As we read the Bible, it seems that one of God’s attributes, along with being immutable and impeccable, is that he is unpredictable… and never more so than in his choice of the man to write the first book of the New Testament.
Of the twelve apostles, none was a more notorious sinner than Matthew (Levi). Publicans (tax collectors) are classified with harlots (21:31) and heathen (18:17) by Matthew himself. Yet, Jesus saw Levi sitting at the receipt of custom, performing his notorious job, and called him then and there to his service!
And see with what simple, deep faith Matthew responds: he left all. That says it all, doesn’t it? Here was a man who forsook a lucrative position for a lowly person named Jesus. He not only left behind his livelihood, but his former lifestyle as well, for Jesus.
He left everything connected with his sinful past and followed him. Jesus says, in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” What a clear exhibition of this truth we see in the life of faithful Matthew!
This man went from sitting at the seat of custom to sitting at a feast (at his own expense) in honor of Jesus (Luke 5:29); from grasping at everything to leaving it all; from self-promoter to self-effacing; from publican of Herod to publisher of the gospel. In Matthew we see the life-transforming power of faith in Jesus Christ. True faith leaves all in order to follow the Savior. Have you heard Jesus’ call? Will you follow?