Text: Matthew 9:9-17
Matthew, like all tax collectors of the time, was hated by the Jews because of their renown practice of cheating in tax assessments, and open support to the Roman Empire. As Jesus passed, he called him and Matthew immediately followed Jesus Christ, leaving behind his lucrative job (v.9).
So, for Jesus to associate with someone who was constantly in physical contact with Gentiles, and hence considered ceremonially dirty, was an insult by the Jews.
Also there was confusion on the part of John’s disciples as they observed that Jesus’ disciples were not fasting (v.14). John’s disciples were fasting as a sign of mourning for sin, especially in the anticipation of the coming of the Messiah. The disciples of Jesus did not need to fast because the Messiah had come and was with them. His response to the disciples of Jesus, was intended to show that fasting should be done for the right reason. While John the Baptist’s message was focused on law, Jesus’ message focused on life as a result of receiving and believing in Him. The good start of John’s disciples needed to be completed in Jesus Christ. You need Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord.
Meditate on verse16. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Our Lord and Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray that You do not let me live in the old self You picked me from. Help me not to merely follow the rituals and ceremonies in Your church, but to truly embrace the new covenant of truth in Christ alone. Amen.