Matthew 9:9-13

·33 min·3 clips

Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector considered worse than a murderer, to follow him.

The episode is a sermon from Calvary Chapel Palm City, part of a series studying the Gospel of Matthew verse by verse. The host begins with prayer and sets the context in Capernaum, a small town of about 2,000 people. He explains that Jesus, after performing miracles, calls Matthew, a tax collector, from his tax booth. The host details why tax collectors were hated: they were collaborators with Rome, thieves, and considered ceremonially unclean. He compares them to modern-day collaborators with terrorist groups. Jesus' invitation to Matthew is shocking because rabbis typically sought elite disciples, not outcasts. The host defines discipleship as learning and living like Jesus, not just acquiring Bible knowledge. Matthew immediately leaves his tax booth, which meant forfeiting a lucrative, paid position permanently, illustrating the cost of following Jesus. The scene shifts to Matthew's house, where he hosts a feast for Jesus, inviting other tax collectors and sinners. The host notes that eating together in ancient culture signified fellowship and acceptance, which upset the Pharisees. Jesus responds to their criticism with two points: first, using the analogy of a physician helping the sick, and second, quoting Hosea 6:6, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' The host explains that this scripture emphasizes heart attitude over ritual, criticizing the Pharisees for missing the message of mercy. He concludes that Jesus came to call sinners, not those who consider themselves righteous, and encourages kindness toward those with differing views. The episode ends with a prayer and a preview of the next week's study on verses 14-15.

As heard by us

A close sermon on Matthew's call finds Jesus' mercy at the tax booth and table.

Matthew 9:9 becomes a focused look at Jesus welcoming people already labeled as sinners. Set in Capernaum, the sermon follows Matthew from the tax booth to the table: he hears the call, gets up, follows, and then opens his home.

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Why you'd press play

Want a Bible study where Matthew's tax booth opens into a hard look at the circles already around you?

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