Jesus' Strange Choice

Matthew the Tax Collector and Simon the Zealot

Matthew and Simon – what a strange choice Jesus made.

Matthew, not only aligned with the occupying Roman “establishment”, but also a tax collector – a job known (at the time) for its dishonesty; the idea was to “Give Rome what it requires but make sure you keep plenty for yourself” (Luke 19:1 – 10).

And what of Simon? Zealots were intent on the overthrow of not only the Roman occupying force, but they were also keen in exacting retribution on corrupt Jewish civil and religious leaders. A tax collector was fair game for a Zealot.

Before Jesus called Matthew and Simon, all that separated them was the edge of an assassin’s knife. These two religious, political, cultural, and economic enemies would learn to be united as brothers in Jesus Christ; they would bury the knife of separation and be united in the Cross.

Perhaps Peter and James and John thought Jesus was nuts to call both Simon and Matthew. Perhaps they thought Jesus was inviting division into His small group of followers. Perhaps they thought Jesus lacked common sense.

Perhaps Satan thought that Jesus just made a huge mistake and that he, Satan, would be able to use the prejudices and biases of Simon and Matthew against each other to create division and confusion with the disciples.

Well…the Christ of the Cross and the Cross of Christ united Matthew and Simon. They exchanged their political, cultural, economic, and religious identities for Jesus Christ and His Cross.

What is our identity? Who is our identity? How do our words and decisions provide the answer to these questions? If we were placed on trial accused as men and women whose identity is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ would there be overwhelming evidence to convict us?