You called them ?!

Good afternoon,

" … Matthew was a tax collector … and Simon, the Zealot, … Matthew 10: 2,3

Matthew and Simon, the Zealot, are two of the more difficult choices made by Jesus to have as his closest followers. Tax collectors were considered to be thieves. The Temple leadership thought of them as unclean because they handled money. On the other hand, they might have appreciated some new tax money for their work. As the tax man, the Empire would have been a harsh employer. He would have to take just enough that the Empire would not be angry with his commissions, but fine with the amount that he collected for them. Why would Jesus select Matthew ?

Simon would have been a violent revolutionary. Zealots disliked the occupation of the Romans. They would have like to bring in a new kingdom of God through violence. After Jesus died, the Zealots and Jewish leadership were defeated in 70 AD ( CE ) by the Romans, and the Temple was destroyed. Why would Jesus select Simon, the Zealot ?

I wonder what the discussions were like with these two, and the rest of the disciples ? Many of the others were fisherman, so they would not have had high standing in Palestinian society either. Jesus did pick a very different group of people to surround himself with during his time on earth.

Everybody is in. Jesus even allowed Gentiles into the group. If Matthew and Simon can be called disciples with their background, then I am invited in as well. Come and see what it is all about. Whom have we excluded that Jesus will let in into our community ?  Everybody is in the boat

Prayer for Today

  28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”      Matthew 11:28-30

Fred