09:38 Speaker 5: I don't care, Levi, and neither should you. How long has it been since you thought about God at all? How long has it been since you looked around and saw the oppression and suffering of his people. We need deliverance, but you're blind to it. The Romans have stuffed your purse and put wool over your eyes. 00:10:00 Speaker 1: James gave Matthew a loving pat on the shoulder and left. Good bye. 00:10:05 Speaker 5: LEVI try not to get attacked at the fishing village. I know they aren't happy with the new boat tax. 00:10:12 Speaker 1: Matthew knew he was right, but was just too deep into his lifestyle to change. Leaving his family was hard, but leaving the Romans seemed impossible. They owned him. He couldn't return to his father, and no jew would hire him after he'd become a tax collector. All his friends were tax collectors, and all his wealth was taken from the suffering of his kinsmen. He was stuck. Matthew had resigned to a life of comfort, sin, and self loathing. Yet as his brother walked away, Matthew couldn't help but imagine his life if he had never chosen to become a tax collector. He knew there were movements of God and beautiful opportunities out there, but those opportunities weren't ever offered to a tax collector. Matthew spread his ledger on the booth and reviewed the names. Crispus and two other guards stood at attention, while some banged on doors, demanding the report to Matthew for payment. A line of angry villagers awaited in single file. Each of them paid with coins and curses treator. Some yelled dog, others cursed. Some didn't say anything. Instead, they spat at his feet before walking away. Each curse tempted him to charge them more than they owed, But his conversation with his brother had had him feeling sober and knotted up. He twiddled his pen in his hand. He didn't go anywhere without a pen. He had used it to record the debt of nearly every citizen of Copernium. He longed to put his pen to greater use. As Matthew was lost in thought, a group of pharisees passed to curse him. You're despeakable. 00:12:19 Speaker 6: You betrayed God and his people. 00:12:22 Speaker 1: May his judgment be upon you for this. The words stung Matthew, but nothing they could say hurt more than the daily bite of his own shame. The Pharisees continued throwing curses, but paused when they saw some one else approach the booth. He wore the clothes of a craftsman. Behind him were a few familiar faces, the sons of Zebedee, Andrew and Simon, and James, the son of Alpheus, his brother. Matthew's eyes widened. This was the rabbi James had spoken of. The Pharisee shouted at the man. 00:13:06 Speaker 5: Saying, what do you think, Jesus, what judgment of its tax collectors like these? 00:13:15 Speaker 1: Jesus looked at Matthew with an understanding grin, then looked at the Pharisees and replied. 00:13:21 Speaker 7: Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a pharisee and the other a tax collector. The pharisee stood before the altar and prayed, God, I thank you that I am not like the other people robbers, swindlers, evildoers, adulterers, or even this tax collector. 00:13:44 Speaker 1: I if asked twice a. 00:13:46 Speaker 7: Week, and I give a tenth of all I get. But the tax collector stood at a distance, not even looking up to heaven. He beat his chest and cried, God, have mercy, for I am a sinner. 00:14:03 Speaker 1: Jesus paused and looked at Matthew. The tax Collector's eyes began to water and his throat clenched. Jesus was speaking directly to him, now, eyes piercing his soul. 00:14:20 Speaker 7: I tell you that the tax collector, rather than the pharisee, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 00:14:36 Speaker 1: Matthew's eyes locked with Jesus, his jaw quivered, and his chest tightened. His heart began to stir. Could he ever be justified before God? Was there any mercy in heaven reserved for a sinner like him? Matthew was lost in thought until he heard one of Jesus's followers grumble behind him. 00:15:05 Speaker 4: Master, this man is taking a lot from us. I'd prefer not to be in front of him much longer. 00:15:13 Speaker 1: Matthew turned away when he heard the words. Matthew was suspended between two places. On one hand, he longed for change. He longed to follow a rabbi like Jesus and make a difference in the world. On the other he was too steeped in his lifestyle to change now. Just as Matthew was about to return to work, he heard his name, Levi, son of Alfas, follow me. Matthew turned his head up and looked at Jesus ah me. His hands were trembling. Jesus nodded and turned to walk away. Matthew looked at the guards who stood at attention. Confused and concerned, Matthew watched Jesus leave. If he left his post as a tax collector, his livelihood would be gone, his home would be seized, and his friends would turn on him. And would he even be able to coexist with some of the men he had exploited. Matthew felt the clock ticking as Jesus walked away. It was now or never. Matthew's heart pounded in his chest. The life he was living was a result of thousands of small decisions. All those choices had led him to a sad and sorry life, but one big decision could undo it all and bring him back. It took thousands of choices to fall away from God, but just one would bring him back. With a trembling voice, Matthew turned to the guard and said. 00:17:03 Speaker 2: I'm sorry, Christmas, but I think my days as a tax collector have come to an end. 00:17:09 Speaker 1: Before Crispus could respond, Matthew darted towards Jesus. He quickly turned around and retrieved his pen. The line of people waiting at the booth clamored in confusion and started turning away. The guards drew their clubs and yelled for everyone to calm down. Matthew didn't look back. He looked ahead, Jesus wait. Jesus and his companions turned around. Matthew stumbled forward and into them. James, the son of Alpheus, was there to catch him. Matthew smiled, eyes watering with tears of hope and freedom. Dozens of tax collectors and officials poured in and out of the open gates. Matthew's home Wants, an empty tomb of loneliness, was alive with laughter and deep conversation. He sat at the table with Jesus, enjoying what was guaranteed to be the last of his wealth. It was only a matter of time before the Roman government seized Matthew's estate, so he took advantage of his wealth and welcomed his friends to meet Jesus. The men were outcasts from the Jewish community. No self respecting rabbi of the time would ever be caught sharing a table with tax collectors and sinners. Yet Jesus wasn't like the other rabbis. He knew that men like Matthew were yearning for something more, something deeper and eternal. Some uninvited guests entered the gates with their noses held high in the air. The Pharisees were vexed by Jesus' audacity. He had gained quite a reputation of lady, drawing crowds away from them and raising their suspicions. They scoffed and questioned one of Jesus'. 00:19:09 Speaker 6: Followers, why does your teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners? Doesn't he know the stain he puts on his reputation, they'll know him as a drunkard and glutton. 00:19:23 Speaker 1: They raised their question loud enough for Jesus to hear. They were trying to insult Jesus while detracting some of his followers. Jesus rose to his feet and turned to the Pharisees. There was a long silence. The tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife. Jesus gave Matthew and the others a reassuring smile. Then he shouted to the Pharisees. 00:19:52 Speaker 8: The healthy have no need of a physician, do they. It's the sick who require a doctor's care. 00:19:59 Speaker 1: Jesus stepped forward forward, jabbing at the Pharisees where it really hurt their knowledge of the law and prophets. 00:20:06 Speaker 8: You need to go and reread the prophets Hoseiah and Samuel. Clearly you've forgotten what the Lord meant when he said I desire mercy, not sacrifice. 00:20:16 Speaker 7: I haven't come to flatter myself among the righteous. I've come to bring sinners to repentance. 00:20:23 Speaker 1: The Pharisee snarled and turned away. They were like wolves, scurrying back to their dens. At the shepherd's roar, Jesus sat back down with Matthew and the others. He raised his cup to them and taught them more about what being a part of God's eternament kingdom meant. Matthew breathed a sigh of relief. He had chosen the right path. What he would lose and worldly status paled compared to what he had gained. In Jesus. 00:21:02 Speaker 3: It's estimated that the average adult makes about thirty five thousand choices every single day, from the simple choices like what we'll eat or where to the bigger ones like what job we're going to pursue or where we're going to live. Over time, these choices bring us to this very moment in our lives. Under these circumstances, it feels as though the possibilities of how our lives will end up our infinite. It could be a daunting thought. What if I make too many wrong choices? What if my life goes off track? Will I send myself spiraling under a constant cycle of failure after failure after failure. Will one bad decision be a domino effect in a million other bad decisions? Am I going to spiral out of control if I'm not perfect? What's so great about the Gospel is that it offers us a chance to break the cycle, and that we could always turn and make a change. What's also great about the Gospel is that our pedigree doesn't reflect how God sees us. We can't take credit for the good things in our lives, as all good things come from the Father. But likewise we don't have to live with the weight of guilt because Jesus has paid our debt and offers us redemption. When we choose to follow Jesus, he makes us altogether new. Paul talks about this idea in Philippians three and verses four through six. Paul explains that he, of all people, has a right to brag. He has a background and a pedigree to boast about. He was a pharisee, he followed the law to a tee, and he had more reason to have confidence in the flesh than anyone else. But then he takes a turn. In verses seven through eleven of chapter three, he tells us that whatever confidence he did have in himself, he no longer has when he started following Jesus. He found those things to be garbage compared to the joy of knowing Jesus and being found in him. Wherever we find ourselves in life, it's never too late to turn our lives around and begin following Jesus. Let's start there. Wherever we find ourselves in life, it's never too late to turn around and begin following Jesus. Someone like Matthew can build up their life by many, many earthly standards, great wealth, stability and work, and favor among those that are above him in society. But for Matthew it came at a cost to his morals. It came at a cost to losing his family and friends, and worst of all, it came at a cost of losing himself and his relationship with God. As you surrounded himself with corruption, it was only a matter of time before that corruption really got to him. Just like Matthew, we have to be careful of letting this happen to ourselves. We all must be wary of that type of downward spiral. The apostle Paul warns us of this in one Corinthians fifteen when he writes, do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character. What we surround ourselves with will eventually consume us. For Matthew, this created complications he didn't know how to handle. With one foot in his religious roots and one foot in the Roman Empire. His greatest battle was with himself. Who have I become? Where did LEVI go? Is what he said to himself. Unfortunately, maybe you could relate to this. You find yourself faced with decisions that seemed to conflict with your faith, and what you know to be true, and over time your decisions have pulled you away from God. But when Jesus causes us to follow him, he calls us to leave our old selves behind. Our choice must be deliberate and determined. We can't live with one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom of God. As Matthew records Jesus's most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, he recollects Jesus's words in Matthew six, do not store off for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermins destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store off for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermins do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there, your heart will be. 00:24:40 Speaker 1: Also. 00:24:41 Speaker 3: Jesus is in condemning money or those who possess it, Jesus is challenging our hearts. He's asking us to consider what is most important to us. Are we choosing to place earthly gain above heavenly favor. Are we choosing ourselves over our savior? Are we following our desires over the spirit's desires for us? As Matthew wrote out these words. They probably hit a deep place in his heart. Perhaps it was a moment of retrospection on the incredible journey Jesus had taken him through in his life. For Matthew and for us, it's a powerful reminder that we're never too far gone for God to bring us back to him. We can always choose to return. Nobody grows up expecting to be corrupt and lost somewhere down the road. It just happens. And when we choose to come before Christ, it could be a shocking experience. In the light of His goodness, all of our sins are exposed. We have to come to grips with all of our shortcomings and previous decisions to choose sin, and like Matthew, we might not even recognize who we've become. But remember that God is full of mercy, choosing to forgive us of our sins, and full of grace to shower us with his abundant, life giving love. We shouldn't let our past hinder our progress in the present. Let me say that again. We shouldn't let our past hinder our progress in the present. At the same time, we shouldn't have nor what happens we have to confess our sins and ask God to help us learn from them. This is a call to leverage your past mistakes to give you a stepping stone towards a better future. I'm sure Matthew's past sins gave him an even deeper understanding of Jesus's grace, maybe where other apostles didn't quite understand. The possibilities of what Christ can do with our lives are limitless. No past failures, mistakes, or shortcomings can change that. When we receive Jesus, we also receive his spirit, and it's not in the spirit's nature to enter into a place and leave things unchanged. This is especially true in our lives. In mercy, Jesus accepts us as we are, but in love he calls us to something greater. Meditate on that today you are accepted and chosen to follow Jesus, despite your past failures or your future mistakes. He's called you to a process, and he knows you're not a finished product. The grand narrative of the Bible is all about God bringing glory to his name, and what's more glorious than the reality that God can and will use any want to spread the good news of Jesus and accomplish his plans. Choose God and he will always choose you. He will never leave you or forsake you, nor will he reject you for your past sins. We don't have to be ashamed of our past as we boldly profess the name of Jesus. We don't have to worry about what people will think of our past, and we don't have to be afraid of the people who will question our choice to follow Jesus. The change will be evident in our lives, and it will speak to the beauty of the Gospel. The only thing hindering us is ourselves at the end of the day. Perhaps it's fear, doubt, feelings, the worthlessness, or the pull of pride, but Jesus's offer is loud and clear. Follow me despite all these things. The choice is yours to make now. He's waiting for you with open arms. In our next episode, we're going to meet someone who may very well be Matthew's opposite. He's a ruler of the religious elite, an esteemed rabbi, and well known as a pharisee. But when faced with the reality of Jesus's words and works, he can't help but be curious. Join us next time for an encounter between Jesus Us and Nicodemus