I was recently reading about the culture of Israel in the first century to understand what is was like for the 12 disciples who followed Jesus. In the first century a Jewish man who wanted to be a disciple of a rabbi (a teacher) was expected to leave family and job to join his rabbi. They would live together 24 hours a day—walking from place to place, teaching and learning, studying and working. They discussed and memorized the Scriptures and applied them to life.
The disciple’s calling, as described in early Jewish writings about basic ethics, was to “cover himself in the dust of [the rabbi’s] feet,” drinking in his every word. He followed his rabbi so closely that he would “walk in his dust.” In doing so, he became like the rabbi, his master.
When we read the four gospels, we see the twelve disciples of Jesus leaving their homes and their occupations to follow Jesus. For the next three years they would constantly be by his side. They would stay close to Him—listening to His teaching, watching His miracles, learning His principles, and walking in His dust.
One of my favorite disciples is Matthew. Out of the original 12 disciples, probably Matthew felt he was the most unqualified. No doubt Matthew (Levi) was a disappointment to his parents. They must have had much different plans for their son. To be given the name Levi meant your parents expected you to serve the Lord as the Levites did in the OT. To become a priest and a spiritual leader.
As he grew up he made his own decisions. Instead of serving the Lord, he decided to serve himself. He turned his back on his own people and became a tax collector for the Romans. Essentially his job description was to unfairly take money from his people and give it to the occupying Roman government.
In those days there was no such thing as an honest tax collector. They would cheat people and in doing so become rich. But, there was a price to pay. A tax collector was seen as a religious and social outcast. He was ceremonially unclean, he wasn’t even allowed to into the outer court of the tabernacle.
One day Matthew is at work and Jesus stops by and speaks to him. No one would have predicted what Jesus would say. It was only two words, but these two words changed everything for Matthew. Jesus said, “Follow me.” A Jewish rabbi asking a tax collector for the Romans oppressors to be one of his followers? It was unthinkable.
The other disciples would have been offended. A tax collector? He’s not only a sinner, he sins for a living. What’s happening here? It’s a picture of God’s grace. This is the person you didn’t think Jesus could save.
Matthew sits here in his tax collecting booth, thinking about Jesus’ offer. There is no doubt that Matthew knew what this invitation involved. He understood that it meant giving up everything. There was no way he would respond to it and stay the same.
Jesus says, “follow me.” Matthew got up and followed him. Jesus knew everything about Mathew and he still called him to follow.
"After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:27-28)
His response to Jesus was immediate and drastic. “Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” He makes a decisive break with his old life. For Matthew, following Jesus was a substantial financial sacrifice. He could never go back to his job. He made a clear decision.
Today’s Challenge: The call to follow was not just given to the 12 disciples, it is given to each of us. True believers are followers. We give up our old life to take on the new life of a disciple. It’s my prayer you will respond to this call today.
