Matthew's Life with Jesus

Hey what's up!!!! Matthew here but you can call me Levi! I am known as one of Jesus' disciples, who follows him around while he does his ministry. But before this, I was a tax collector in the town of Capernaum in Galilee! I record down what Jesus did based on his teachings and miracles he had done for the world. 

[mattheewmatt]

My thoughts as Matthew

This is the end of my life as a follower of Jesus! It all started when I was a tax collector and Jesus called me to become one of his disciples! I was so excited and grateful that I was able to witness Jesus while he was doing his ministry!

I have travelled on this spectacular journey with Jesus and his eleven disciples, and the twelveth disciple is me, Matthew. Before becoming a disciple of Jesus, I had been praising and giving thanks to God. But when I became a disciple, I got to learn even more of God’s word, directly from the Son of God, Jesus. From that day onwards, to this day, I have learned to acknowledge God’s word well, and I have written down the records which are now in the bible about these teachings and healings that he has done for the world. I have learnt so many things from him, but one thing that strikes me the most is: while praying, do not just ask God for your desires and needs, but appreciate and give thanks to him for what he has done for us. Thank you for washing away our sins that we have committed in the past. There’s this phrase that Jesus said, "Love your neighbour as yourself." This phrase means, for example, you and your neighbour. People may compare whose house is better-looking, or anything. But still, you shouldn’t compare yourself with others, but you should compare yourself with yourself, aiming to be a better person day by day. And with God’s word and help, you will become an outstanding person with a good personality. Always be faithful to God. Faithfulness is exceedingly significant when it comes to praying to God. After Jesus had done a miracle, big crowds would follow him wherever he went, and he would teach them God’s word. Remembering his teachings would really lead us to a better life, as God’s word is all about being a greater person in life.

But for real, becoming one of Jesus’ disciples is the best thing that has happened in my life!! I will always be grateful and remember that moment where Jesus asked me to be his disciple, and I have never regretted it ever since then.

Always give thanks to the Lord for what he has done, and I will forever keep God’s word in my heart my whole entire life, until I reunite with Jesus and His Father in heaven. Thank you, Jesus.

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[mattheewmatt]

The Last Supper

Now, the very first day of Unleavened Bread has arrived, and it is when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Then Jesus sent both Peter and John ahead and told them to go prepare the Passover meal so that we could all eat it together. Peter and John had no idea where Jesus wanted them to prepare the feast, so they asked Jesus where he wanted them to prepare it.

He replied, "As soon as you enter Jerusalem, there will be a man carrying a pitcher of water who will meet you. Then follow him. At the house he enters, say this to the owner, "The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat my Passover meal with all of my disciples?" He will then take you upstairs to a large, spacious room that he has already finished setting up. That is where you should prepare our meal. ’ Then they went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared our Passover meal there.

Then, in the evening, Jesus arrived with all the twelve of us. So we sat at the table and ate our scrumptious Passover meal together. Jesus said, 'I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you guys before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I will not eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. ’ As we were eating, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, one of you eating here with me here will soon betray me." Of course, everyone was greatly distressed, and each of us asked in turn, "Am I the one?" But after the meal, I was told that Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, was bribed by some priests with regard to betraying Jesus.  Jesus replied, "It is one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared a long time ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born! ’ I think while Judas was listening to Jesus, he probably felt nothing, as he thinks that money is way more important than being a disciple of Jesus.

Later, Jesus took some bread and blessed it, giving thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to each of us, saying, 'This is my body, which is given to you. Do this in remembrance of me. ’

After supper, he took another cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people, which is an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him? " And all of us were so confused! I was puzzled and surprised that someone who chose to follow Jesus as his disciple would actually betray the Messiah.......

'In this world, kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called "friends of the people." But among you, it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important? The one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But that does not apply here! I am among you as one who serves. You have stayed with me in my time of trial. And just as my Father has granted me a kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in the kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. '

We then sang a hymn together and went out to the Mount of Olives.

The Last Supper It was our last meal with Jesus before he was crucified and then resurrected three days later. I felt like Jesus was just amazing. We definitely enjoyed our Passover meal together. However, we had the thought of who would eventually betray Jesus, and it was Judas Iscariot.

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The Last Supper - Matthew 26:17-30 and Mark 14:12-26 and Luke 22:7-30

[mattheewmatt]

Discussion about Divorce and Marriage

After finishing the parable of the unforgiving debtor who insists on not forgiving the man although he has sincerely apologised, Jesus, the other disciples, and I left Capernaum, which is a town in Galilee, and went all the way down to the region of Judea, which is east of the Jordan River. While going there, large crowds of people followed him and us there. It was very crowded, but we continued walking. They were people asking him for his advice and teaching, and of course he taught them, as it was his custom. All of a sudden, some Pharisees came and tried to seek help from Jesus by asking him a question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce and leave his wife forever for just any ordinary, easy reason?" And Jesus straightaway replied to them by saying, "Did you guys not read the Scriptures?", telling them, "They record and note down that from the very beginning, God made them, which is us humans, both male and female, at the very beginning of creation." He then continued by saying, "This certainly explains and clarifies why a man would leave his parents, both father and mother, and join his wife, and the two are united into one." Since they are together, which is no longer two but one, they shall not split apart what God has joined together, which is the married couple. ’

The Pharisees got even more curious and continued asking questions of Jesus. They asked him inquisitively, "Then why in the world did Moses say that in the law regarding that a man could hand in his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away forever from the man?" I had a huge thought about this question which the Pharisees asked, as it sounded kind of true... However, Jesus replied to them, "Moses permitted and authorised divorce only as a concession, which is sort of a compromise to your hard solid hearts, but it was certainly not what God had originally intended." He told them that whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else has committed adultery, excluding if his wife has been unfaithful to him too. We talked about how it wouldn't be better if the treacherous husband and wife didn't marry each other, but instead married the partner they truly love.So Peter, John, the other disciples and I went and said to Jesus, if both sides of the husband and wife are unfaithful to each other, is it not better to not marry each other?

Then Jesus answered us, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given." For there are eunuchs who were born that way, as well as eunuchs who were made eunuchs by others.And there are also those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it. ’ Later, back at the house, the disciples and I asked Jesus about the discussion regarding divorce and marriage again. He told us that anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if the woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.

I discussed this with the other disciples later, and we all understood this better and knew that if one of the married partners divorces the other partner and marries another person, the married partner who wanted to divorce is guilty of adultery, which is to be stoned to death as a punishment, as the person has committed a huge sin.

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Discussion about Divorce and Marriage - Matthew 19: 1-11 and Mark 10:1

[mattheewmatt]

Teaching about Prayer

Today, Jesus was found praying in a certain place. The twelve of us were gathered together, discussing work while waiting for Jesus to finish praying and talking to his Heavenly Father. Once he finished praying to God, one of us went to Jesus and asked him to teach us to pray in the proper way, just as John taught his disciples. Without any hesitation, Jesus went on saying, "This is how you should pray properly: "Father, may your name be kept holy." May your kingdom arrive soon. Give us the food we need every day, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.And do not let us yield to temptation. ’

After Jesus finished saying this, I understood that we are not supposed to ask for our desires and wants from God by praying only, but we should also thank and appreciate him for all he has done for us, and pray to him for forgiveness of our sins that we have committed in the past. Then, Jesus continued teaching us more about prayer by using this story: "Suppose you went to a friend’s house in the middle of the night, intending to borrow three loaves of bread. You told him, "A friend of mine has just arrived for a short visit, and I have nothing for him to eat." And suppose he calls out this, directing it at you from his bedroom, "Do not bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. Unfortunately, I can’t help you. ’ But I am going to tell you this: although he will not do it for the sake of their friendship, if you keep knocking long enough all day long, he will eventually get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. ’

And so Jesus continued teaching, "And so here I am telling you this: keep on asking, and you will then receive what you have asked for." Do not stop searching until you find what you want and need. Keep on knocking, and the door will eventually open for you. And for everyone who asks, they will then receive. Everyone who seeks and pursues it will find it in the long run. For everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

"You fathers, if your children request from you a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! ’ Ya, obviously, I would give my child an egg if he or she asked for it instead of a scorpion. So Jesus continued, ‘So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father provide and give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.’

Jesus used this short story to relate to how God would act if we asked him whole-heartedly. However, after asking for both our needs and desires from God, it does not mean that we do not have to do anything about it and that our desires will just come freely to us the next day. Instead, we should do something about it, thinking about how to achieve it with the blessings of God.

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Teaching about prayer - Luke 11:1-13 

[mattheewmatt]

Teaching about Inner Purity

I just woke up reluctantly as I slept so late, busily finishing up my disciple work yesterday night! For today, Jesus told us to gather at our favourite spot to discuss and teach us an exceedingly significant topic: inner purity! This topic is extremely important in our lives! So I quickly got ready and set off to the venue, tired but willingly. It was a teaching held in public as some Pharisees and teachers of the religious law came to Jerusalem to visit Jesus. They questioned Jesus about why we disciples did not follow their age-old tradition of washing our hands before eating. And Jesus replied to them by asking why do you not follow and respect the direct commandments and orders of God, giving an example by saying, "Honour your father and mother," and continued by saying, "Anyone who addresses their parents disrespectfully and insolently shall be put to death." However, if you believe it is acceptable to treat your parents ungraciously and discourteously, who have raised you since the day you were born, Jesus will be unable to assist you because he has vowed to give to God whatever he would have given to you. Jesus continued, saying, "If it is like this, in this way, you say, people do not have to honour and obey their father and mother." Therefore, you have cancelled and revoked the word of God in order to satisfy your needs for the sake of your own tradition, " In my opinion, what Jesus said was very accurate because they had disobeyed God's word for the sake of their own culture.He then called them hypocrites anxiously and said that the prophecy of Isaiah about the Pharisees was right, for he prophesied:

"These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made commands from God. ’

This verse means that God’s people obey him by talking and praying to him, but inside their true hearts is something else, not Jesus himself. After this, Jesus called the entire crowd to come and hear his word. He said this loudly so that everyone could hear: "It is not what goes into your mouth that defiles and smears you; you are defiled by the words and phrases that come out of your mouth." The other disciples and I felt like Jesus had gone over the line, so we went and told him that he had offended the Pharisees by what he had just said to them. However, Jesus replied to us, "Every plant that is not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them." He continued by saying how these Pharisees are blind guides who are leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another one, they will both fall into a ditch together unknowingly. Then Peter asked Jesus to explain the parable that says people are not defiled by what they eat to the crowd. He finished it by saying, "Anything you consume goes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. Nevertheless, the words you speak come from your heart, and that is what most defiles you. For from the heart will come all of the evil thoughts like murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. This is what defies you. But eating with unwashed and unclean hands will never defile you. ’ After this, everyone went home with a new knowledge of God’s word kept in their hearts.

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Teaching of Inner Purity - Matthew 15:1-16

[mattheewmatt]

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, which was also known as the Sea of Tiberias. After the disciples and I finished our ministry tour, we returned to Jesus and told him all that we had done and taught the people. And a huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous singing as he healed the sick and blind. Then Jesus told us to go off to a quiet place and relax and rest for awhile, since there were going to be so many people coming and going that Jesus and us did not even have time to eat. Then Jesus and us climbed up a hill and settled down together, with us sitting around him, which was in the town of Bethsaida. But the crowd soon found out where we were going, and Jesus saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him, and he began teaching them many things and healing the sick, as Jesus had compassion on them because they were like sheets without a shepherd. And since it was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, he turned to Philip and asked him, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" He was testing Philip, as he already knew what Philip was going to do.

Philip then replied to him, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough sufficient money to feed them!" Later, Andrew, who was Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up and said, "I saw a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish." But what is good about that with this huge crowd? ’

Jesus then told us to tell the big crowd of everyone to sit down in groups. So the crowd sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred on the grassy slopes. It was estimated that the crowd consisted of 5,000 men alone. And Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, and looked up towards heaven and gave thanks to God, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves of bread into pieces, he kept giving the bread to us so that we could distribute and hand it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full enough, Jesus told us to gather the leftovers and so that nothing was wasted. So we picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scarps left by the people who had eaten the five barley loaves and fish. And a total of approximately 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all their families, including women and children.

When all the people saw Jesus do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been waiting and expecting!" And when Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to become their king, he slipped away into the hills himself. I think that this miraculous sign was to symbolise how Jesus prayed and gave thanks to God and asked for his desires, which was to use five loaves of bread and two fish to provide 5,000 people with their meal.

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Matthew 14:13-21 and Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-15

[mattheewmatt]

Jesus Heals in Response to Faith

After the healing of the demon-possessed man, we travelled back to the other side of the lake by boat. When we arrived on the other side of the lake, the crowds greeted Jesus warmly because they had been anticipating him.Then there was a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, who came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He was pleading with Jesus to come home with him because his only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was soon facing death. And Jairus said, "My one and only daughter has just died, but I know that you, the Messiah, can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her." Jesus then agreed and went with him, and so did we. While walking to Jairus’ house, we were surrounded by the crowds. Then one of the women in the crowd, who had suffered and endured for a whole period of twelve years with constant bleeding, said that she could not find any cure for this sickness, or maybe there wasn’t any cure for it. She had suffered and experienced a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten much worse. So she thought to herself, ‘If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.’ She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the woman could feel the bleeding in her body had stopped, and she had been healed of her terrible condition.

Obviously, Jesus realised at once that the healing power had gone out of him. He asked the crowd, "Who touched me?" And everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master, the whole entire crowd is pressing up against you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’" And this was before we knew that the woman who was healed by touching Jesus was suffering from a severe sickness. But Jesus said that someone had deliberately touched me, for he felt the healing power going out from him. So he kept on looking around to see who had done it. Then the fearfully frightened woman realised that she could not stay hidden, and she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of Jesus. And she told him what she had done, and the whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been instantly healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well." 'Your agony is over.'WOW!! Such an amazing miracle has been done! Praise the Lord! And while Jesus was still speaking to the woman, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, "Your daughter is dead. There is no use in troubling the teacher now. "  But Jesus overheard this, and said to Jairus, "Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed. ’

Then Jesus stopped the crowd and only let Peter, James, John, and the little girl’s father and mother go with him. So I waited with the other disciples in the crowd. And I got this information about what happened in the home of the synagogue leader from Peter. And when they arrived at Jairus’ home, Jesus saw much commotion, weeping and wailing. He went inside and asked, "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep. "

The crowd started laughing at him. What would it feel like? You’re talking about something true and factual, but instead people are laughing at it. So Jesus made all of them leave, and he took Jairus and his wife and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. Then Jesus took her hand and said loudly, "Talitha koum," which means "Little girl, get up!" And the twelve-year-old young girl immediately stood up and walked around! Everyone was overwhelmed and totally amazed by this miracle! And Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and told them to give the young girl something to eat.

This amazing miracle that Jesus has done makes me think that as long as you are faithful and loyal to Jesus, your desires and wants will be given! The meaning of faith means that you put your entire trust in someone or something, and that someone should be the one and only God in heaven, who is watching you and me all the time.

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Jesus Heals in Response to Faith - Luke 8:40-56, Matthew 9:18-23, Mark 5:21-43

[mattheewmatt]

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man

After the whole miraculous incident in the sea, we finally arrived on the other side of the lake with Jesus, in the region of the Gerasenes, in the evening. When Jesus climbed and came out of the boat, there was a strange man who had been possessed by an evil spirit who came out of the tombs to meet Jesus. This man had lived in the burial caves for some time, and he could no longer be restrained, even with a chain holding him. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles, and very often he was put into those to stop him, he would snap the chains from his wrists and smash the shackles off terribly. As a result, no one, and I mean no one, could subdue him except Jesus.So day after night, he wandered and drifted among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and shouting, cutting himself with sharp stones.

While Jesus was still a little further away, the demon-possessed man saw him and ran to meet him, bowed low before Jesus. With a shriek, he screamed and bawled loudly, "Why are you interfering and meddling with me, Jesus, who is the Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” I was also quite terrified as it was my first time encountering a demon-possessed man communicating with Jesus. And for Jesus, who had already said to the evil spirit to come out and leave the man alone. After that, Jesus demanded of the evil spirit, "What is your name?" And he then replied, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man." Legion meant many, approximately 3000 to 6000 of them in this man’s soul. Then, the evil spirits begged Jesus once again not to send them to some distant place, which meant hell, for they were not ready to suffer without bringing us humans down with them to suffer. And it happened that there was a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. The evil spirits begged Jesus to send them into those herds of pigs instead of sending them to hell. And so Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and soon entered the pigs, and the whole herd of about 2,000 pigs was plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water to death.

The herdsmen then fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside to spread the news of what happened just now as they ran along. People were rushing out to see what happened. Soon, a huge crowd gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. Surprisingly, he was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and the people were all terrified. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. Soon, the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone. So, we left the place and went to the boat.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged Jesus to go with him. However, Jesus replied to him, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything that the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been." So the man went off and started to visit the ten towns of that region, and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him, and everyone was amazed by what he had told them.

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Jesus heals a demon possessed man Mark 5:1-20,  Luke 8:26 

[mattheewmatt]

Teaching about money and possessions

It was after the parable of the rich fool that Jesus talked about to the crowd. We were there listening to His word, and it was amazingly spoken. After the crowd returned, Jesus went to us, his disciples, and spoke to us about money and possessions. He started by saying, "That is why I tell you not to worry and be concerned about your everyday life, whether you have enough sufficient food to eat, or whether you have enough clothes to wear daily." Everyone was listening and paying their full attention, and of course I did too, to the Messiah’s wise words. He then continued, "For life is more than food, and your body is so much more than clothing." He took an example from the ravens: "Look at the ravens. They neither plant nor harvest nor store or reserve food in barns, for God gives and feeds them food. And you are way more valuable and precious to him than any ordinary or extraordinary bird! Can all your worries and concerns multiply or add a single moment to your life? And if your concerns cannot accomplish or carry out a little thing like that, what is the use and purpose of making yourself worry over bigger things? ’ This sentence, which he had said, makes me think about this: should we stop worrying about things? Both small and big things? But why? And this was what Jesus said: "Look at the lilies and notice how they grow." They do not work or make their own clothing, yet Solomon, in all his glory, was not dressed as beautifully and attractively as they are. ’ I did not really understand this phrase, so I continued to listen, "And if God cares and worries so wonderfully for things like flowers that are here today and might be thrown into the fire the next day, he will certainly care for you." So why do you have such a small, limited amount of faith? ’

Yes, I agree with Jesus. Having said that God really cares about the small little things in life, like flowers, as Jesus used an example, how about us? Me and you. Of course, God would care for us too.

And Jesus continued, 'And do not be so concerned regarding what to eat and what to drink. It is very unnecessary to worry about such little things. These things have dominated and controlled the thoughts of all the unbelievers, who are basically non-christians all over the world. However, your Father, the Lord, already knew and prepared for your needs beforehand, before you existed in this universe, and even before you were going to exist. Seek the Kingdom of God above all and everyone else, and he will then give you everything you need and desire. '

'So do not be afraid or terrified, little flock. For it gives your Father in heaven great happiness and joy to give you the kingdom. ‘ He then proceeded, ‘Sell your possessions and instead give them to those who need them. This will store up treasure, especially for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe 24/7, and therefore, no thief can steal it, and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is kept, there the desires of your heart will also be. ’

Both money and possessions are exceedingly significant things when it comes to independent living in the outside world after you come out of the world where your parents and guardians support you emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially. However, if you have faith in God, God will support you too! Having God in your heart brings assurance to your life, and it helps you have more confidence in yourself!

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Teaching about Money and Possessions - Luke 12:22-34

[mattheewmatt]

I was called by the Messiah!

It was another ordinary day in the town of Capernaum, and my name is Matthew, but I’m also known as Levi, who is the son of Alphaeus! And I work as a tax collector, who collects taxes from everyone. As usual, I was sitting at my tax collector booth collecting taxes from the citizens. As a tax collector in the town, I wasn’t very likeable like other tax collectors, as we worked for the Romans to collect taxes from the Jews. And every time they see us, they are a little annoyed since they need to pay us. So on that very day, I noticed the Messiah, Jesus, was walking along the streets, suddenly coming towards me. Jesus asked me to follow him and be his disciple. But... why would Jesus call me to become his disciple of all people? I was badly hated by the Jews for collecting their taxes. So I asked Jesus, "Are you talking to me?" And Jesus said, "Yes, follow me and be my disciple." And so, without any hesitation, I immediately stood up and left everything at my booth. But the Roman soldiers who were guarding next to my booth asked me, "Are you sure, Levi? You’re leaving everything here just like that now and following him along???' I nodded and followed Jesus and his other disciples behind.

After that, I invited the Messiah and his other disciples to my place for dinner, along with many other tax collectors and disreputable sinners. When the Pharisees saw them, they asked Jesus' disciples, "How can Jesus, your teacher, eat with such scum?"That felt very hurtful and rude! And at that moment, I felt humiliated, thinking whether my friends and I had the right to have such a meal with righteous people like Jesus. Immediately, when Jesus heard them, he said clearly, "Healthy people do not need a doctor, only sick people do." He asked them to go and acknowledge the meaning and definition of this Scripture:

'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners. '

After hearing this line from Jesus, I instantly knew that Jesus is the real Messiah from God, who is the only son of God and has come down from heaven for us. Then Jesus added, 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners. ’ Jesus told them to go and learn the meaning of this scripture. And after hearing and comprehending the teacher's words, I knew instantly that I will and am a disciple of Jesus, and I will always be. I was very touched by Jesus as even though our roles in life may not be qualified to sit with roles as high as Jesus.

After the meal, I became an official disciple of Jesus. And from there, I started seeing him teaching, doing miraculous healings, praying, and others, and this is how the book of Matthew came about, as I recorded all these events that I had witnessed.

Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew) - Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:27-32

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