Sept. 21, 2003

Mindekirken September 21, 2003.
Pastor Jens Arne Dale

Today’s headline is St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist. The fact is, however, that no one was ever more unlikely to be an apostle than Matthew. Let me explain:

Matthew was a tax collector. Today this is a decent profession. At the time of Jesus it was different. I have read somewhere that the Romans had a system where the taxes could be collected as efficiently and cheaply as possible. To do this, they sold the right to collect the taxes for a certain amount of money. Anything the tax collector might raise over and above that, he was allowed to keep as commission. If this were the case, it’s easy to understand why the tax collectors might misuse their power, and in some cases used blackmail. People had no right to appeal against the tax collector. The tax collector had all the good cards in his hand. He knew the rules for tax on grain, fruit and wine, fish, income tax, tax on import and export, purchase taxes on goods bought and sold, tax to enter marketplaces, main roads, tax on wheels and axles of carts. Complicated tax laws are nothing new today. To this comes that Matthew did his trade in Capernaum. A quick look at the map shows that it was strategically placed at the north side of the sea of Galilee. It was a fish town and a harbor, located on the main road to Damascus, on the border between Galilee and Philipi. A tax collector could hardly find a better place to settle, at least if he was concerned about enriching himself. Herod Antipas was in charge at this place, but he was in the pockets of the Romans. And for the reputation of a tax collector, the name of the governor didn’t mean anything. Matthew was not popular. Most likely he was hated.

What may we compare Matthew with today? He was an officer likely responsible for great abuse, blackmailing and corruption. Even today some people use Mafia methods to get rich themselves. What about comparing Matthew with a boss of the pornography industry? The moral indignation was so great that tax collectors were mentioned together with sinners, which obviously refers to prostitutes. Matthew had money and position, but morally corrupt as he was, he was subject to despise and hate.

But this man was seen by Jesus. And Jesus saw more than a man who exploited his fellow citizens. Jesus saw a man created in the image of God, a human to whom he would dedicate all the love of God. It simply didn’t matter how bad Matthew had treated his country fellowmen. However morally hardened he was, Jesus met him with respect.

Follow me! Jesus didn’t mention any conditions, but he took all responsibility. In a larger perspective, we may see that Jesus took on himself all the wrongdoings of Matthew. Jesus would die on the cross for the sin of this man, too. Follow me, must have been releasing. Right enough, Matthew left a comfortable job and a good income, but he was freed from his bad conscience, received forgiveness and a new life. Matthew began to respect himself in a new way. He experienced what he had been denied at the tax station every day, namely to be loved.

The radical call of Jesus to follow him is valid even today. For some it may include leaving a job and adjusting to a totally new life situation. At least it means to turn away from sin and fight against all one’s tendencies to exploit others. Matthew had a colleague in Jericho who met Jesus in a similar way. It was said about Zacchaeus that he would give half of his money to the poor and give four times as much back, if he had defrauded anyone. Conversion means to get new values, and the ultimate value is to follow Jesus, believe in him and trust his forgiveness. It doesn’t mean that we’ll become perfect, but that we may regard ourselves as children of God, loved as we are….

It’s hard to fully understand how radical Jesus was when he chose to keep company with tax collectors and sinners. He went to those who were expelled from the good company. He ate and drank together with people who were regarded as unclean by others. Jesus went to the losers. He opened widely the gate to the kingdom of God for them.

In Norway we have had Taperforeningen (the losers association) for ten years. Founder Ola Odegard tells in his book No childhood about his tragic childhood years. He was sent out to steal at the farms of North Gudbrandsdalen. If he returned empty handed to his family, he would be beaten by his parents. He was placed in foster care and tells about sad years of abuse and mistreatment. As an adult, he got help to view life from another angle. The Christian faith was crucial when his wounds were healed. For many years Ola worked as journalist in the same newspaper as my wife, and ten years ago he started Taperforeningen. People of different kinds who have found no other support, have been helped. To some it has meant moral reparation and economic compensation. Bishops and parliament members have attended meetings at Taperforeningen. They have even had an audience with the King.

Jesus saw and respected losers. He gave them back dignity and showed that all men are loved by God. Paul has a phenomenal verse where he underlines that everyone has the same value: There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus, Gal 3.28. We all have access to the same grace in Jesus Christ. We are all equally respected by God. This is an obligation for us to show the same respect to the ones who are living on the shady side of life, people who exploit others and people others despise. This does not contradict the fact that criminals should be punished. The point is fair treatment. God sees opportunities in every one of us. Jesus used a striking parable: Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick... I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.

Matthew got a radical call for salvation, but at the same time he got the call to become an apostle. He followed Jesus for three years very closely, and he stands as one of the founders of the church. Did Jesus have something special in mind when he called the tax collector Matthew? Matthew left everything, except for one thing. He kept his pen. Matthew was able to write, and he has written one of the most important books in the world literature, the gospel which bears his name. No one like Matthew has seen Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophesies of the OT. He has given us the parables of the ten bridesmaids and the laborers of the vineyard, to mention two. Matthew wrote for his own people, the Jews. He is so sad because they rejected Jesus. In no other place is Jesus’ fight with the Pharisees described more strongly. Matthew gave us the great commission, which is read every time a child is baptized.

Matthew got to use his pen in the service of Jesus. When I wrote this sermon, I constantly heard the noise of drilling from the basement of the church. Volunteers are using their tools and talents to serve the kingdom of God. The voluntary work in the church basement is only one example of how Jesus may use us. We are called to salvation. We are called to serve. Still Jesus says: Follow me.

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716