It was not long after Matthew was called by Jesus to be his disciple that he invited many of his friends over for a banquet. Matthew 9:10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” [1]
Matthew was putting his faith into action by giving his friends access to Jesus. These were people society considered deplorables, but they were eager to meet Jesus. How many people in this group came to faith and had their lives changed because one man invited them to meet Jesus? This takes place soon after Matthew was called yet being a brand new follower of Jesus didn’t stop him from showing others the Jesus he knew. He didn’t wait until after he had been with Jesus for three years, he started immediately.
Sometimes in our modern thinking we believe we have to have some kind of special training before we can share the good news of Jesus. Although there is nothing wrong with training, we can’t let that be an excuse why we are not sharing the good news.
I remember several years ago when a little girl in first grade wanted to share Jesus with another little girl that lived near her house. So, she invited her to vacation Bible school like Matthew invited friends to meet Jesus. The little girl’s friend did not know anything about Jesus, but she came. In time, this little girl became a believer in Jesus and so did her mother. This all happened because one child was excited to share Jesus with a friend.
There are many different ways we can share the message of Jesus with others. Most people join a church today because someone invited them. As we develop relationships with others, it gives us an opportunity to share the message of Jesus with them. You may simply tell others about Jesus as you tell them how that has changed your life.
One of my friends came to faith as an older adult and the Lord has given him a zeal to share Jesus with others. He knew what it was like to go through life without Jesus, and he did not want anyone He knew to experience that same thing. Who is the Lord prompting you to share the message of Jesus with? Think, you could be the person the Lord uses to change their life now and in eternity.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the words and the courage to share your wonderful message of salvation. Help me, Lord, to hear Your still small voice as your prompt me to share with the right person. I thank you, Lord, that you can use a simple person like myself to reach another person with the saving message of salvation.
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To hear more about the call of Matthew, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-call-matthew
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 9:10–11). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.