I was very rich. As a tax collector for the Romans, I had enough money on me daily. Yes, dear reader, corruption is as old as Methuselah! For my collaboration with the Romans, my own people hated me to death! But, I had little choice, for the money was good and I couldn’t starve either.
For more than 400 years, Israel had had no prophet, and the nation yearned for a national deliverer, who will free them from the heavy taxes and oppressive rule of the Romans. Suddenly, a strange voice was heard in the Wilderness, calling people to repentance. The interests and expectations of the nation were kindled: “Could this be the Messiah?” Many run to the Wilderness to hear him and be baptized of him.
Within a year of the Baptist’s ministry, another Rabbi from Galilee appeared, also teaching and doing great miracles! He wandered from town to town preaching and drawing many crowds. It was rumored, that he loved sinners and tax collectors. And today, he is in my town. Suddenly, I see him and his crowd approaching me. I yearned to catch a glimpse of Him. Then, he stopped by my table! My heart skipped a beat! I shook like a leaf, for I felt great fear and guilt before His holy presence. Shall He expose (me of) my sins? No, no… He called me by name, Levi-Matthew, “Follow me”. I couldn’t resist His call, I immediately left all, including the money I had collected that day, my family, and wealth behind and became His disciple!
Not only I, but all His followers also left behind their world and life and became his disciples! We gave our all, for He gave us His all. We went out as missionaries to the whole world, preaching about Him and breaking down barriers of error, idolatry, superstition, and sin. Many men and women sacrificed their lives to bring God’s message to pagans in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. They braved hunger, poverty, threats, and even death…
Sadly, there are no more missionaries for God today. There aren’t people who are willing to sacrifice and leave their all for Him as we did. Most disciples today are only so in name. They come to Christ for fame or wealth, not for sacrifice and ministry. We did miracles for free, but “fake pastors” today do God’s work for a fee!!
Dear reader, God is calling for true and faithful disciples and missionaries today. People who will follow Him as did Levi-Matthew, leave their all and march through darkness to deliver souls for Christ. Will you heed the call? Christ calls thee today: “Follow me”.
