#10 – Matthew: Gift of God

It is possible that Levi the son of Alphaeus is the physical brother to the other apostle named James the son of Alphaeus. (Mt. 10:3 & Mk 2:14) If this is true, we have 3 pairs of brothers in the original 12 apostles. 1- (Simon) Peter & Andrew sons of Jona, 2-James & John sons of Zebedee, 3- (Levi) Matthew & James sons of Alphaeus. It is interesting to note that both secular history and the Scriptures tell us more about these 6 apostles than the other half. Could there be a purpose in this? Perhaps we might think God is telling us: If you work together as brothers, you’ll get more done! Instead of trying to work together in a leader/follower or master/servant relationship. This is taught with clarity and certainty in Ephesians 5:21, where Paul tells the whole church to submit to one another in the fear of God, brotherly love is a command, Rom. 12:10, 1st. Ths. 4:9, Heb. 13:1 & 2nd. Pet. 1:7, and makes teamwork into victory!

How was this ‘brother’ called? Jesus passed the custom-house where Matthew was seated, and said to him, "Follow me." Matthew followed him, and became his disciple (Matt 9:9). Formerly his name was Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27); he now changed it, possibly in grateful memory of his call. The same day Jesus called him he made a "great feast" (Luke 5:29), perhaps a farewell, to which he invited Jesus and his disciples, and also many of his old associates. This was the precursor to the beginning of a new life, from Levi (adhesive) to Matthew (gift of God). Matthew could no longer stay faithful to his past lifestyle, his name Alphaeus gave him, no doubt haunted him as he denied any perseverance or adhesiveness to the ‘fathers’ of Judaism, it now was no longer a priority, and now the new identity Jesus was offering gained Matthew’s attention. Matthew knew he was one of the most despised class of people in his community. His family named him Levi in the hope of his faith remaining stable and faithful to the “God of our fathers”, but when Jesus called him, he gave the past up. His immediate decision to follow Jesus should not confuse us.  If you were the lowest of the low in your society, and Jesus called you to follow him, you would admire the Lord’s insight and hope he saw in you and follow, if for no other reason than to see what He saw in yourself. Levi must have felt that God ‘in calling’ him, made him a gift. Something that is precious, but graciously given away. From now on, instead of Levi persistently taking taxes, he would spend his life giving. This is Good News! Matthew found the joy of sacrifice, have you? Heb. 12:2. This is the same conclusion Zacchaeus came to after finding Jesus, Luke 19:8. Dare we use money to make friends and attract them to the God of glory? Luke 16:8-10. This kind of living in giving, makes evangelism a process or lifestyle, not an event!

Matthew was educated, in order to be a government employee or customs officer ( Gk – ‘ho telones’, Matt 10:3) in Capernaum, in the territory of Herod Antipas, Matthew was not exactly a Roman official, but was in the service of the tetrarch of Galilee, or possibly a subordinate officer, belonging to the class called publicani, or officials who farmed the Roman taxes. As such he must have had some use of the native Aramaic and must have been acquainted with the Greek & Latin, therefore God had a prepared Jewish scribe in the making for the world! The result? The gospel of Matthew.  Jesus knew that his pen was being used for a despised cause, but could also be used for a glorious and eternal purpose. So Matthew’s gift to the world was his memoirs of the Master. What is it about your background, talent or personality that God can use? When God’s good news called you to follow Him, did you realize, He is also calling your resources too?  Matthew was not ashamed of his despised past. He knew many people hated him, it is recorded that Lev. 20:1-5 was interpreted against tax-collectors. He recorded in his own writing that he was a tax-collector, Mt. 10:3. This teaches us that we too, if we really want to share our faith, we must be willing to share with people publicly, that we are sinners!  Jesus saw in the worst character, the worth God could give him. He made Matthew into a respected leader!  How do you feel about pawn shop owners? What about loan sharks? What if you knew of a pawn shop owner which gave his profits to an oppressive foreign government in your hometown?