A life rewritten

 

Today in the church calendar, we celebrate St Matthew, the tax collector who became a disciple of Jesus and the author of the Gospel that bears his name. In our reading from Matthew (9:9–13), we heard how Jesus saw him sitting in his tax booth and simply said, “Follow me.” And Matthew got up and did just that.

It’s an incredible response to a life-altering invitation. He left behind his job, his security, his routine and stepped into the unknown with Jesus. He had no hesitation. There was no negotiation. Just trust.

Now, most clergy would love to have that kind of influence. Imagine saying “Follow me” and having everyone joyfully agree - whether it’s about a new style of worship, the layout of the church, or even just encouraging people to love one another more deeply. But we know that’s not how it works. People have opinions, preferences, and sometimes can be resistant to change. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s probably healthy. Clergy aren’t infallible - though we may not always admit it!

The story of Matthew reminds us that we’re not Jesus. But it also reminds us, that Jesus still calls people today. And sometimes, like Matthew, the call comes to even the most unlikely candidates.

Matthew was a tax collector. In his day, that meant he was deeply unpopular - seen as corrupt, greedy, and a collaborator with the occupying Roman forces. He was part of a system that exploited people. 

And yet, Jesus saw him. Not just his profession, but his potential. And he called him.

Matthew’s response was radical. He didn’t have a fishing boat to return to like Peter or Andrew. He was walking away from a lucrative career, perhaps even his home and social standing. But he knew he was walking towards something far greater.

Christian history is full of stories like this - of people from every background, every walk of life, being called by God. And as we sit here today, we are part of that story. We, too, are called. I wonder how we’ve responded. Have we followed with joy? Or have we hesitated?

Matthew didn’t just follow - he committed. And he didn’t keep his faith private. Soon after his calling, he hosted a dinner party and invited his friends to meet Jesus. He wanted others to experience what he had found.

That’s evangelism in its best form - not pressure or persuasion, but invitation. “Come and see,” he says. “Come and meet the one who changed my life.”

Some people today speak of Jesus as a wise teacher or moral example. But he is more than that. As Bishop N.T. Wright puts it, “Jesus’ teaching isn’t just good advice - it’s good news.” It is life changing and we can have the confidence to know that it can also be world shaping! 

Matthew knew this. He had met the source of peace, joy, and eternal hope. And he wanted others to know it too…. So, what does this mean for us?

Matthew’s story reminds us that God calls everyone - the likely and the unlikely. No one is beyond his reach or his love. And it reminds us that we are all invited into mission - to share the good news of Jesus with others.

That can feel a bit scary. We might worry we’ll say the wrong thing, or that we’ll be judged, or that we’ll somehow let God down. But Matthew didn’t let fear hold him back. He simply shared what he had found. He followed with his personal story… 

If we accept this invitation to follow Jesus, our lives - and our church - must become visible signs of God’s presence in our community. 

I want to think of 3 ways this might be possible. 

First it is in our fellowship, our being together. Some people ask, “Do I need to go to church to be a Christian?” Technically, no. But we do need fellowship. We need one another. Church is a place of encouragement, support and shared joy. It’s a family - not perfect, but striving together.

A church that doesn’t seek to be a loving family is settling for far too little. We are called to be a community that reflects God’s love in how we treat one another.

Second, we are invited to learn and grow… As we gather together, we learn - from each other and from God. Prayer and reading the Bible are not reserved for Sundays - they are gifts to be enjoyed daily.

I once saw a sign outside a church that offered a message from God: “This week, most of the prayers I received were about finding parking spaces. People… think bigger!” 

It’s a humorous reminder that God wants more than just our small requests - he wants our hearts, our hopes, our hurts, our thanks.

Prayer is conversation with God. It’s where we grow, where we listen, where we are shaped. 

And the Bible reveals God’s deep love for us. Think of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

That’s not just a technical bit of theology - it’s personal. It’s a promise. And it’s worth sharing.

And that is the third point – we’ve thought of the need to be together as the church, we’ve thought of the need to learn and grow and now we’re challenged and invited to tell others… 

We are sent out to share the love we’ve received. Not with pressure or fear, but with confidence in God’s goodness. We carry a message of hope, of grace, of transformation.

Matthew joined the disciples. They served together, encouraged one another, sometimes even disagreed - but they had a shared purpose: to bring good news to the world.

When Jesus said, “Follow me,” Matthew was ready. Are we?

Let’s be encouraged by his example. Let’s be ready to share God’s love with those we meet. Let’s lift our prayers and praises to God who gave everything for us.

And let’s remember the words of St Augustine: “If I fall into a well, please don’t just peer over the top and ask me how I got in there. Just help me out.”

Our calling is not to judge the world, but to love it. Not to ask, “How did you get into that mess?” but to say, “How can I help?”  And if we find ourselves in that mess, know that God is here with us always – no mess is too great! 

Today, we give thanks for Matthew—for his courage, his commitment, and his gospel. But above all, we give thanks to God who calls people like Matthew—and people like you and me into his family; God, who offers life-transforming love and strength to each one of us.  Amen.