Who Do I Relate To? Matthew?

Has someone else been put into a position, or given a job, for which you have lots of experience? And, after seeing how poorly the job was performed wondered why they didn't remove that person and ask you to do it?

That was Matthew. He was use to handling money as a tax collector, but the job of handling the money box was given to Judas, who along the way skimmed funds from it. How hard was it for Matthew to see that happen?

But as a tax collector Matthew knew exactly how other Jews viewed him. Like scum. He never forgave himself for this; he always referred to himself as the "tax-collector."

In other words, he knew the moment he joined the group that the others didn't like him. That they wouldn't have chosen him to be part of the select group to support and learn from Jesus. He was for a period of time the outsider to the inside group...the odd man out, so to speak.

How much did Matthew have to do to show he had changed? That he could be trusted? That he was faithful to the group and to Jesus? Did they trust the changes they saw he made in his actions and words?

Perhaps the dinner party he threw was an effort to show everyone he was for Jesus and his message. Luke mentions it was a great feast with other tax collectors and back-slidden Jews in attendance, thus giving the opportunity for the word to get out to those he knew.

Which brings up another point about Matthew. He was well respected among his fellow tax collectors or they wouldn't have gone to the dinner. Why would they go see a man who was calling for change in the way life was lived? Even if he was making the pharisees mad.

In the end, by the time the gospels were written only Matthew continues to refer to his previous profession. All the other gospels refer to him simply as Matthew. They forgave him. They saw the change. They accepted him and included him in as part of the group. He continued as one of them even after the master's death.

I can relate to Matthew on so many levels. I sometimes have trouble forgiving myself for past actions that others have long forgotten; regretting they ever happened and being unable to erase the past. As for being overlooked for jobs or positions, this has not been an easy thing to experience. But, if I wait long enough I do see God's hand in it.

Matthew is thought to have preached in Parthia and Ethopia, where he died as a martyr. In his gospel you can read how he viewed Jesus as fulfilling prophecy as the Messiah, the King of the Jews, with a focus on his teachings. In the following passages you can read about him: Matthew 9:9-17, 10:3; Mark 2:14-22, 3:18; Luke 5:29-39, 6:15; Acts 1:13.