From My Heart To You

MATTHEW

It is probable that Matthew's original name was Levi
and that he took or was given the name Matthew, meaning
"gift of Yahweh," when he became a follower of Jesus.
He was a publican, or tax-collector, a profession held
in low regard by the Jews. Publicans were generally
grasping and extortionate. So much did the Jews dislike
them, they would not associate with them at religious
worship or in commerce, nor would they marry into a family
that had a publican among its members.

To his fellow Jews, then, Matthew was decidedly a social
outcast. Jesus, however, showed very little regard for
human respect. When He came across Matthew, the despised
publican, at his toll office, which was possibly located
on the Damascus-Acre road near Capernaum, He decided to call
him to His service. With striking simplicity Matthew's
Gospel narrates what happened: Jesus said, "Follow me. And
he arose and followed him." Thus Matthew, the social outcast,
became a member of the highly privileged group who became
the leaders of Christ's Church.

It is said that after making many converts in Judea, Matthew
went to preach the gospel to the nations of the East. But
nothing of this is known for certain. He is honored as a
martyr, though the circumstances, time, or place of his death
are unknown.

Matthew 9:8-10

But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and
glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man,
named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and
he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house,
behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down
with him and his disciples.

Midi playing ~ All In All