The Tax Man

The Tax Man

Q: What other name was Matthew known by?

• a. Levi
• b. Simon
• c. Thaddaeus

In Jesus’ time, there was a man named Matthew, also known as Levi, who was a Jew paid to collect taxes for Rome. The tax collectors were despised and were called sinners. But when Jesus walked by Matthew’s collection booth, he said, “Follow me and be my disciple.”

Matthew got up and immediately followed Jesus. Perhaps he’d heard others talk about Jesus or had heard Jesus teach. Or maybe it was the way Jesus seemed to look right into Matthew’s heart and know he needed a change in his life. Whatever the reason was, Matthew went with Jesus.

Later Matthew invited Jesus and Jesus’ disciples to dinner at his home with some other tax collectors. The Pharisees, who were very strict about keeping the religious laws, were disgusted that Jesus would dine with known sinners. They asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

Jesus heard and answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

People assumed Jesus came to save those who didn’t follow the religious laws, but he came to save all sinners. Often the righteous people didn’t think they needed a Savior because they followed all the religious rules. They thought they were good enough.

Even today it may not be the “good enough” people who come to Jesus, but those who realize they are sinful and need a Savior.

For You

Don’t assume the “bad kids” at school or in your neighborhood won’t listen when you talk about Jesus. Everyone needs to hear the Good News. Although some people may not listen at first, you are planting the seed of the gospel in their lives. That’s exactly what Jesus asks you to do.

Answer: a

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.   Mark 2:13-14

(The Whole Story: Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32)