The Aftermath

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The Aftermath: From Tax Man to Tribesman.
As far as encounters go, the story of Matthew (as well as the other disciples) strikes me as perfect examples for the theme.
It tells of how a meeting with our Lord can alter the course of a life...

Encounter(n) : is an unexpected or casual meeting with someone.

More often than not, events that rock our worlds are the unscheduled detours we tag as "coincidences ". The unplanned have a strong tendency to reshape our plans.
It isn't until the ninth chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew that we read of the unexpected meeting between Jesus, and Matthew.

Verse 9: As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth... NLT
It was certainly a casual, unexpected meeting if you ask me. Matthew started the day ordinary, probably had a thought on how messed up his life was but he quickly dismissed it and went about his regular living.

When Jesus walked by Levi that day and spoke: "follow me " , Matthew could have said no! I mean, it had happened before! Some would be disciples had excused themselves to pursue their other business. And God knows it was a financially profitable business, albeit a corrupt one.

Perhaps it was the passion in those words, the calm intensity with which Jesus spoke, the previous stories he'd heard or the state of Levi's heart, whatever it was, the Bible records that Matthew got up and followed Jesus!
Hallelujah!

The aftermath of his decision was first a party! (My kind of guy). He had encountered the King and he wanted the same for his family, friends and associates. At this party were "many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners" verse 10. Levi was aware of Jesus' cleansing power and he knew his friends needed some of it.

Matthew eventually "rose" to be one of the twelve apostles Jesus selected; as well as the author of the opening book of the New Testament; a Kingly account of Jesus! For the book of Matthew shows a chronological tree of Jesus's connection to King David.

Beloved, it's not enough to meet with God, no. Our lives after must point to that encounter in truth and in deed. The true love from our Savior Messiah is one that warms us up but also causes a change in us. Subsequently, Matthew's tag changed from tax collector, he became known (and addressed) as one of Jesus's guys- a tribesman.

If you're aware of Him, but not a part of Him;
Or if you've had your own casual, unexpected meeting with no resultant effect, simply turn to Him in prayer. There is no better season than now to rekindle that spark.

And like Levi, let us all remember to "let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven ".

Happy Easter!

Deb.

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