I have often read with frustration the call of Matthew. It’s infuriating because it’s all over in just one verse. Jesus simply bowls up to Matt’s office and says “Follow me”. And Matthew does. The whole incident is over in just 30 words. What’s going on?
Presumably, this is not the first time that Jesus and Matthew had met. I mean, you just don’t leave a well paying job, a plush office, company car and bonuses at a moments notice to follow some itinerant who’s wandered in off the street.
No, this is the culmination of a relationship that has been bubbling along for some time. Straight after this little verse Jesus is at Matthews place and having a dinner party with some pretty shady characters. Probably this is not the first time Jesus had been at Matts to enjoy a couple of glasses of red ned and a roast lamb.
But there is something else that is puzzling. The masters selection criteria for one of the most important jobs on the planet. This would not be a popular choice for the electorate. Matthew was not the sort of guy you promote to the cabinet, not even the back bench or the local council.
So I must conclude that The Master saw something in Matthew that we of course can’t. Not now in the 20th century. When Jesus sits down at the highly polished large oak desk, he doesn’t see a tax collector, smartly coiffured with a Gucci suit. He sees Matthew for who he truly is.
Matthew gets this. He understands that he is being approached for no other reason than he is wanted for himself.
No wonder Matthew quickly emails his boss and quits. He’s got a better offer. Now if we had eyes to see and hearts to understand…