Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today, as we meet Matthew, we’ll meet a man many thought was beyond God’s reach.

Some people have have long memories. They’ll remember: who skipped out on a bill thirty years ago, who said something sharp at that meeting a decade ago, and whose family has been “on the out” since the holiday when “who remembers what happened.” Those memories can turn hearts of flesh into hearts of stone. They might smile and wave, but deep down they’re keeping a list.

I remember at my first call the stories that were told about why they were in a newer building. It was s very nice new building. Everyone like it, but there were those stories. One gentleman got up during a voters’ meeting about remodeling the old building. He said it plan and clear. I’ll put $40,000 into a new building but I’m not gonna’ give one dime to this piece of junk!”

At my second church, they too were in a newer building. And there were stories. The original plan that was presented (and it was expensive to get those plans) had no kitchen. Let me assure you, it didn’t take long before the ladies in that church ensured a kitchen was drawn into those plans. (And people still remember clearly who let that slide, and who made sure it was done right!) Both of those issues were decades old. Some people have have long memories.

St. Matthew (nobody would have called him “Saint”), he had a reputation. He collected taxes for the Romans. His profits were made by collecting more then what Rome required and keeping the balance for himself. He profited off the oppression of his own neighbors. Everyone saw him as a traitor. Then Jesus said two words, “Follow Me.”

I can assure you everybody gasped when Jesus said those words: To him!

Law: Our Sin of Drawing Lines

Were good at the game. We say, “We’re all sinners,” but he’s just a little to good at it, and we don’t associate with that kind of sinner. Sinners are welcome, but “real good sinners” are welcome to go somewhere else. We like to assume we’re on the better side. Ezekiel’s words, from the Old Testament reading, reminds us we’re all rebels.

What if the contents of your heart: every grudge, every less than pure thought, every unkind word, were projected on the side of the barn for all your neighbors to see? No hiding. No excuses. Most of us might be invited to go somewhere else with the really good sinners we think we should avoid.

And here’s the real crux¹ of the matter: without Jesus, there is no “good crowd” to stand in. There’s only one category: sinner. Regardless of how good you are at sinning.

Gospel: Christ’s Outrageous Exchange

… but then there’s the miracle: Jesus doesn’t avoid sinners, not even the really good ones. He seeks them out. He chases them down. Those who are contagious with the disease of dastardliness, Christ cuts to the cure, by taking it on Himself on purpose. On the cross, He became the outcast, not just a really good sinner, but the one-time-grand-ultimate-master-sinner of all time,² so you could be free. He was condemned so you could be forgiven. He was banished so you could be brought home.

The Bible tells us Jesus gives gifts of grace: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. He gives them, but not pulled from the ranks of the self-righteous. They come from folks like you, from among the forgiven.

¹¹ He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [the Church.] ³

That’s why He called Matthew. That’s why He calls you.

Matthew’s Call and Ours

Matthew didn’t earn his place, it was given to him. He didn’t go find Jesus. Jesus came to find him. His past didn’t disqualify him. Your mess is the very place Jesus’ mercy shines brightest. In Holy Baptism, Christ claimed you, the “Friend-of-Sinners” forgave you, and set you on a new path. In His Word and Sacred Supper He heals and strengthens you on the vehicle of repentance, confession and absolution: forgiveness.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look at Him! A glutton and a drunkard, a Friend of tax collectors and sinners!”⁴

Your call is to follow, even when the road is steep, even when the trail is hard, even when the path is full of those who think you’re just a little bit too good at sinning. Your call is to bring mercy into: workplaces, families, schools and sports teams all of which are full of people who don’t understand it yet. You go into the these places to forgive those who’ve wronged you, if for no other reason then do it simply because Jesus has forgiven you.

Matthew’s Life

Matthew’s journey was probably full of challenges and repercussions for bad decision. He is actually first introduced as Levi son of Alphaeus.⁵ We don’t know anything about his father Alphaeus, but we can speculate he didn’t think too much about his son. Levi means attached and connected. His father gave him that name at his circumcision as he became a member of the family of God, but his son broke that connection by becoming a traitor to his people and an embarrassment to his family.

He chose the path of a tax collector, aiding Rome and himself to his own people’s money. He was no doubt good at numbers, records, and detailed work. He honed those skills. Skills God would use.

From the moment Jesus walked up to this thieving traitor he’s had a new name: Matthew. A name that means: Gift of the Lord. I’m sure the disciple’s first reaction to that name was doubt. “Why would Jesus bring this guy into our group?” But this guy became Matthew-Levi. A gift of the Lord attached to Jesus.

Just like you, when you get attached to Jesus your life does change. Matthew had sills. Skills God would use in the writing of the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible. A book of details that confirms over and over and over, Jesus is the Messiah the one promised through the ages. The one promised to Adam and Eve.⁶ The one promised to the patriarchs and the prophets. The one promised to those who knew Matthew. The one promised to you.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Matthew stayed with the other apostles in Jerusalem until Pentecost. Then he taught people about Jesus, first in Judea, then as far as distant lands like Ethiopia. Wherever he went he carried the same message. The message he had once heard at his tax booth: “Follow Me.” Follow Jesus.

Matthew’s life ended as a martyr executed for his faith in Ethiopia. He was run through with a sword, but he died as he had lived since that day Jesus called him. He was faithful to his Lord. From despised tax collector to honored evangelist, Matthew’s life is proof, Jesus’ mercy transforms sinners into saints. His call is not about where you start, but where He leads.

Living Mercy in a Hostile World

In our world, showing mercy can be costly. Speaking up against sin the world loves, and offering forgiveness for the sins it hates, can make you a target. Remember the Beatitudes we looked at just a few weeks ago. Jesus said,

Blessed are you when others revile you… Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.⁷

You may be shunned, mocked, even harmed, but your life is safe in Christ.

Conclusion: The Feast That Has No End

Some day you might have the opportunity to meet Matthew, and every forgiven sinner at the Feast that has no end. Not because you stayed “on the right side” but because Christ crossed the cordoned⁸ curb to bring you home.

His invitation still stands, “Follow Me.” Follow Him through life. Follow him through death. Follow Him into life everlasting which is yours because of Jesus’ mercy. That is amazing and outrageous mercy.

Amen.

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NOTES:

1Crux – From the same word as Cross.