Relating to the Inner Twelve - Matthew

 Our next apostle had a mind for numbers and could write well. He was a quiet worker who hailed from Capernaum. He didn't ask questions, but he recorded all he saw and learned, which he eventually put into the first gospel of the Bible.

Matthew, also called Levi, experienced complexities none of the others dealt with as apostles of Jesus. 

First, he came to the group as the Roman government's tax collector with whom the men were acquainted. He knew exactly how they and other Jews viewed him. Like scum. No one liked him. Given the choice, the rest of Jesus's followers wouldn't have chosen him to be part of the inner group that would support and learn from Jesus. But he was chosen by Jesus. So, for some time, he was the outsider to the insider group - the odd man out - so to speak. 

I don't know how long it took, but we can see in the other gospels he is simply called Matthew. In other words, they forgave him. They saw a change in him and accepted him. Including him in as part of the group. He even continued as one of them after the master's death. (Acts 1) However, he never forgot this fact about himself.  Years later when he wrote his gospel, he referred to himself as the "tax-collector".

One has to wonder what he had to do to change the minds of those in the inner circle? Did the dinner party he threw for the group at his house help? Luke 5 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. Point in fact here, Matthew had a very large house to host all those people.

This brings up another point about Matthew. He was well respected among his fellow tax collectors or they wouldn't have gone to the dinner. I mean, why would they have attended a meal where the man who pulled Matthew away from a profitable business wants to talk to them? Yet, they came to hear what Matthew and Jesus had to say.

By his own writings we know two things. He attended the Sermon on the Mount because he recorded all that Jesus taught. Two long chapters of notes. He shares several stories before he documents Jesus calling him to leave the tax collecting business. Like Andrew, he chose to leave money making behind and follow Jesus when he was called.

Which brings up an interesting aspect of Matthew. He was experienced at handling money as a tax collector, yet he was not given the job of handling the money box. That job was given to Judas, who reportedly over time skimmed funds from the container. How hard was it for Matthew to see that happen? I'm sure he knew he could do a better job.

I can relate to Matthew on so many levels. I sometimes have trouble forgiving myself for past actions that others have long forgotten. It takes reminding myself I am forgiven so that I don't let it bring me despair. I've also been overlooked for jobs and positions for which I was qualified. This has not been an easy thing to experience. But, if I wait long enough I do see God's reason for the let down.

It is through Matthew that Jesus showed the disciples, and us, that He accepts all people. Even those who are thought to be among the lowest sinners. Jesus not only accepts them but calls those rejected by others to be close to Him and in the inner group who follow Him. How sweet is that? Can you relate to that?

Matthew is thought to have preached in Parthia and Ethiopia, where tradition says 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, 10; Mark 2, 3; Luke 5, 6; Acts 1, 5.

Relating to Inner Twelve - Andrew

This week we return to another quiet worker, but one who shows us many good things with which we can identify. He's a great follow-up to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Let's take a look.

In Luke and Mark, Andrew enters the picture as a fisherman from the Bethsaida/Capernaum area. By deduction we know, he had to be a strong muscular man from all the years of pulling in nets filled with fish. The book of Luke tells us he and his brother were business partners with Zebedee's sons, who by the way employed workers. (Luke 5) Knowing this, we can say he was a well-to-do man, not wealthy, but better off than most in those days.

In fact, he owned a house with Simon. One that was large enough to hold extended family in it, and some after-synagogue gatherings. (Mark 1,2,3; Luke 4,8; Matthew 8)

So, in other words, he led a successful life as many might see it. He was in great physical shape, had a thriving business, and a house some may have desired. Yet, we know he was seeking more of God.

How do we know this? He not only went to hear John the Baptist but ended up becoming a student, or disciple, of his. Andrew was there when Jesus walked by after his forty days in the wilderness. When John the Baptist specifically pointed out Jesus as the Son of God (or Lamb of God depending on your translation), Andrew and his friend John followed Jesus immediately without hesitation. This action was repeated again in Matthew 4 when the men were back to work, after spending time with Jesus, and it was now time for Jesus to begin His travels, He came to Andrew's place of business and called for him. Andrew just dropped it all to follow Jesus. No questions asked as far as we know.

I see that he had the right priorities in his life. He didn't allow work or making money to stop him from joining Jesus. I can say that I am not always able to drop what I'm working on and just leave it. I suppose, though, if Jesus were standing there in person and directing me, it might be more easily done.

Before we proceed, I need to back track a moment to focus on one other thing that Andrew did. When he left John the Baptist to follow The Messiah, Andrew spent a short period of time with Him, but then he went to fetch his brother, Simon Peter. (John 1, Luke 4) He was spreading the word of The Messiah's arrival. When you find the truth, do you share it right away? Note Andrew saw for himself first, made sure he had the right information, then reached out to the closest person to him.

So far, he seems to have the ideal attitude and walk with the Lord. But, Andrew's walk with Jesus wasn't without hiccups. He and Philip seemed to be on the same line of thinking when Jesus asked about feeding a massive crowd of people. (John 6) First, Andrew reports about a young boy having five loaves and two fish. Then we see the agreement he has with Philip when he sarcastically in a doubt-filled-manner ends the report with, "... but how far would that go with this huge crowd?" Of course, he gets to experience the answer to his own question. Have you ever told God, sarcastically or not, that it can't be done? Has God ever shown you that the impossible can be done? (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Then there was the time Andrew helped Philip with a request made by Gentile strangers. (John 12) The result... they and everyone around the apostles are told basically Jesus has a greater focus happening. Not exactly the answer they were looking for. On the other hand, we see a different result in Mark 13. Andrew, along with the closest three apostles, wanted to to know about the future and the end of time. So they asked. What they got was a long reply filled with the signs they wanted to know. Andrew wasn't afraid to ask questions - whether he got the answer he wanted or one that seemed out in left field. He asked.

I can relate to Andrew's desire to know the Messiah, it is a daily part of my journey through life. As far as his desire to know details of the end of time, we are all curious. I need to remember to ask Jesus questions, even if the previous reply was not what I wanted to hear. Do you ask questions of the Lord? Do you seek to know Him better? Perhaps, there is a little of Andrew within you as well.

Andrew is said to have preached in Asia Minor, Greece and Scythia before being crucified on an X-shaped cross that is now known as a St. Andrew's cross. There are many verses to peruse regarding Andrew: Matthew 4:18-20, 10:2; Mark 1:16-31, 3:18, 13:1-23; Luke 5:1-11, 6:14; John 1:35-44, 6:8-9, 12:20-22; Acts 1, 5:17-42.