The Book of Matthew
Blessings to you, one who is LOVED by our Abba, with an everlasting love.
Almost ten years ago I had a group on Facebook called “Wisdom Seekers.” I wrote Monday through Friday about a chapter in the Bible. I encouraged my readers to read the chapter for themselves, ask the LORD what He was telling them, and then respond. I have been pondering starting this again, but here, and not on Facebook. We will probably not go in order of Books, but we will go as I feel God leads. I encourage you, the reader, to come along on this journey. We will go together one chapter at a time.
We are starting in the book of Matthew. I heard Graham Cooke speak the other day about being a Disciple of Jesus and not a Disciple of Paul or any of the other authors in the Bible. I had not looked at it like that before as the whole Bible is important for us to know. That being said, let’s dive into Matthew this afternoon.
When you look at who Jesus chose to follow Him you cannot help but love Matthew. I love Matthew first because he was a numbers guy like my guy. I also love Matthew because he was an undesirable in the culture in which he lived. He was a tax collector. People felt about him which many feel about a call from the IRS in our day. He would not be someone we would want to call on us. He was an undesireable friend and member of society.
In fact, the Pharisees made a comment in Mark 2:16 that Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors. Mark 2:15-16 “15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes [a]and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”
Matthew knew what it was like to be a black sheep in society. There are many who have been treated with rejection and accusation, and yet, Jesus, says, “Follow Me.” Wow! Doesn’t it make you love Him all the more? It does me.
Today we are going to look at chapter one of Matthew. As I was reading it over, I asked the LORD, “What am I supposed to see.” The first thing I noticed through the genealogy of Jesus that there are other undesirables. Rahab comes to mind. She was a prostitute. What? Why, would the King of the Universe put a prostitute in the lineage of Jesus? It just doesn’t make sense until you realize, He can use anyone He wants. He calls us into all righteousness. That means what has happened in our past is our past. I have heard my Pastor say, “God does not live in the past.” If that is true, and I believe it to be so, then why do we? Rahab was USED by God. If He can use her He can use us. We just have to be open to what He is calling us to. This brings me to my second observation.
Matthew 1:24-25 “24-25 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.”
God calls us to be obedient to Him. Yes, you can tell me that Joseph had a dream and an angel told him to marry Mary. We all have the ability to hear God’s voice if we are listening. We are all called into obedience to His Word and to His voice. Joseph was obedient even though it would have gone against every single thing he believed to be true.
I used to say, “If it is not swift obedience it is disobedience.” I still believe that. When my daughter was little I am sure she heard it more times than she wanted to. I also believe that when I do not quickly respond to what the LORD is telling me, I am in disobedience. “Forgive them.” LORD, you do not know what they did. “Give to them.” LORD, this is my birthday money. “Pray for them.” Again, LORD, why, am I praying again. “Turn off that movie.” LORD, it is funny. “Stop listening to that music.” It has a great beat. “Go to church.” LORD, I can watch church from the comfort of my house. “Shut your mouth.” LORD, I have to give my side. “Stay.” LORD, I want to leave.
Oh, my goodness, every single one of these and many more have been a conversation I have had with the LORD at one time or another. Maybe, just maybe, our Abba, knows better than we do. Even if it goes against every single thing we believe to be true, He calls us into obedience.