The Call of Matthew

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Mark 2:14-15

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me…

The story is placed immediately after a miracle, as if to hint that Matthew's conversion was a miracle. There are points of similarity between the miracle and the conversion. Matthew was spiritually palsied by his sins and his money making; hence he needed the Divine command, "Arise and walk." There may be points of likeness also between Matthew's personal story and our own. These may be profitably considered.

I. HIS CALL SEEMED ACCIDENTAL AND UNLIKELY.

1. Jesus had often been at Capernaum, which He had selected to be "His own city;" and yet Matthew remained unsaved. Was it likely he would now be called? Had not his day of grace closed?

2. Jesus was about other business; for we read, "As He passed by." Would He now be likely to call Matthew?

3. Jesus left many other persons uncalled; was it not highly probable that the tax gatherer would be passed by? Yet Jesus called to Himself, "Levi, the son of Alphaeus," while many another man had no such special call.

II. HIS CALL WAS ALTOGETHER UNTHOUGHT OF AND UNSOUGHT.

1. He was in a degrading business. None but the lowest of the Jews would care to gather taxes for the Roman conqueror. His discipleship would bring no honour to Christ.

2. He was in an ensnaring business. Money is bird lime to the soul.

3. He would not have dared to follow Jesus even if he had wished to do so. He felt himself to be too unworthy.

4. He would have been repulsed by the other disciples, had he proposed to come without the Lord's open invitation.

5. He made no sign in the direction of Jesus. No prayer was offered by him, nor wish expressed towards better things.

III. HIS CALL WAS GIVEN BY THE LORD, WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF HIM. "He saw Levi," and called him.

1. He saw all the evil that had been in him and was yet there.

2. He saw his adaptation for holy service, as a recorder and penman.

3. He saw all that He meant to make of him.

4. He saw in him His chosen, His redeemed, His convert, His disciple, His apostle, His biographer. The Lord calls as He pleases, but He sees what He is doing. Sovereignty is not blind; but acts with boundless wisdom.

IV. HIS CALL WAS GRACIOUSLY CONDESCENDING.

1. The Lord called "Levi, the son of Alphaeus," or, as he himself says, "a man named Matthew," — that was his best.

2. He was a publican — that may not have been his worst.

3. He allowed such a sinner to be His personal attendant; yea, called him to that honour, saying, "Follow Me.

4. He allowed him to do this immediately, without putting him into quarantine.

V. HIS CALL WAS SUBLIMELY SIMPLE.

1. Few were the words — Follow Me." It is very tersely recorded — "He saw...said...and he arose and followed Him."

2. Clear was the direction.

3. Personal was the address.

4. Royal was the command.

VI. HIS CALL WAS IMMEDIATELY EFFECTUAL.

1. Matthew followed at once.

2. He followed spiritually as well as literally.

3. He followed wholly.

4. He followed growingly.

5. He followed ever after, never deserted his Leader.

VII. HIS CALL WAS A DOOR OF HOPE FOR OTHERS.

1. His salvation encouraged other publicans to come to Jesus.

2. His open house gave opportunity to his friends to hear Jesus.

3. His personal ministry brought others to the Saviour.

4. His written Gospel has convinced many, and will always do so.Application: Are you up to your neck in business? Are you "sitting at the receipt of custom"? Yet may a call come to you at once. It does come. Hear it attentively; rise earnestly; respond immediately.

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