Luke Chapter 5: Verses 27-29 (NIV-UK)
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. ‘Follow me,’ Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.
Matthew Chapter 19: Verses 20-22 (NIV-UK)
All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’
Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Tax collectors like Levi, who we know as Matthew, were unpopular amongst their own people because they were collecting taxes for the Romans. We read in the bible that many were also inflating taxes and syphoning off a portion for themselves so they were often materially much wealthier. Perhaps they had decided that if they had to put up with occupation, they may as well get something out of it. Because they were ostracised by ordinary Israelites they tended to socialise with other tax collectors.
Jesus must have surprised His disciples and other followers by calling Matthew. But Jesus’ knew Matthew’s heart and he responded immediately, as the other disciples had done.
We get an idea of Matthew’s wealth and material status when we read that he held a banquet for Jesus that could feed a large crowd of people. He could afford the catering and accommodate a large gathering in his home. Yet he gave it all up to travel the countryside with Jesus.
He had all the trappings that many would have liked but recognised there was more to life than material things. He knew which was most important, and was prepared to change his lifestyle to gain life that would last. In contrast, in his own gospel, Matthew tells us of a wealthy young Israelite who could not take the step that Matthew himself had done. For him the cost was too great.
This gives us an idea of what a big step Matthew had taken. He felt it was worth it. He does not point the finger or condemn the rich young man in the way he records the episode. He must have understood the man’s position and yet knew he had no regrets. Perhaps when he saw the young man turn sadly away, he may have thought, “there but by the grace of God go I.”
Anyone who makes the decision to follow Jesus will have to give up elements of their old life that they may have enjoyed in the past. It might not be wealth, but it could be aspirations, status or even relationship. We, like the Apostle Paul must consider them as nothing. We gain far more than we give up. Matthew found that too. But we may also come across others who are in similar positions as we used to be who find they cannot yet take that step. We must show them the compassion that Matthew showed the rich young ruler, and pray that at some time in the future they too will find the courage and strength to take that step.
Dear Lord,
I am grateful to have been able to respond to that call, “follow Me.” I pray for those I know and love who have not yet felt able to take that step. May they be able to do so in the future by Your grace. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.