One of the notable things about the Apostle Matthew is the abrupt and stark change from his former life, which is also highlighted in Luke 5. Matthew, who was also called Levi, shows the supremacy of Jesus through his life change. Coinciding with his own conversion, the Gospel of Matthew focuses on Jesus as the King and the Messiah, for example the genealogy starting at Abraham and centering around King David. Matthew declares that Jesus is the King of the kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew used to have a very unique job before following Jesus. He was a tax collector. In Jesus’ day, tax collector had the worst reputation for a job. They were rich but they were scum. Matthew specifically was part of a group of tax collectors that collected more than they should for their own greed. Tax collectors were traitors who worked for Rome and abused their power against their own people. He was the lowest of the low. He was not allowed in the synagogue and deemed unredeemable (John 9:22).
But there was a sudden change in Matthew. Jesus, the light of the world, entered and transformed the black heart of Matthew. Matthew’s conversion demonstrates the supremacy of Jesus Christ. We see the impact Jesus has on a hopeless life. Jesus alone can change the outcome of our hellbound life. Levi was sitting in the tax booth doing his dirty work (Mark 2:14). In some sense, he was stuck, with no way out because of his job. That is until Jesus came and called to Him. Matthew was addicted to his money and was spiritually dead. Like Jesus did to Lazarus in the tomb, Jesus called out to Matthew (John 11:43).
Jesus is Sufficient
Everyone has a specialty but everyone also has a weakness or shortcoming. To put it plainly, they are insufficient. To cover their insufficiency, man creates religion or philosophy (Colossians 2:8). But no religion or philosophy can overcome man’s insufficiency. Our destiny is still judgement (Hebrews 9:26) We can pretend or try really hard but we will always end up short because our sin is real. We are under the wrath of God, but it is Jesus who covered our insufficiency with His blood as a propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:23-25). God’s wrath was satisfied by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. This was proven by His resurrection by which we know we are fully justified (Romans 4:25). Jesus offers what we need most, grace for our sin (John 1:14). It is by the gospel of grace we receive the blessing of Christ. God is well-pleased with His Son, therefore Jesus and His gospel are completely sufficient for our salvation.
Those who know the gospel will know that self is the enemy. By the gospel, we deny ourself and we love God. This is why we always repent. Repentance is not a sad or bad thing for a Christian. Repentance is actually our means to grow (Galatians 2:20) in our faith.
Jesus is Preeminent
Before Jesus called Matthew, Matthew loved money. The world values money because money provides self worth and power. Money’s influence over man is so strong that even until the very last day people will be consumed by money (Rev 18:3). In Mark 2:15, Matthew shows two aspects of Jesus’ superiority. First, after following Christ, Matthew spends his money for Christ by holding a large gathering for many people to come and see Jesus. His joy was not in his wealth but in Christ and so he uses it for his new master (Matthew 6:24). Matthew knew Jesus is better and worth more than his wealth or anything else. (Hebrews 13:4).
Secondly, Matthew believes Jesus is holy God (Matthew 26:63-65, John 20:28). Jesus was sinless and completely fulfilled the law, unlike no man. Since Jesus is God, we must worship Him. Do you really worship Jesus? Ask yourself, what do you pursue, what worries you, what gives you joy? Worship is giving to God what is rightfully His. We can worship Jesus by being thankful. We are thankful to God for His many good deeds but chiefly for our salvation. All other blessings in life are extra but to be thankful in all circumstances we must be thankful for our salvation, which is our sincere worship to the Lord. Our thankful worship enables trusting Jesus when we are in distress. When things go bad, we must hold on to Christ. Instead of blaming God, we bow down in worship before Him. Worship is also praising God. Praise is hard work. As long as a Christian has breath, they sing to the Lord. It doesn’t matter if it’s out of tune but we sing with our heart which pleases the Lord.
Jesus is Central
To Matthew, Jesus is central. Matthew held the party for one person, Jesus. Matthew emphasizes the centrality of Jesus in Matthew 17:3-6. Moses and Elijah are important but God focuses on Jesus. This is because Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Our salvation is up to Christ and no one else. He is at the center of our lives and all of history. Whatever happens, Jesus is central. If you understand this then God will be larger and your circumstance becomes smaller. Therefore consider Jesus as Lord and follow Him. He is in control and in command (Acts 9:6). Jesus is your Lord when you practice obedience and follow Him.
To clarify, simply a better understanding is not worship, but a better understanding with the view of Jesus as Lord is true worship. If Jesus is sufficient, superior and central in your life then you know Jesus. If you know Jesus then you must share Jesus with the world.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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