Matthew

[Chad]

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (*Matthew‬ 9‬:9-13‬)

Matthew was a tax collector, a corrupt position no self-respecting Jew would take. So when Jesus went to a party with Matthew and his friends, it caused quite a commotion. Religious people couldn’t understand why someone like Jesus would want to hang out with sinners like Matthew and his co-workers. Jesus answered saying, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick...For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:12–13).

Those who are physically sick need a doctor. Those who are spiritually sick need a savior. When Jesus invited Matthew to follow Him, Matthew got up, left everything and followed Him. Matthew recognized his sickness of sin and his need for Jesus.

Matthew’s willingness to drop everything without looking back is a beautiful picture of obedience. Matthew is also proof that Jesus can use anyone, no matter his or her past. We were all born with a sickness called sin and only Jesus can make us healthy. Are you willing to drop everything and follow Him?

1) Are there any areas of your life you need to submit to Jesus?

2) Is anything keeping you from leaving your old life behind to follow Jesus? What and why?

3) When was the last time you brought someone to church or started a friendship with someone far from God?

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App