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We thank Jesus who said to a paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” May these words be life-giving words in our lives. In today’s passage Jesus calls a man named Matthew, the author of this gospel. We cannot fully know how much the gospel of Matthew influenced the people of the world throughout history. Off the top of our heads, we can count Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. who were greatly influenced through this gospel. It all began because Jesus called Matthew. So surely Jesus calling Matthew was an historical event. May God inspire us through this meaningful calling. Look at verse 9a. “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth…” First of all, the calling of Matthew was Jesus’ initiative. Jesus went on and saw him first, while he was sitting. The calling started from Jesus and so from above. This calling was divine and by grace. It was the same with Abraham. One day the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household…” (Ro 12:1). As for St. Paul, while he was on the way to Damascus to capture Christians there, Jesus met him, saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Ac 9:4). So Paul said in Romans 12:1, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.” Jesus said to his disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (Jn 15:16). Therefore, his calling is irrevocable (impossible to revoke, undo, or change). Jesus’ calling of each of us also rests on him, not on us, our worthiness or any other human qualifications. That’s why his calling is certain and sure and unfailing. Look at verse 9a again. “…he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth.” The way Jesus saw him was not the same as how other passers-by saw him. Jesus’ seeing was a careful observation and his insight to see the whole person, in the past and present and in the future as well. Jesus saw what kind of life he lived as a tax-collector (Mt 10:3). Using the tax law and his position as tax-collecting, he oppressed his poor suffering people and collected money more than required and enriched his pocket. The richer he became, the more his own country people suffered. As a result he was hated by his own people and branded as a traitor. He was a public sinner. Nobody liked him and wanted to be associated with him. His past was terrible against his wishes. Now he was sitting at the tax-collector’s booth, doing his job. Jesus saw this. But Jesus also saw that he was not happy in doing his job. He was tired of his job and life. As much as he made his people suffer, so now he was suffering himself inwardly out of guilty conscience and regret. In fact he was crying in hopelessness. He was also crying for a new life, not knowing where to start. Jesus saw this, too. Jesus also saw that he had his potential to be a great man of God, for the image of God was still lingering in him. So in hope Jesus could see his future, for God created him for a purpose. Jesus could see the future Matthew (meaning “the teacher of mankind”) in God. Probably this can be the reason Matthew wrote, “he saw a man named Matthew,” while Mark wrote, “he saw Levi son of Alphaeus” and Luke, “Jesus…saw a tax collector by the name of Levi…” (Mk 2:14; Lk 5:27). Here we learn that Jesus’ eyes are wholesome and full of hope. Usually, human eyes see only the present. In most cases the eyes are partial and incorrect. People despise others from the beginning, just seeing outward appearance. Or people praise others at first and then are disappointed at their weaknesses and shortcomings, saying, “I did not know you were such a kind of person.” But Jesus’ eyes are different. His eyes are wholesome eyes and the eyes of hope, and they are correct. Praise Jesus for his eyes to see. Then what did Jesus do after seeing Matthew, sitting at the tax-collector’s booth. Look at verse 9b. “’Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” “Follow me” this phrase seems to be one of the most common phrases in the Bible, yet one of the most important. “Follow me” is the calling voice of Jesus. It is different from his saying, “Get up and take your mat and go home.” So far Matthew followed money in the pursuit of happiness in the world. In truth he followed himself and his selfish desire according to the trend of the world. In doing so he turned out greatly disappointed at himself and wrong. Now Jesus helped him to change his object of following from self “me” to Jesus “me”. Whom we follow makes our lives totally different. (don’t say “By the way” in messages)who in the world could truly say, “Follow me”? Once, many people wanted to follow Confucius after hearing his great teaching. But he told them not to follow him, for he was greatly burdened by them, not knowing what to do with so many followers. If Confucius, who was an honest and great teacher, could not handle the responsibility of followers, who among human beings can truly say, “Follow me”? Only those who can be sure of themselves can say that. However, strictly speaking, no human being knows where they came from and where they are going. All are ignorant of before their birth and after their death. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow in their lives. But Jesus knew completely where he came from and where he was going. He knew what would happen tomorrow in his life, how he would die and that he would rise again on the third day. Things happened exactly as he predicted. He also knew what would happen in history and how it would end. It will be through his coming again, which is lightning visible to all (Mt 24:27). So we can say that Jesus was the only one who could truly say, “Follow me” and he did say to Matthew, “Follow me.” Then what does “Follow me” mean? It is the invitation to his discipleship. Till now, Matthew had not found a true model and example for his life. No one showed him a right path of life. Now Jesus invited Matthew to the school of himself so that Matthew would know the person Jesus and learn of him. Matthew would be taught by Jesus . But also Matthew would live together with Jesus and other disciples. This was an invitation to common life. We can imagine how difficult it was for Matthew who used to live alone to live with others. He would be frustrated at his selfishness time and again. He would hurt others and be hurt being criticized. In all events and with the people around him he had not to lose his sight of Jesus to follow him. Most importantly, when Jesus said, “Follow me,” Jesus would be willing to bear with all his weaknesses, and strengthen and encourage him at each difficult time. What was Matthew’s response at this calling? Matthew got up and followed him. He made a right and wise choice in his life. It was the beginning of St. Matthew. It is important to note that Matthew came to know Jesus and learned of him through his obedience. In chapter 21, Matthew wrote an interesting story. There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first son and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” The son answered, “I will not,” but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go. In this story Jesus referred the first son to tax-collectors and prostitutes, and the second son, to Pharisees. Matthew was one of those who obeyed Jesus. Undoubtedly obeying Jesus includes putting his teaching into practice. That’s why Matthew wrote Jesus’ words that Jesus had said after the Sermon on the Mount, “...everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock….but everyone who…does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” Obedience was so important to Matthew that he wrote Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:20, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” To Matthew discipleship and obedience were inseparable. Through Jesus’ words and life together with him, Matthew came to know Jesus so much that he wrote write the gospel of Matthew. To him, Jesus is the Son of God, holy and sinless. His origin was different. He was not a descendant of Adam. Matthew made it very clear in the first chapter of his gospel. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And at the time of his baptism, a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Jesus was also fully human. He liked to call himself the Son of Man. He was familiar with all human sufferings. As Matthew wrote, “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.” He healed all the sick who came to him out of compassion. In Matthew’s gospel he depicted Jesus as King. We understand this more and more. Matthew began his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, which was king’s genealogy. Humanly, he was a descendant of King David. According to Matthew, Jesus was King over all with true authority. At his command any sickness left. He even rebuked winds and waves and commanded even demons. His authority was even over death (Mt 9:25). He himself would conquer death and rise again. After his resurrection He said to his disciples, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me…” He will come again and all nations will be gathered before him to be judged. He is indeed God’s anointed King. Yet, he was a gentle Saviour King. He said in Matthew 11:28, 29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…” A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. So he could say to a paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” In summary, according to Matthew, Jesus is God with us. In John’s gospel Jesus is God Incarnate, “The Word became flesh.” But Matthew expressed Jesus as God with us, Immanuel. So he recorded Jesus’ promise in Matthew 18:20, “…where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” and at the end his gospel, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Mt 28:20b). Ultimately, “Follow me” is the invitation to his house, the kingdom of God. When Jesus said, “Follow me”, he would certainly be responsible for his future and eternal destiny. We thank God for the wonderful calling of Jesus, “Follow me” for Matthew and each of us. We could understand better the meaning of Jesus’ calling, “Follow me” as we thought of who the caller is in this study. He is God with us. This calling is the calling of grace and life that is true and eternal. This is the calling of God’s love and hope. This is the greatest calling in this world. May we enter the school of Jesus by accepting his calling and go deep into this school through personal obedience to his words and life together with him. Look at verse 10. “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ came and ate with him and his disciples.” It showed Matthew’s true turning and changed life. Some people say that, “Unless you are able to share your food, you are selfish.” Before, Matthew ate all by himself. He never shared his food with others, letting alone invite people to his house. Now, the situation was totally different. He invited not just one or two, but so many, including Jesus and his disciples and many tax-collectors and sinners. He bought expensive organic food, though it cost much more. He invited his old friends as well as new friends. His old friends were happy with Jesus, who accepted them when they came to him with a repentant heart. They also found a new life in Jesus. They were happy and joyful eating together, munching and crunching. There is no human segregation in Jesus. It was none other than a picture of the kingdom of God (Rev 19:9). Despite this graceful situation, there were some people who were so unhappy and grumpy. Look at verse 11. “When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why do your teachers eat with tax collectors and “sinners”?’” They could not understand why Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. It was because they were self-righteous and unrepentant. They were known for the role that table fellowship played in defining their group identities. How did Jesus help them? Look at verses 12. “On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” This is an obvious, self-evident truth. In the physical world, there are healthy people and sick people. Those who are healthy do not need a doctor. It is a waste of time for them to go to see a doctor. Some people try to hide their sickness in fear of being misjudged. But in the spiritual world all are sick. And like in this world, there are two kinds of sick people: those who know that they are sick and those who do not know they are sick. Only those who know their sickness of sin can come to Jesus, who is the only one who can cure the sickness of sin. The Pharisees did not know that they were sick. Then Jesus said further, “But go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” The Pharisees thought that they sacrificed a lot for God and were self-righteous. But what God wanted from them was to know the mercy of God that he sent his Son Jesus to heal sin-sick souls. Matthew was a most unlikely person to be a disciple of Jesus in the minds of Jewish people. By his great mercy, Jesus called him as his disciples. Jesus concluded by saying, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.” In light of Jesus’ words to the Pharisees, we understand better Jesus’ calling Matthew, saying, “Follow me.” Jesus called him, because he was crying in the pain of his sin. He was also crying for a new life. Jesus called him to heal him, showing God’s mercy to him, and raise him up as his disciple and coworker who can also call other sinners. Praise Jesus who called Matthew with his words, “Follow me.” This calling be in each of us and guide us.

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