Call to Discipleship

Setting and Overview
It isn’t until the ninth chapter that Matthew gets around to recording his own call and decision to follow Jesus, and when he does, it is in characteristically short fashion, even shorter than in Mark and Luke (where he is called Levi.) This does not mean, however, that his call does contain instruction for us as well, nor does it mean that there is not a significant message in the narrative that follows. While Matthew humbly minimizes his own role and faithfulness, he nevertheless preserves important teaching that is relevant for us today.

Exposition
Matthew may have had other interactions with Jesus before his call (Capernaum was a small town and other disciples seem to have had such experiences before their calls) but Matthew does not record those for us. Jesus encounters him at his tax booth where he would have been serving as a customs duty officer, a role which would have made him despised and isolated from most other Jews. His position nonetheless offered him wealth, and when he leaves it, he leaves all of that behind and would have had no option to return (Luke 5:27-28.)
Following his call, he invites his social circle to a dinner with Jesus. The Gospels are full of significant events and teaching which occur at meals, a reflection of the intimacy that such occasions carried. Partly because of such intimacy, eating with non-Jews and those who were unclean was one of the primary things that most faithful Jews would avoid, but Jesus does not. Whether the designation of “sinners” is coming from Matthew or a reflection of the Pharisees view of them (Luke 5:30) is unclear, but either way, Jesus is dining with people who were considered unacceptable by the Jewish leaders. This designation is then reflected in their question to His disciples, likely coming the next day or sometime after the meal. Because of the cultural significance of meals, especially as they often served to reflect the bond of those dining together (Gen 26:30-31, 31:54, 43:24-34) and the distinction from those outside (Exodus 12:1-11, 18:12, 24:11, 32:5-6), sharing a meal with outsiders went far beyond simply encountering or even teaching them. In their minds, a true prophet would never do such a thing.
Jesus’ answer is to challenge their perception of the role of the Messiah. Their expectation was that the Messiah would come to vindicate those who were already righteous, but Jesus declares that He has come to offer hope to those who are not. Furthermore, He challenges their perception of who they are as well with a quote from Hosea 6:6 (also quoted in Matthew 12:7.) They were proud of their external obedience, but like those who Hosea addressed, their hearts were not faithful to God. Like the “sinners” they also needed healing. While Matthew does not include the clarification from Luke 5:32 that Jesus was still calling the sinners to repent, the point is still clear here as well.

Examination and Application
We can identify several characters and groups in this short narrative and learn lessons from each. Matthew leaves everything to follow Jesus, but while he can, he still tries to bring everyone he can to Jesus. Those who were considered outside of the bounds of help find hope (Ephesians 2:4) offered in repentance. Those who considered themselves to need no help are reminded as well that it is those who recognize that they are not worthy on their own merits, who will approach Jesus with the repentant hearts and poverty of spirit expected of His followers (Matthew 5:4.)