As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collectors booth. “Follow me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9
Matthew was a despised Jew. He worked collecting duties and taxes along trade routes, growing rich exploiting his country men for the sake of a foreign power. When Jesus gave the call, Matthew dropped everything and followed. He must have really hated looking at himself in the mirror, for he left a very lucrative and powerful position to follow a homeless Savior.
The hope of Jesus was in complete contrast to common existence. Jesus was not at despotic ruler exacting arbitrary power as Rome was doing and the Jewish establishment was enabling, but a divine healer alleviating human suffering.
It is difficult to not put our hope in the powers and authorities of this earth. We long for strength and integrity of government to offer us the security of a predictable future, but the things of this earth will never compare or fulfill like the simple touch of the divine lover of our soul. Institutions, laws, rigorous routines, education…… do not bring peace, Jesus does. Follow Him.
Love,
Gretchen