TWELVE COMMON MENTWELVE COMMON MEN

Matthew

The Transformed Apostle

INTRODUCTION • The Apostles were common people

– All (except Judas Iscariot) from rural Galilee– God’s plans often centered on the humble

• Ps 8:2; Isa 26:4-6; Zep 3:12• Jesus had no use for religious elitism

– No one came under more fire from Him than the Pharisees, scribes and Sadducees• Miracles had little or no spiritual effect on them• They saw Him as an interloper and intruder• They sought His death almost from the outset• They could not tolerate being called sinners

• Jesus chose Apostles who were willing to admit their sins and set about to change

Matthew – The Transformed Apostle

MATTHEW - THE TAX COLLECTOR • What we know about Matthew from the

scriptures:• Matthew the apostle mentioned in the apostle

lists: Mt 10:3; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:15; Acts 1:13• The name is a Greek reproduction of the

Aramaic Mattathyah, i.e. "gift of Yahweh" – According to Mk 2:14, his name was Levi

• A Hebrew name– Perhaps he used different names due to his

occupation, depending on with whom he dealt

Matthew – The Transformed Apostle

MATTHEW - THE TAX COLLECTOR • He was a customs officer (Mt. 10:3) in

Capernaum, in the territory of Herod Antipas– Tax collecting was a paid for office

• The Roman government auctioned off the right to collect taxes in each province

• The winning bidder could then subdivide the province and sell or auction the right to collect taxes in each subdivision

– And those individuals could again subdivide, etc

– Tax rates were set, but collectors charged whatever amount they wanted • If rates were outrageous, merchants would

change their routes to avoid highest taxes

Matthew – The Transformed Apostle

• Most likely more wealthy than the “middle-class”

• Must have been somewhat educated– Probably speaking Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek

• But would have been despised by Jews– Even if honest, he would still have been

considered a traitor or collaborator

Matthew – The Transformed Apostle

MATTHEW - THE TAX COLLECTOR

MATTHEW - THE TAX COLLECTOR • Time of his call:

– He would have been present at the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist (Acts 1:21-22)• Perhaps among the tax collectors who had

sought John out (Lk 3:12-13)– Called after Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip

and Nathanael (Lk 5:27-28)• The author of the Gospel of Matthew• Tradition states that he preached for 15 years

in Palestine and then he went to foreign nations– Tradition says he was stabbed to death in

Ethiopia

Matthew – The Transformed Apostle

His Call • Luke 5:27-32

– Tax collectors were often dishonest• Used strong-arm tactics to extort tolls from the Jews• Most were scoundrels according to extra-biblical

accounts• Not the kind of person you would think would be useful

in Christ’s service– Called while sitting in his booth collecting taxes

• Immediately left all, his money, his job, his investment• People passing through would no longer be charged• He “burned his bridges”

– Matthew had a great feast for Jesus with many tax collectors gathered

• Only other tax collectors (and perhaps other occupations working closely with the Romans) would eat with tax collectors

Matthew – The Transformed Apostle

THE TAX COLLECTORS • The Three Individual Tax Collectors of the NT

– Zaccheus: Lk 19:1-10– The publican of the parable: Lk 18:10-14– Matthew

• Tax collectors gathered around Jesus (Lk 15:1)– Why did Jesus’ appeal to the tax collectors?

• Mt 21:23-32• Lk 3:7-13 • Lk 5:31-32

– They understood and acknowledged their sinfulness• They were willing to repent• They were willing to change

– They just needed someone to show them the way

Matthew – The Transformed Apostle

Answering the Call• Why would Matthew answer the call so suddenly?

– He was obviously spiritually hungry– His Gospel makes it clear that he was a true student of

the OT• No other gospel quotes as often from OT

– He believed in the one true God– He understood the promise of the Messiah

• He knew about Jesus– Had seen His baptism with the attendant signs– Had probably heard some of His teachings – Gladly and unhesitatingly followed

• Took Jesus to eat at his house• Immediately invited friends to hear Him also

Matthew – The Transformed Apostle

Transformed• Some themes that runs through his Gospel

after his call in chapter 9 are forgiveness, acceptance and rest– Mt 11:25-30; 12:15-21; 18:21-35– Matthew knew he was a sinner

• Probably guilty of graft, extortion, oppression and abuse – directly or indirectly

• He obviously sensed that in answering the call of Jesus forgiveness of these sins would become available– He walked away from a lucrative career and

followed Jesus to the end without giving it a second thought

– And invited those in like condition to join him

Matthew – The Transformed Apostle

Conclusion• Matthew is yet another kind of ordinary man

– Better educated, wealthier• A steady, high-paying job

• But one that has caused some spiritual guilt

– He had a spiritual hunger and thirst• But was not accepted by the “religious”

– Readily accepted the call of Jesus• Understood forgiveness was available

• Understood repentance required walking away from the source of sin

• Are you as eager to find forgiveness?