Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

Sufficient cause for the unpopularity of publicans in New Testament times is not farseek. Hatred of paying duties seems to be ingrained in human nature. Customsofficials are always unpopular. The method is necessarily inquisitorial. The manwho opens one's boxes and bundles to appraise the value of what one has, is at besta tolerated evil. In Judea, under the Roman system, all circumstances combined tomake the publican the object of bitter hatred. He represented and exercised inimmediate contact, at a sore spot with individuals, the hatred power of Rome. Thetax itself was looked upon as an inherent religious wrong, as well as civilimposition, and by many the payment of it was considered a sinful act of disloyaltyto God. The tax-gatherer, if a Jew, was a renegade in the eyes of his patrioticfellows. He paid a fixed sum for the taxes, and received for himself what he couldover and above that amount. The ancient and widespread curse of arbitrariness wasin the system. The tariff rates were vague and indefinite (cf. see Schurer, HJP, I, ii,67 f). The collector was thus always under the suspicion of being an extortioner andprobably was in most instances. The name was apt to realize itself. The unusualcombination in a publican of petty tyrant, renegade and extortioner, made bycircumstances almost inevitable, was not conductive to popularity. 134. and yet we understand that the love of money as motivation was not confined to the publicansa. one of the apostles, Judas Iscariot, looted the Lord’s treasury for personal gain and eventuallysold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silverb. and the Pharisees, who along with the scribes, questioned the righteousness of this feast,were themselves known as “lovers of money” (Luke 16:14)D. Authorship and Obscurity1. Matthew is recognized as the author of the first gospel account, although, like the otherbiographers of Christ, he does not so identify himself in the book that bears his name2. according to uninspired sources, Matthew wrote his gospel before the other three and prior to thefall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70a. “Origen, in the beginning of the 3rd century could speak of it as the first of ‘the four Gospels,which alone are received without dispute by the church of God under heaven’(cf. in Eusebius, HistoriaEcclesiastica, VI, 25)” 14b. so-called church father Barnabas quotes from its familiar “It is written” formula 153. Matthew seems to write for a Jewish religious audience, emphasizing the fulfillment of messianicprophecy through relating the discourses and events of Christ’s life from incarnation to ascensionII. Some ApplicationsA. Follow Me1. it is somewhat astounding to read Mark’s words about Matthew’s calling–how he simply gets upfrom his lucrative and reviled chair at the custom house to follow the Lord2. it is more likely that he knew something of the Lord and was simply moved by the invitation thanthat he responded to a complete stranger with implicit obediencea. faith comes by hearing the word of God and Christ’s call was as much to faith as it was tofollowingb. and yet the fact that he leaves so much behind to follow is a great lesson in discipleship3. just as Peter and Andrew left their father and their nets behind to become fishers of men, Jesuscalls people like Levi out of sin to follow him as students and imitators (Mark 8:34-38)4. that kind of following depends upon complete loyalty and priority and not all are capable orinterested, in spite of wanting to be religious and feel justified (Luke 9:57-62)5. following Christ begins with a response to his invitation, a step into the waters of baptism and alife of discipleship that is faithful even unto death (“ For to this you were called, because Christ alsosuffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (First Peter 2:21)B. Money1. money did not get in Matthew’s way, nor in the way of the other harlots and tax collectors whowere converted to Christ, but it did get in the way of Judas Iscariot, the Pharisees and one rich young ruler(Luke 18:22-25)136! Jeff S. Smith