Matthew shared how the people of the city where the demon possessed men were delivered by Jesus both “met” Jesus and “asked him to leave their coasts”, and afterward, “he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; your sins be forgiven you. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemes. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think you evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up your bed, and go unto your house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” In chapter nine and verse nine of his book, Matthew shared how, “as Jesus passed forth from there, he saw a man, named Matthew” where we read:
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.
The verse reads, “And as Jesus passed forth from there, he saw a man, named Matthew, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and as Jesus” or “and even, indeed Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of Mankind and God incarnate” “passed forth” which means “departed and left” “from there” or “from the place where he healed the man sick of the palsy”, “he saw a man” which refers to “Jesus perceived, noticed, discerned and discovered a male human being” “named Matthew” whose name means “gift of Jehovah” and was “the son of Alphaeus and one of the disciples”. Matthew shared the time when Jesus first noticed him.
The verse goes on to say, “... sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.” Matthew continued with the words, “sitting” or “seated and occupying” “at the receipt of custom” or “the toll house, tax collectors office and the place which the tax collector sat to collect the taxed”: “and he said” or “and Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto him” which refers to “to Matthew”, “Follow me” which means “join and accompany Jesus as his attendant, side with Jesus' party or become His disciple”. “And he arose” or “and Matthew rose up and left where he was”, “and followed him” which means “and joined and accompanied Jesus as His attendant and disciple”. Matthew shared how Jesus saw him at his tax collectors table and told him to “come after” Him, and Matthew obeyed .
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we might imagine how Matthew felt as he wrote these words. This was the first time we know of that Jesus saw Matthew, and though he was occupying the most despised position of a tax collector, Jesus called him anyway. Many times Jesus called people out of their occupations such as when He first called James, John, Peter and Andrew from their fishing. God “calls” people to “follow” Him today, and those who are wise shall leave where they are and “join and accompany” Him as 'His “attendant” and “disciple”.
Next time Matthew shares how, “many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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