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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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<strong>and</strong> followed Him. That was a gain that day, not <strong>of</strong><br />

Mat<strong>the</strong>w alone, but <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong> poor <strong>and</strong> needy in<br />

Israel—nay, <strong>of</strong> all sinners firom among men, to<br />

whom <strong>the</strong> door <strong>of</strong> heaven was opened. And, verily,<br />

by <strong>the</strong> side <strong>of</strong> Peter, as <strong>the</strong> stone, we place Levi-<br />

Mat<strong>the</strong>w, as typical <strong>of</strong> those rafters laid on <strong>the</strong><br />

great foundation, <strong>and</strong> on which is placed <strong>the</strong><br />

flooring <strong>of</strong> that habit»* tion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord, which is<br />

His Church.<br />

It could not have been long after this—probably<br />

almost immediately—that <strong>the</strong> memorable ga<strong>the</strong>ring<br />

took place in <strong>the</strong> house <strong>of</strong> Mat<strong>the</strong>w, which gave<br />

occasion to that cavil <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pharisaic Scribes,<br />

which served fur<strong>the</strong>r to bring out <strong>the</strong> meaning <strong>of</strong><br />

Levi's call. For« opposition ever brings into<br />

clearer light positive truth, just as judgment comes<br />

never alone, but always conjoined with display <strong>of</strong><br />

higher mercy. It was natural that all <strong>the</strong> publicans<br />

around should, after <strong>the</strong> call <strong>of</strong> Mat<strong>the</strong>w, have<br />

come to his house to meet <strong>Jesus</strong>. Even from <strong>the</strong><br />

lowest point <strong>of</strong> view, <strong>the</strong> event would give <strong>the</strong>m a<br />

new st<strong>and</strong>ing in <strong>the</strong> Jewish world, in relation to <strong>the</strong>

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