Answering the Call

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. -Matthew 9:9

Something amazing had happened in Matthew’s life. He had stood at the edge of a precipice of opportunity that would come only once, and he did what few have had the courage to do: he jumped. He somehow recognized that here was a chance to walk alongside the hope of the ages, the one on whom the salvation of all people would rest. Having taken this plunge, Matthew’s life was forever changed. As Frost wrote, he had chosen the road less traveled and it made all the difference.

We are given no details as to what transpired between the time Matthew first accepted Jesus’ invitation and the celebration banquet that took place in Matthew’s home. It must have been something powerful, because the scripture says that Matthew decided to throw a party with Jesus as the guest of honor. We have every reason to believe that Jesus did not for a moment hesitate to attend the event. Matthew, the disciple and former tax collector, threw a bash unlike anything his town had witnessed in a very long time. All of Matthew’s pals were there, along with a number of people the Bible identifies as “tax collectors and sinners.” The former were Roman capitalists who collected revenues from a province or district while hoarding what they could from the taxpayers. Matthew’s peer group was composed of such swindlers, and was hated by the general public.

The religious leaders, who refused to attend, regrettably missed out on a great party. They remind me of people who think that they are right with God because they go to church and take part in religious observances. On the outside they may look spiritual, but on the inside they possess hearts in need of regeneration. They have no clue what it means to be joyful in the Lord, for they are way too busy looking down their noses at people. Such persons are hypercritical of those around them; they ignore the strengths of others, while exaggerating their weaknesses. They take themselves entirely too seriously.

How fortunate for Matthew and his friends that they had the privilege of attending a party at which Jesus Christ was present. No doubt it taught them that there is someone who can lift them above what can often be a mundane and day-to-day existence. With Jesus Christ in our lives, each day can be a celebration of life, a rising above mediocrity. Why not begin today trusting Jesus and living the abundant life that He offers? Following Him will make all the difference. (From, "The Invitation: Embracing a Happier Life," by Dan Birchfield, Copyright, 2009.)