Matthew was a tax collector, he left his job in response to Jesus calling him to become one of the twelve disciples. Matthew means "gift of God". After Jesus’ resurrection, Matthew preached in Ethiopia and that he was martyred there, killed by either an axe or a sword.
We too might be call by Jesus, how has Jesus called you?
Christ has power not only to heal and forgive sins, but to sanctify, to make the unholy holy. God is all about mercy.
"Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners." God wants to show mercy to all sinners and God wants healed sinners to show mercy.
Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He heard this and said,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Jesus eating at the table with tax collectors(sinners) is a very simple significant gesture that has very deep meaning for us,priests and laity alike.
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