When Jesus came, the people of Israel where under authority of the Roman Empire, this empire had authority over anyone and all the institution of the country, businesses were owned and ruled by the romans. Some Jews had to work under this authority for protection, money and freedom, etc.

Matthew was one of the Jews who chose to work for the Romans, it's clear that other Jews could not love him. Matthews parents were not happy of him because he chose to use his talents to serve the oppressing authority to his people. Serving the oppressing authority, it is also obvious that Matthew could be used to oppress his own people. I feel how his heart was heavy and trouble, lonely and unhappy. There was no an exit. If He could leave, many things could happen. He could be prisoned, or run away from his people because he was not loved by other Jews. I can feel how hard it was for him, how hopeless he was. Matthew was in captivity, between his career and his people. There was no way he could develop his career, the Jews had no authority neither services that would require Matthew's talents, yet he had to abide in his people's customs and lifestyle.

When Jesus-Christ passed through the way of the tax collecting point, He called Matthew. Oh how surprise it was for Matthew. It was very surprising for him because no Jew liked him, no Jew would talk to him, every Jew was ashamed of him. Matthew asked Jesus-Christ called him by his name and the name of his father... more surprises to Matthew, can you imagine the rate Matthew's heart was beating? I feel it.

Matthew responded to the Master's call, but the security guard who as protecting him and the tax collecting point tried to stop him and say you will regret it, no Jew has favors than you. Matthew did not look back, he found the way out, he found the call that restored his identity as a Jew. I can imagine how it was hard for other Jews who were following Jesus to feel safe and proud of Matthew the oppressor's servant. We all believe that Jesus called Matthew just only to join the team and become an apostle but Jesus healed Matthew's broken heart, restored Matthew's identity, Reintegrated Matthew into the family. God might have doing things to respond the secret prayers deep down there in your heart, those small words you even don't consider as a prayer. I focus so much on the previous life of Matthew to the point when Jesus called him. Only Matthew and Jesus knew what happens at that time.

Thank you Jesus for knowing the troubles and the pain that was in Matthew's heart, you heard and saw how desperate he was, he could not believe that there is a Jew who can call him, there was no help out. Same as to Zacchaeus, Nathanael praying under a tree. I and this friend reading this, have at some point things we cannot solve ourselves, the things we cannot even know how to express them. Deep in our heart you can see, and you can heal, restore and give us life in full.

Get in touch and let's pray together.