This post is slightly different than others, as I quote some others online. They just stated my thoughts so well.
“After Malachi had ceased his prophesying and the canon of the Old Testament closed — that is, the number of the books in the Old Testament was fulfilled and the inspired prophets ceased to speak — God allowed a period of time for the teachings of the Old Testament to penetrate throughout the world. During this time, he rearranged the scenes of history, much as a stage crew will rearrange the stage sets after the curtain has fallen, and when the curtain rises again there is an entirely new setting.” – Ray Stedman
Thus we have the setting of Matthew, Mark and Luke’s account of the call of Matthew.
“Pagan empires around had been deteriorating and disintegrating. Their religions had fallen upon evil days. The people were sick of the polytheism and emptiness of their pagan faiths. The Jews had gone through times of pressure and had failed in their efforts to re-establish themselves, and had given up all hope. There was a growing air of expectancy that the only hope they had left was the coming at last of the promised Messiah. In the East, the oriental empires had come to the place where the wisdom and knowledge of the past had disintegrated and they too were looking for something. When the moment came when the star arose over Bethlehem, the wise men of the East who were looking for an answer to their problems saw it immediately and came out to seek the One it pointed to.” – Ray Stedman
Matthew 9:9-13
Mark 2:13-17
Luke 5:27-32 ESV
27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
The word “righteous” here not only refers to those who truly are righteous, those who follow God’s laws. But, it also refers to those who think they are righteous; perhaps following God’s written law, but missing the heart of the law. Basically, what we see in the Pharisees here.
The word “sinner” here, truly does apply to those who just plain sin, that do wrong, but also it means those who are not free from sin.
I believe these are the meanings of what Jesus was trying to say here. It’s not those who think they are righteous (or we might recognize today as “religious”) that Jesus is still searching for today. But, it is sinners, those who are desperate for change, but simply are not free from sin. Those are whom Jesus is still seeking for today.
Looking at the finer details of Matthew’s story:
1. He was just sitting at work, doing his job, same as every other day.
2. He heard Jesus’ voice and IMMEDIATELY followed Jesus.
3. It says that he left EVERYTHING – not just his job that day, but his whole prior image, reputation, source of income, worldly security.
4. Matthew made a great feast at his house for Jesus and invited all that would come and hear.
5. Matthew’s personal anticipation of the coming Messiah drove all his actions that day and on.
Matthew 19:16-23
Luke 18:18-27
Mark 10:17-25
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Now let’s look at the finer details of the “rich ruler.”
1. He ran (sought out) and kneeled before Jesus. – outward actions looked right.
2. He recognized Jesus as “good” – came to him with just the right words.
3. He made a claim to self-righteous – had kept “all” the commandments since youth.
4. Jesus went right past his “righteous” actions, appearances, and words. He cut right to the heart of the issue; addressed the ruler’s condition of his heart; knew what he valued most in life.
5. This ruler went away from Jesus, sorrowful; unlike Matthew’s response that quickly and without regret followed Jesus.
We live in the same kind of generation as what Jesus encountered 2000+ years ago. The world is in chaos, people are looking for answers everywhere (from government to military to religions to humanism to science to drugs and alcohol).
And still… there are people, worldwide, that are looking for Jesus. They might not even recognize that that’s what they are looking for, but it is. And sadly still, there are people, worldwide, that think they are looking for Jesus, but when they come in contact with the true heart of the matter, they’re really not ready for Jesus.
We’re to be Jesus to this world. It’s so important to stay in tune with the Holy Ghost so that we encounter “Matthew”s we’ll be ready to teach and to guide. And when we encounter other “rich rulers” we’ll know the correct answer to give, shake the dust off our feet and turn our focus to the “Matthew”s.
“Matthew’s account of his own story shows us that the morally and socially reprobate sometimes humble themselves more readily than religious people. Having often witnessed the fruit of sensitive personal evangelism on the streets, I fear that sometimes we spend too much time trying to convert a few resistant sinners in the church while neglecting more sinners afraid to set foot in a church. Sometimes the latter have developed less resistance to the gospel; sometimes they are outside the church precisely because of the words or behavior of some within the church.” – www.biblegateway.com
“Just as the world had come to a place of hopelessness then, and the One who would fulfill all their hopes came into their midst, so the world again is facing a time when despair is spreading widely across the earth. Hopelessness is rampant everywhere and in this time God is moving to bring to fulfillment all the prophetic words concerning His coming again.”
– Ray Stedman