The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 21 September 2020 – TOPIC: THE CALL OF MATTHEW
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TOPIC: THE CALL OF MATTHEW
READ: MATTHEW 9:9-13 (NKJV)9. As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.10. Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, [that] behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.11. And when the Pharisees saw [it,] they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”12. When Jesus heard [that,] He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.13. “But go and learn what [this] means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”*THE MESSAGE:*Today is the commemoration of St. Matthew the Apostle. He is also called Levi in the Gospel of St. Mark and St. Luke. The name ‘Matthew’ means the Gift of God. Ministers are God’s gifts to the Church; their ministry and ability are God’s gifts to them. Matthew was a publican, from among a group who were notoriously unscrupulous in the collection of taxes. Because of their extortion and position as agents of Rome, the publicans were socially rejected, religiously excommunicated and politically viewed as traitors. Nevertheless, their job was lucrative. When Jesus called Matthew, saying “follow me” (verse 9), he forsook his lucrative position to become the Lord’s disciple. How many of us would walk away from a high-paying job to be the Lord’s servant?Having seen what Jesus had done for him, he used his influence to introduce others to Christ. He invited his friends to a feast in honour of Jesus that they too might become acquainted with Him (verse 10). How many of us have opened our home to our neighbours and friends to introduce them to Christ? Can you open your home for House-fellowship? Matthew’s example of using his influence to bring others to Christ should be instructive to each one of us. *PRAYER:* Lord, make me an instrument to bring sinners to Your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen