The call of Matthew

Throughout the week many different things call for my attention; but only a few command my complete and immediate consideration. My dogs watch me, wondering if it’s playtime or if I will fumble my people-food, and they receive a portion of my time, but they do not command my attention. My kids likewise request and receive a measure of my day, but only rarely do they arrest my complete focus. Perhaps the person who gets my closest awareness is my wife, but many of her requests during the day get put off for another time. School requires a lot of my day, though I find my attention wanders and so I wonder: what would snap me from these everyday inattentions to complete focus on another person? That their very word would call me away from everything that holds me now into something different?

Reading the call of Matthew in his gospel (9:9-13), I am convicted by the simple statement that drew him from his occupation into his service with Christ. The record indicates that Jesus was walking by the tax-collector’s booth where Matthew was working; he saw him and said, ‘Follow me!’ And rising, Matthew followed him. He left the profitable exercise of his business, essentially quitting his job to become a follower of Christ. He took Jesus to his home and had all of his friends over to meet him.

If you are reading this blog, chances are good that you are a believer in the message of Christianity and the person of Christ, but it seems that the call of Matthew is really a call to every one of us. Follow me! And just like Matthew, we must respond in simple obedience. Whatever calls for your devotion is no longer worthy of your attention, follow him! As you follow, there are many things to balance, but they all must fit under the category of following Christ: Are you a parent? Follow him and raise your children correctly! Are you a husband or wife? Follow him and love your spouse! When you feel yourself drifting and aimless, remember Matthew’s response to Christ’s call. He got up. And followed.