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.
–Matthew 9:9
The story of Jesus calling Matthew to be a disciple is an amazing one! Of all who followed Jesus, Matthew was probably considered least likely to become a disciple, much less the leader of the church or a writer of the New Testament.
In spite of growing up in the Jewish traditions, somewhere along the way Matthew got lost. And he ended up a notorious sinner and a complete outcast.
No doubt Matthew knew who Jesus was. You couldn’t help but know who Jesus was if you lived in this particular region! Matthew might have stood on the edge of the crowd and watched with amazement as Jesus healed the sick and transformed lives. He may have wondered, “Could this be the Messiah? And yet, Matthew also probably thought, “It’s too late for me. God can’t use me.”
But on that day, Jesus went directly to Matthew and spoke two life-changing words: “Follow me.”
And just like that, instantaneously and without any debate or consideration, Matthew was irresistibly drawn to Christ and he left his old life behind! It was the defining moment of his life.
Would you like to have a new life in Christ like Matthew? Jesus is offering you one today. Jesus is saying, “Follow me!”
A NEW LIFE IS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU FOLLOW CHRIST.
