18th Sunday after Trinity – Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

18th Sunday after Trinity – Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.
21st September 2008
Steve Worsley

Readings
Psalm 119:65-72
Prov 3:13-18
2Cor 4: 1-6
Matt 9:9-13


Helen’s asked if I would cover the sermon slot this week. I said yes – I can never say no :o) Then it hit me what was I going to talk about? How could I follow on from the last one I did – I wondered what I had actually agreed to. But not to worry put your faith in God Steve and it will all work out fine.

I looked for inspiration and found nothing, it’s like one of the desert moments in our lives, then I found out what today’s reading were. Matthew 9:9-13, God must be working in my life; I knew this passage in fact I knew it very well. I read this passage a lot. It’s one of those passages I turn to on a regular basis.

Why do I read it, Jesus calling Matthew and a big feast with cheats, liars, robbers – Great story, do you not think so?

It reminds me of why I follow Jesus; it reminds me where I was and where I wanted to be.

I think, my life is very similar to Matthews, I don’t mean I work for the Inland Revenue or anything like that but over the years I have done, said and thought all sorts of things that I’m not proud of and I’m sure Matthew is thinking just that when Jesus says to him “Follow Me”

This story is about an ordinary person, an ordinary person like me and like you being called by Jesus to be one of his first disciples

Jesus saw something in Matthew that made him think that he was a suitable prospect to help in spreading the good news.

This ordinary person was a tax collector and you may not think that’s much but like to earlier when I said Inland Revenue and you all winced, tax collectors in the time of Jesus were even worse, they were hated for being embezzlers, cheats, they were corrupt and as they were working for Rome they were viewed as traitors.

How can this tax collector be a suitable prospect for the job of running the kingdom? Tax collectors are not admired, he didn’t seem to have any particular talents, he was so to speak one of the little people and he was invited to become one of the foundation stones of Church and eventually write a Gospel.

Like Mathew, I didn’t think I had any particular talents and a small fish in a big pond.

So why Matthew, I think Matthew, at the bottom of his heart wanted to change, he didn’t like what he was doing, he didn’t like what his life stood for, he knew there must be something more. As soon as Jesus said follow me he did.

Once Matthew had accepted his new post, he did what we all do, hold a celebration. Matthew had a feast over at his house and invited all his friends, other tax collectors, cheats and robbers and Jesus joins them and eats with them. Matthew new what social customs he was violating of course, but Matthew had already learned the lesson that was about to be taught to the others.

Now this is what I do – imagine yourself in the scene, you have been invited to the feast.

Are you sat at the table?

We know where the sinful people are but what about the righteousness? What are the Pharisee doing? Remember they are strict observers of the traditions especially when it comes to ceremonial cleanliness.

Where are the Pharisees in the room?

The Pharisee are outside the room probably wondering why Jesus is eating with such a bad crowd. Are you sitting at the table eating with Jesus or stood outside with the Pharisees?

I know once upon a time I would have been stood outside,

Imagine who could be sat at your table today, a drunk, a drug addict, a gang member, the local tramp - would you be happy sitting with these people, at your table?

I read this passage to remind me that I’m not righteous, I have imperfections but I want to change and I have responded to Jesus’ Follow Me.

Jesus mingled with these people and said:
Matt9:12-13
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick…….

In this call of Matthew followed by the feast at his house, I think Jesus taught some important lessons concerning discipleship and evangelism;

Don’t prejudge yourself or others……
Few could surpass Paul for the things he was guilty of - READ (get a Bible) 1 TIM 1:12-16

Jesus see’s people, not for what they are but for what they can become….
Peter did not live up to his name (a rock), until several years of growth as a disciple

We must never forget….
No Christian is perfect only forgiven
A Saint is a sinner who keeps trying
Churches grow out of weakness, not strength
That is we are willing to accept weak, imperfect members and help them to grow

This is re-iterated when Jesus told the chief priests in Matthew 21: 31 Truly I tell, you the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you…

So, if, on honest reflection you see yourself more like the Pharisee than his new found disciple you are indeed in need of spiritual healing provided by the great physician.

So let us ordinary as we may be in our calling, in our profession, in our work and in our abilities know that Jesus has called us to his friendship and to share in his mission in bringing him to the world around us. We may be ordinary but we have a great resource to sustain us, the Holy Spirit so let us use it and share our faith with others..

Let us finish with a prayer…..

Heavenly Father, who creates all things for a reason,shape us like clay to your purpose, tell us our true names.Fire us with the Holy Spirit, in darkness and in light.Guide us to the people and places that can work your will in us.For we are ready, Lord,to be made your servants and your disciples in Jesus’ name.Amen.