“Afterward, Jesus went out and looked for a man named Matthew. He found him sitting at his tax booth, for he was a tax collector. Jesus said to him, ‘Be my disciple and follow me.’ That very moment, Matthew got up, left everything behind, and followed him.”
Luke 5:27-28 NLT
Luke 5 tells us the encounter of Jesus and Matthew. Matthew was a Jew who believed in the coming Messiah, but he was also a tax collector. This occupation was not favorable among his people, especially the religious leaders. Tax collectors were considered sinners because it was known of them to over collect and pocket extra money. They were looked at as traitors to their own people, working on the side of their oppressor Rome. So, Matthew was the least of all people to be considered a follower or disciple. But one day, Jesus decides to go to Matthew at his place of work, look directly at him and say, “Follow Me.” Unlike others around them, Jesus didn't shame Matthew for where he was at, He just called him to where he needed to be.
When our way of living seems far from the approval of God, the enemy would like for us to believe that we’re just too unclean, damaged, or worthless to turn it all around. He intimidates us back into hiding from God when what we really need is to run to His unconditional love. This encounter is proof of that, because Jesus intently went looking for Matthew despite other’s view of him. He chose him although he wasn’t perfect. He had a plan for him, although his life wasn’t pure and righteous at the time. And the only thing He asked of Matthew was to leave it all behind and follow Him.
I can only imagine what Matthew’s initial thoughts were when he heard those words:
Follow Him? Does He know who I am? What I’ve done?
But there was something about Jesus fully seeing Matthew and still calling on him that caused him to move. The Word says he was quick to get up and follow Jesus, which can lead one to believe he wasn’t fulfilled with his life as a tax collector. Maybe he was tired of his job, of being talked about and frowned upon. Maybe the luxurious lifestyle he acquired from his work didn’t make him as happy as he thought. Or maybe, deep down he knew what he was doing just wasn’t right. He wanted to change, but didn’t have the courage to take that first step…until Jesus showed up. Just being seen by Jesus gave him all the confidence he needed to get up and walk away from the life he once knew. That is exactly why Jesus comes for us, to give us the desire, strength, and willpower to do the things we can’t do on our own.
Jesus desires us badly, and He is patiently waiting for us to realize we need Him. He’s not looking for any of us to prove our righteousness to Him. He is just looking for us to accept His invitation into our hearts and lives so He can show us that He is the answer to finding our way back.
Imagine Him coming to you and giving you these simple instructions: Follow Me. Matter of fact…He already has. The invitation He gave to Matthew was an invitation to all who believe in Him, no matter where we are in our lives. It’s time to drop everything, get up, and follow Him. It’s time to let go of our comfortability, security, and familiarity of staying where we are and trust the One who looks pass our flaws, calls us His own, and leads us into more.
He wants you. How badly do you want Him back?
