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Matthew Introduction

The Jews waited for a leader who had been promised centuries before by inspired prophets,  They believed that this leader, the Messiah (“anointed one”) would rescue them from their Roman oppressors and establish a new kingdom.  As their king, he would rule the world with justice.  However, many Jews overlooked prophecies that also spoke of this king as a suffering servant who would be rejected and killed. 

It is no wonder, then, that few recognized Jesus as the Messiah.  How could this humble carpenter’s son from Nazareth be their king?

Matthew (Levi) was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples.  Once he was a despised tax collector, but his life was changed by this man from Galilee.  Matthew wrote this Gospel to his fellow Jews to prove that Jesus is the Messiah and to explain God’s kingdom. 

This gospel forms the connecting link between the Old and New Testaments because of its emphasis on the fulfillment of prophecy.

Listen to Matthew’s clear message.  Jesus is the Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Celebrate His victory over evil and death and make Christ the Lord of your life!

The Calling of Matthew--Matthew 9:9-13

9  As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10  While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.

11  When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

12  On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

13  But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."