Daily Devotion

Here, we have the call of Matthew. Of all people in Israel, the tax collectors were the most hated. Israel was a country subject to the Romans; tax collectors had taken service under the Roman government; therefore, they were regarded as renegades and traitors.  Robbers, murderers, and tax-collectors were classed together, and they were barred from the synagogue. A Roman writer tells us that he once saw a monument to an honest tax-collector. An honest specimen of this renegade profession was so rare that he received a monument!

What Matthew did was to invite Jesus to a feast-he could well afford it---and to invite his fellow tax collectors, and their friends to meet Him. Matthew's first instinct was to share the wonder he had found. John Wesley once said, "No man ever went to Heaven alone; he must either find friends or make them." It is a Christian duty to share the blessedness that we have found. (2) the scribes and Pharisees objected. Jesus had the perfect answer. He pointed out that it is only sick people who need doctors, and people like Matthew and his friends were the very people who needed Him most. It would be well if we were to regard the sinner not as a criminal, but as a sick man. It would be well if we were to look on a man who made a mistake not as someone deserving contempt, but as someone needing love, and help to find the right way.

 

Life Application: Are you one who is a spiritual doctor to others. Do you lead sinners to their doctor, Jesus? Our world needs doctors who really care for the sinners, and who will lead them to Jesus, the Great Physician.

 

Praise/Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for sending Jesus into our world so He could show us how we are to act with sinners. They need Jesus, the Great Doctor, who can meet their needs. They really need people who will lead them to one who can forgive their sins, and give them a new life. When I was led to Jesus, I found a Savior, friend, and the giver of a new life. Dear Father, I meet sinners every day. Please anoint me to lead them to Jesus. Thank You, my dear Father. Amen!