Many people were confused in Jesus’ presence, impressed with his power, and convicted by their conscience. The cheating tax collector called Levi was also hit in his innermost being by the word of Christ. He had been deceived by his thought, but now he is willing to become free from his sin. He believed in the word of Jesus and the remission of his sins, and was deeply attracted to the Savior, but his profession and its bad reputation kept him away from the Righteous One, for the tax collectors who were employed by the occupying authority were considered as unclean, criminal bloodsuckers, and were officially rejected and disrespected by the nation.
Yet, Christ knows the thoughts in the hearts of people. He saw how the heart of Levi, the tax collector, was opened completely to the good news of the gospel. Jesus went forth and saw him. He commanded him using only two words, "Follow me". When God speaks, he makes something new. This command made out of the sinful Levi, the apostle and evangelist Matthew who compiled the historical sayings and events of Jesus, for he mastered several languages, and wrote the origin of the gospels in Aramaic under supervision of the other apostles; then he translated it into Greek. Christ took him out of the factory of sins into the freedom of the Lord. Did you hear the voice of Jesus, or are you still a slave of money and of earthly aims? Do you follow Christ with an undivided heart? Get up and follow the Savior of the world, and you will become a tree of grace full of fruits, as Matthew became a reason for salvation of many.
He, who was called, left his money, records, and office all at once, for he realized that the Son of God had called him. When Christ passed by him, he took hold of his divine gown, and considered everything else in the world as foul and rubbish. Matthew invited the Highest to his house, and made him a great feast. He immediately unveiled his apostolic spirit, and invited all his friends so that Christ might enter into their hard hearts. In fact many of those disqualified and contemptible came wondering at the great honor conferred on them by the man of God.
The professors and lawyers hated Jesus, because he broke the good custom, and dealt with tax collectors, agents of the Romans, whom he openly accepted, and dined with them in a great banquet. The fanatic and the experts in the law set a trap for Christ to discover the motives and aims of his work. They were blind to Jesus’ mercy, and not prepared to see their hard hearts. Yet, Jesus stabbed their pride, and unveiled their hypocrisy through their own statement, which they used to quote in support of their arguments, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." The tax collectors were, in fact, sick in spirit and in soul, and in need of the Savior and his power, without realizing that. However it is a fault not to speak with the corrupt, for they are in urgent need of salvation, deliverance, and instruction.
Jesus also uncovered the hypocrisy of the professors who thought that they had no need of forgiveness or the Savior, for they saw in themselves righteousness and truthfulness of instruction, as well as uprightness of behavior. Woe to the proud righteous, and those that are self-complacent, for they neither know God, nor fear him. None is righteous in from of God. They have all turned aside. They have together become corrupt. There is none who does a good or righteous work. This is the most terrible self-deceit. Study God’s holiness and love so that you may know your own state. You are sinful and guilty. The more you get near to the glory of God, the more you discover your evil heart and disqualified mind. Confess your abominable works before Christ. Give testimony of all your evil deeds: stealing, lying, impurity, and haughtiness, and of every moment in which you caused damage to anyone, so that you may know your need of the salvation of Christ, crying, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies, do not cast me off. Then, you will realize Christ’s love and merciful kindness, and experience how he cleanses your subconscious, and gives you peace and divine righteousness.
However, if you go too far in thinking yourself righteous and acceptable because of your prayers, sacrifices, and fasting, you will be cheating your self. You will not be justified in your conscience, and you will not enter into heaven, for God only accepts the purified repentant, and the sinner who is justified and saved by the blood of Christ, and made perfect through his intercession. Listen please, my dear brother: Christ has come. He is present, and prepared to save practically. He will truly redeem you, if you become broken before him, and confess all your corruption. Do not hesitate! Come on and uncover the thoughts within you before him. Have recourse to his mercy.