Believe: Matthew is transformed
Being a disciple — a true follower of Jesus — is a huge call! Jesus says—
Luke 9:23b | … “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
We saw this command demonstrated by John the Baptist last week and learned that disciples believe, know, obey, and proclaim. If that seems overwhelming, sit tight! We’ll see this week it begins simply — the cycle of a disciple begins with belief.
Even in our theme verse, we see an element of belief. It begins— “If any of you wants to be my follower…” Because quite simply, not everyone wants to follow Jesus. Because that next part— giving up your own way — isn’t something they desire. But we’ll see today that when we truly believe, God can help with the rest.
Throughout the Gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), we see Jesus’ earthly ministry. During that time, Jesus travels, teaches, and does miracles to glorify the Father. Mark 2 begins with a familiar scene:
Mark 2:2-3 | Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.
Over and over again we see the lame, the sick, the blind, the oppressed, and even the family of the dead coming to Jesus for help. In this familiar story, the friends were so determined to get to Jesus that they ripped open a roof to get their friend to Him.
Jesus forgives the man’s sin and heals His body and we see that it is because these men believed.
Mark 2:5a | Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
Faith– or belief– changed this man’s life! But what if you aren’t sick, paralyzed, dead, or demon possessed? The passage right after this one paints the rest of the picture for us about belief.
Mark 2:13-14a | Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth…
Throughout the New Testament, tax collectors are hated. They are considered some of “the worst” and perhaps in Jewish eyes, beyond redemption [find out more about why at https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-tax-collectors.html]. Levi of Alphaeus, also known as Matthew, was a tax collector, and because of this, didn’t have a great reputation; he was known for his sin (being dishonest, stealing, selfishness). This makes what happens next even more surprising!
Mark 2:14b | “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him.
Jesus invites Matthew to be his disciple – one of those 12 men who would walk alongside Jesus as His inner circle throughout His earthly ministry. Those disciples would also be entrusted to be part of doing the Kingdom-building work in the Gospels.
Did Jesus make a mistake? Does he really want such a ‘detested sinner’ as part of his team? And what about Matthew? Jesus isn’t asking Matthew to be part of the A-team that travels and earns notoriety because they’re so amazing. Jesus is saying–
Luke 9:23b | … “If … you [Matthew] want to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
In other words, Matthew, if you believe who I [Jesus] am, join me. You’ll struggle and suffer. You’ll leave behind family, friends, comfort, and riches. Truly, the choice to be a disciple involves a counting of the cost.
In that moment, Matthew shows his belief–
Mark 2:14c | So Levi got up and followed him.
Matthew’s belief changes his life. He leaves behind his profession and the sin that was linked to it. He becomes an eyewitness to Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and ministry and a partner in kingdom work. He also becomes one of the four disciples to write a gospel– the book of Matthew– which continues to proclaim the Good News of Jesus generation to generation. This change is evidence of the belief in Matthew’s heart.
You see, true belief in Jesus (the first step to being a disciple) transforms. It makes the blind see, the lame walk, the mute speak, the sick healthy, and the lost (separated from God) found (rescued by Christ). You don’t have to be sick or injured to need Jesus – we are all in desperate need of Jesus as Savior because without Him, we are all bound to sin and death (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Romans 6:23).
A person’s belief is evident in their choice to deny themself (like Matthew did with his riches, success, and sin) and to follow God instead. That belief results in a transformation– who we are, what we do, how we sound, what we value – it all changes – not by our own effort, but because of the Holy Spirit.
2nd Corinthians 5:17 | This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Have you truly believed in Jesus as Savior and Lord?
If so, when? How?
If not, why?
In what ways have you denied yourself to follow Him? If you haven’t, why do you think that is?
Can you see a transformation in your life because of your belief? What was the ‘old you’ like? How has it changed?