The Radical Call: Leaving the Old to Follow Jesus
You can’t hold on to the old ways and expect God to do a new thing. Matthew had witnessed the old ways. He was a man in the middle of two worlds and neither one really cared for him. Rome simply used him as a tool to gather taxes. He wasn’t really at home in their culture. And to his fellow Jews he was the worst kind of sinner: a sellout to Rome. It was a surprise to the religious leaders that Jesus would call fishermen to be his disciples, but it was shocking that he would call a publican.
So imagine what it was like when Matthew heard the call of Jesus to come and follow him! He was wanted by someone. He was chosen and had a purpose. And his response indicated that he was willing to walk away from everything to follow Jesus.
The reaction of the Pharisees was quick and harsh: “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” The order of words might suggest that the Pharisees saw Matthew as the worst kind of sinner. The response Jesus gave was clear: “Those who are well have no need of a physician… I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” In other words, Jesus was prioritizing compassion over keeping rules as their number one priority.
As chapter nine continues, the explanation from Jesus gets clearer. You can’t put new cloth on an old garment, and you can’t put new wine in old wine skins. Jesus was emphatic that his gospel wasn’t just an add-on to what the religious leaders were doing. Jesus came to offer abundant life which is very different than the unattainable way of rule keeping to be right with God.
As the chapter ends, Jesus went to the surrounding towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. He was bringing new hope, new teaching, and performing miracles of healing. This was in direct contrast to what the Jewish believers observed and heard from their religious leaders, who were more focused on rule keeping than showing compassion.
The more Jesus traveled around, the more crowds were forming. Matthew recorded this description of the crowds: they were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” And Jesus had compassion on them. Jesus turned to his disciples at that moment and gave them a prayer request that is still relevant today: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
As we continue our journey through Lent and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we must challenge ourselves about whether we are holding on to old and comfortable ways of faith or if God is calling us to experience new wine and new ways of discipleship. To follow Jesus wholeheartedly includes praying his prayers, showing compassion for those around us, as well as being the hands and feet of Jesus today.
Father, today we want to drink the living water that Jesus provides for us. We join Jesus in praying that you would provide workers for the harvest field so that everyone will have the chance to hear and to see who Jesus is and experience his forgiveness and his life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Matthew 9:9-17, 35-38 ESV
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