By Chad Hershberger

This post is part of our Leadership of the Disciples series. 

You may know Matthew as Levi, the son of Alphaeus of Capernaum. He was a tax collector and the writer of the first book of the New Testament. Just like how we view that occupation today, it was not glamourous in biblical times, either. Matthew invited Jesus over to dine with him and his corrupt friends as is recorded in Matthew 9. He was also present at another important meal- the Last Supper.

Following Jesus’s ascension, stories suggest that Matthew ministered to Persia, Macedonia, Syria, Parthia, Media, and Ethiopia bringing the good news to kings. He suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound.

If we look at his name, it derives from Hebrew meaning “gift of God.” Here is this unlikely character who becomes part of Jesus’ ragtag inner circle. Yet, God had a plan for him to be a disciple and spread the gospel in places that needed to hear it. He could have said, “No way!” But he listened to Jesus’ call to follow a new way.

The lesson we can learn from him is to surrender our human will to the will of God. What might God be calling you to do, to lead, or to change? So often as leaders, we may get stuck in the status quo and need to shake things up for our followers. Jesus did that to Matthew and then Matthew did that as a disciple. What kind of example could Matthew be for us today?

I know in my ministry setting I often need to push people to do something new or redirect them where I think we need to be. It may be hard, but surrendering to God’s will, listening to the call, and going into new areas may just be what you need to do. Matthew would probably say it can turn out to be a good thing!