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Short Subjects Matthew the Publican “Matthew, elsewhere styled Levi, was called to be one of the twelve apostles. He was a publican—that is to say, a collector of taxes for the Roman government. Publicans were despised for two reasons:— (1) It was considered very disreputable to assist a foreign government to collect taxes from one’s friends—kin. (2) Many of these publicans were rascally and took advantage of their position to make themselves wealthy through bribes, over-collections, etc. We may be sure that Matthew-Levi was not of the dishonest type, else he never would have been called to association with Messiah as one of his apostles and prospective joint-heirs with him in his kingdom. For such position the highest degree of honesty is requisite. And if Jesus would never call a dishonest man, neither would a dishonest man have accepted his call, because there was nothing to be gained—neither reputation, wages nor fraud.”—Reprints, p. 4587. It is worthy of note that Matthew tells us of himself that he was a publican (Matthew 10:3), while none of the other evangelists make this comment, doubtless because the occupation of a publican was considered a very dishonorable one—unpatriotic. [He] was known by the name of Levi, while he was the publican (Luke 5:27), but his name was changed when he changed his occupation and became a member of the Lord’s company. His new name, Matthew, signified “the gift of God,” just as Simon, the son of Jonas, had a new name given to him, namely, Peter, “a rock.” But how great a change the gospel of the kingdom produced upon Matthew, to lead him to forsake all—the profitable income of his occupation, leaving it to others—and to become a follower of the despised Nazarene! The influence of the fact that our Lord would accept a publican to be his disciple, was far-reaching, and no doubt inspired an interest in our Lord amongst the degraded and outcast classes. We are not surprised, therefore, when we are told shortly afterward, that many publicans and sinners resorted to our Lord, and gave ear to his teachings. Nor did he treat them after the manner of the scribes and Pharisees, but on the contrary received them as the children of Abraham—as some of the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” —Reprints, p. 2260. How Men Followed Jesus When Jesus had finished these words, having spoken them in Galilee about Capernaum, “He departed thence, and came into the borders of Judaea” which were different from Galilee (see Matthew 19:1,2). He came to the borders of Judaea, not to the middle of it, but, as it were, to the outermost parts where great multitudes followed him, whom he healed at “the borders of Judaea beyond Jordan,” where baptism had been given. Observe the difference between the crowds who simply followed, and Peter and the others who gave up everything and followed. Matthew arose and followed him (Matthew 9:9); he did not simply follow. “He arose” is an important addition. There are always those who follow like the great multitudes who have not arisen that they may follow, nor have they given up all that was theirs formerly. Few are they who have arisen and followed, who also, in the regeneration, shall sit on twelve thrones. Only if one wishes to be healed, let him follow Jesus. —Origen (on Matthew’s call) And Finally We Three Kings of Orient Are
Words & Music by John H. Hopkins, Jr. |