Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

Have you ever felt like you don’t quite measure up? Like your past mistakes or current struggles have written you off from ever truly being accepted, loved, or called to something greater? If so, you’re not alone. There’s a man in the Bible who knows exactly how that feels—a man named Matthew, also called Levi. His story, though steeped in imperfection, shines with the powerful truth of grace, showing us that our flaws don’t disqualify us from God’s call but rather become the platform for His transforming power.

Before Matthew became the author of the Gospel that bears his name, he was living in the shadows, a man consumed by stigma and isolation. As a tax collector for the Roman Empire, he was considered a traitor by his own people. His occupation—greedy, corrupt, and unclean in the eyes of his fellow Jews—made him an outcast, a man whose worth seemed only to be measured in money. And yet, in the midst of this brokenness, Jesus saw him.

In a moment that would forever change the trajectory of Matthew’s life, Jesus looked at him and simply said, “Follow Me.” No qualifiers, no judgment—just an invitation to leave behind everything and follow the One who saw beyond the label. This wasn’t a call to perfection; it was a call to transformation.

A Scandalous Invitation

In Matthew 9:9, we see this earth-shaking moment unfold:
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.”

This wasn’t just an invitation—it was a revolution of grace. Jesus didn’t wait for Matthew to fix himself, didn’t ask him to clean up his life first. He saw in Matthew a heart that could be transformed by the love of God. And that’s the beauty of Jesus’ calling—He doesn’t call the perfect; He qualifies the called.

The Humanity in Matthew

Matthew’s story resonates with us all. It reflects the human experience of imperfection, loneliness, and the deep hunger for meaning:

• Imperfection: Matthew was far from perfect, but his imperfections didn’t disqualify him from God’s call. In fact, they became the very means by which God’s grace could shine through.
• Longing for Acceptance: Matthew, despite his wealth, was likely consumed with loneliness and rejection. He had riches, but no real community, no lasting peace. How many of us have chased success, only to find it leaves us empty?
• Willingness to Change: When Jesus called, Matthew didn’t hesitate. He abandoned his material wealth for a higher calling—a life of eternal purpose. His surrender is a challenge for us all.
• Generosity: Matthew’s transformation wasn’t just internal. It spilled out into his life as he threw a banquet to introduce others to Jesus. When grace changes us, we can’t help but share it.
• Faithfulness: Matthew went on to write the Gospel that would impact millions. His obedience, rooted in a simple “yes” to Jesus, created a legacy far greater than any fortune he could have amassed.

Hope for the Rest of Us

So why did Jesus choose Matthew? Because Matthew is us. The rejected. The flawed. The ones who’ve made mistakes and feel like our past defines us. But Jesus sees what we can become, not just what we’ve been. And that’s the core message of Matthew’s story—grace reaches deeper than our past, our failures, and our shame.

In a world that demands we earn love, prove our worth, and hide our scars, Matthew’s life declares a radical truth: God doesn’t just love the cleaned-up version of you—He loves the real, broken, messy you. Jesus meets us where we are—not when we’ve figured it all out but at our lowest point, saying, “Follow Me.”

Takeaways from Matthew’s Story:

• God calls the unlikely to do the unimaginable.
• Your past may explain you, but it doesn’t define you.
• Surrender opens the door to transformation.
• There’s room at the table for everyone—even the outcasts.
• Once you encounter grace, you’ll want others to meet it too.

Matthew’s life is proof that grace changes everything. Following Jesus isn’t about having it all together—it’s about surrendering our imperfections and following Him into a new future.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the story of Matthew—a story that reminds us Your grace reaches into the darkest places and calls us by name. Forgive us for the times we’ve let shame, fear, or pride keep us from following You wholeheartedly. Help us to hear Your voice above the noise of condemnation and to respond with boldness like Matthew did. May we never forget that You see potential where the world sees failure. Give us the courage to leave behind anything that holds us back and the humility to invite others to the table of grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.