Troy a servant of God and the Lord Jeus Christ.
Morning Devotional: Matthew:Accepting True Discipleship
Thomas, and Matthew the publican; Matt 10:3b (KJV)
*Prior to his salvation and service with Jesus, Matthew was a hated tax collector (Mat9:9). This job had a stigma most would want to bury, yet Matthew yet here still humbly refers to it. He also shows humility in his low-profile role in his own gospel. Mark 2:15 and Luke 5:29 tell us that Jesus' banquet with "many tax collectors and sinners" was in Matthew`s house. Matthews own gospel merely implies that he hosted the event (9:10). He was eager to introduce those he knew to Christ, but he wanted to down-play his personal role.
*Matthew`s humility perhaps stemmed from his great sense of unworthiness in the face of God`s superabundant saving grace. He was the silent apostle until the Holy spirit prompted him to write the opening book of the New Testament-twenty eight chapters on the minisrty of Jesus Christ.
*It`s likely that Matthew sensed the sinfulness of his former life as none of the other disciples did. He had been willingly involved in extortion, deception, graft, and no doubt various forms of immorality. However, like the woman caught in adultery (Luke 7:36-50), the Lord forgave Matthew much and thus he loved Him much (Luke 7:42-43). He proved his love by his desire to tell his friends and others through the centuries(by his gospel) the good news of Jesus' salvation.
*ASK YOUSELF: How wonderful that the past sins designed by our enemy to cause us shame have been transformed by Christ into instruments of grace and gratitude-living examples of what He can forgive on His way to reclaiming lost souls. Is Satan still trying to keep old sins hung around your neck?
Amen
Troy
Morning Devotional: Matthew:Accepting True Discipleship
Thomas, and Matthew the publican; Matt 10:3b (KJV)
*Prior to his salvation and service with Jesus, Matthew was a hated tax collector (Mat9:9). This job had a stigma most would want to bury, yet Matthew yet here still humbly refers to it. He also shows humility in his low-profile role in his own gospel. Mark 2:15 and Luke 5:29 tell us that Jesus' banquet with "many tax collectors and sinners" was in Matthew`s house. Matthews own gospel merely implies that he hosted the event (9:10). He was eager to introduce those he knew to Christ, but he wanted to down-play his personal role.
*Matthew`s humility perhaps stemmed from his great sense of unworthiness in the face of God`s superabundant saving grace. He was the silent apostle until the Holy spirit prompted him to write the opening book of the New Testament-twenty eight chapters on the minisrty of Jesus Christ.
*It`s likely that Matthew sensed the sinfulness of his former life as none of the other disciples did. He had been willingly involved in extortion, deception, graft, and no doubt various forms of immorality. However, like the woman caught in adultery (Luke 7:36-50), the Lord forgave Matthew much and thus he loved Him much (Luke 7:42-43). He proved his love by his desire to tell his friends and others through the centuries(by his gospel) the good news of Jesus' salvation.
*ASK YOUSELF: How wonderful that the past sins designed by our enemy to cause us shame have been transformed by Christ into instruments of grace and gratitude-living examples of what He can forgive on His way to reclaiming lost souls. Is Satan still trying to keep old sins hung around your neck?
Amen
Troy
