A New Opportunity in Christ

Matthew 9:9-17

Jim and Tammy Bakker’s ministry became one of the biggest scandals in the 1980s. Jim misused the ministry funds, had an affair with his secretary, and paid her $265,000 to keep her quiet. He had a problem with the IRS. On and on… eventually the Judge gave him 45 years in prison. Everyone left him, including his wife, who divorced him.

Six months into his sentence, Bakker was surprised one afternoon when the prison governor called him into his office. Bakker had a visitor: Billy Graham.

When Bakker saw Rev. Graham, he asked whether this visit could jeopardize Billy Graham’s reputation.

Graham said he was Bakker’s friend in good and bad times. He wanted to stand next to a preacher who was going through a very difficult time.

Today’s passages were written by a man called Matthew, or called Levi by Mark and Luke. Calling a tax collector to be the Messiah’s disciple is a very unorthodox move by Jesus. If Bakker was the outcast of the society of the 80s and 90s, Matthew the tax collector was the outcast of the society in those days days. I find Jesus, the Son of God looking at life from a different perspective, a shepherd who does not give up from his flock.

In verses 1-15 we see Jesus in three events:

-Verses 1-8: He heals a paralyzed man. Approaching a paralyzed man, considered a sinner at the time, was a taboo. He not only healed him, but also said, “Your sins are forgiven.” That was a big No for the Jews. He could simply tell that man to get up and walk.

-Verses 9-13: He calls a tax collector to follow him and become his disciple. Then Jesus eats with Matthew, the other tax collectors and the “sinners”. What is going on? To invite someone like Peter, a fisherman, one can understand, but tax collectors…

-Verses 14-15: Jesus and the disciples are condemned for not fasting, an important ritual for Jews.

The explanation of all this comes in the allegories found in verses 16-17. Jesus uses two examples: the new patch on old clothes, and the new wine in old wineskin. These will be discussed in the English sermon.

We need to understand that Jesus approaches these issues from a different perspective. He is the “doctor” (savior) for people who recognize that they are “sick” (sinners).

Let’s come back to Matthew, the tax collector and the author.

Tax collectors were hated those days, maybe even by some of us today. They accumulated wealth not only from their salary, but also by getting bribes from the rich so they could pay less. Capernaum was an important area between Egypt and Damascus. Business was good and prosperous.

It seems Matthew did hear about Jesus before. We do not know all the details. Did Matthew have a conversion before this event? Maybe, but one thing is very clear, Jesus called this man. A simple invitation, “Follow me”. Matthew left everything, literally everything, and followed Jesus. A man that you and I would not choose to be a disciple, Jesus chose this man. This is my title: A new opportunity in Christ.

Let us examine what Matthew lost and found. He lost his comfortable job with a very good payment. He found a new life that is so rich that is beyond earthly wealth. He lost his “secure” job and found adventures in a new “job” that would make the world a different place.

He left his tax collector’s table and brought with him one instrument, his pen. I am not sure if the other disciples were good writers, but this man knew how to write. Today we can read the Gospel of Matthew, the writing of a man who used to be an outcast.

Perhaps in worldly terms Matthew lost things; but in reality, Matthew found everything. He found joy, peace, love and comfort that God gave him through His Son.

We will continue in English.