134. A Man Named Matthew.

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. - Matthew 9:9.

MATTHEW is here writing about himself. Note his modesty in the expression "a man, named Matthew," and in his omission of the fact that the feast mentioned in verse 10 was held in his own house. The story is placed immediately after a miracle, as if to hint that Matthew's conversion was a miracle.

There are points of similarity between the miracle and the conversion. Matthew was spiritually palsied by his sins, and his money-making; hence he needed the divine command, "Arise, and walk."

There may be points of likeness also between Matthew's personal story and our own. These may be profitably considered.

I. HIS CALL SEEMED ACCIDENTAL AND UNLIKELY.

· Jesus had often been at Capernaum, which he had selected to be "his own city"; and yet Matthew remained unsaved. Was it likely that he would now be called? Had not his day of grace closed?

· Jesus was about other business; for we read, "as Jesus passed forth from thence." Would he now be likely to call Matthew?

· Jesus left many other persons uncalled; was it not highly probable that the tax-gatherer would be passed by?

· Yet Jesus called to himself this "man, named Matthew," while many another man had no such special call.

· "He saw a man, named Matthew," for he foresaw him.

· He knew him, for he foreknew him.

In all which there is a parallel between Matthew and ourselves.

II. HIS CALL WAS ALTOGETHER UNTHOUGHT OF AND UNSOUGHT.

1. He was in a degrading business. None but the lowest of the Jews would care to gather taxes for the Roman conqueror. His discipleship would bring no honor to the Lord Jesus.

2. He was in an ensnaring business. The publicans usually made a personal profit by extorting more than was due. He was not paying away, but sitting "at the receipt of custom; and this is a pleasing exercise. " Money is bird-lime to the soul.

3. He would not have dared to follow Jesus even if he had wished to do so. He felt himself to be too unworthy.

4. He would have been repulsed by the other disciples had he proposed to come without the Lord's open invitation.

5. He made no sign in the direction of Jesus. No prayer was offered by him, nor wish expressed towards better things.

The call was of pure grace, as it is written, "I am found of them that sought me not."

III. HIS CALL WAS GIVEN BY THE LORD, WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF HIM.

Jesus "saw a man, named Matthew," and called him.

1. He saw all the evil that had been in him, and was yet there.

2. He saw his adaptation for holy service, as a recorder and penman.

3. He saw all that he meant to make of him.

4. He saw in him his chosen, his redeemed, his convert, his disciple, his apostle, his biographer.

The Lord calls as he pleases, but he sees what he is doing. Sovereignty is not blind; but acts with boundless wisdom.

IV. HIS CALL WAS GRACIOUSLY CONDESCENDING.

· The Lord called "a man, named Matthew,"—that was his best.

· He was a publican—that may not have been his worst.

· He allowed such a sinner to be his personal attendant; yea, called him to that honor, saying; "Follow me"

· He allowed him to do this immediately, without putting him into quarantine. He was to follow the Lord there and then.

V. HIS CALL WAS SUBLIMELY SIMPLE.

1. Few were the words: "Follow me."

· It is very tersely recorded," He saw. . , he saith. . , he arose."

2. Clear was the direction: "Follow me."

3. Personal was the address: "He saith unto him."

4. Royal was the command: "He saith."

VI. HIS CALL WAS IMMEDIATELY EFFECTUAL.

1. Matthew followed at once. "He arose and followed him."

2. He followed spiritually as well as literally. He became a sincere, devout, earnest, intelligent disciple.

3. He followed wholly: bringing his voice and his pen with him.

4. He followed growingly, more and more.

5. He followed ever after, never deserting his Leader.

What a call was this! None could have given it but the Lord.

VII. HIS CALL WAS A DOOR OF HOPE FOR OTHERS.

1. His salvation encouraged other publicans to come to Jesus.

2. His open house gave opportunity to his friends to hear Jesus.

3. His personal ministry brought others to the Savior.

4. His written gospel has convinced many, and will always do so.

Are you up to your neck in business? Are you "sitting at the receipt of custom?" Yet may a call come to you at once. It does come.

Hear it attentively, rise earnestly, and respond immediately.