THE DAILY FOUNTAIN:
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 (St. Matthew's Day)
TOPIC: THE CALL OF MATTHEW (LEVI)
READ: MATTHEW 9:9-13 ...
BY: Ven David O. Femi-Ologbe

Matthew was a tax collector - one of the most despised groups in Jesus' day because they worked for their Roman oppressors. In the eye of the Jews, they were the worst of sinners. They were cheats, dishonest and unjust men. Most tax collectors were extremely wealthy because the Roman Government allowed them to collect more than the percentage required for taxes. They greedily abused their rights by adding whatever percent they felt could be collected. As a result, they were deeply hated by the people.

Matthew was a chief tax collector, a great sinner. Whereas Jesus saw in him a man who needed salvation, the people saw him as a cheat, dishonest and dubious man to be hated and shunned. Jesus invited Matthew to follow Him, in spite of his past history and bad social record. Matthew responded promptly and followed Jesus, and promptly became a great witness for Jesus. He organised a great banquet for Jesus and invited his fellow tax collectors (Luke 5: 29). That programme yielded great fruits, because many of these sinners became followers of Jesus. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. We should do likewise. casual and country style wears for a wedding

PRAYER:
Lord, make me a true witness for You.