Worship - 21 September 2025

Summary of this week's theme

Nobody likes a tax collector. Well, that’s not completely true - churches can be quite happy to welcome a former one as treasurer! But in Jesus’ day, tax collectors like Matthew were despised as traitors and cheats, working for the Romans and quite often enriching themselves through commissions. Jesus chose Matthew, showing that God’s kingdom welcomes the outcast and the unwanted.

That’s one reason we celebrate Matthew: his calling reminds us that discipleship isn’t reserved for the respectable. Jesus’ followers were diverse, not conforming to some human standard. His choice of Matthew challenges us to reject narrow, exclusive visions of the Church and instead embrace the breadth of God’s love.

Matthew’s story also highlights a shift from financial economy to an economy of relationships. Leaving his tax booth, he gave up material security but found life’s true wealth in relationship with Jesus. His written gospel reflects that abundance. Structured like a ‘Pentateuch of Christ,’ it roots Jesus firmly in Jewish tradition while presenting him as the fulfilment of God’s promises. Likely written in Antioch around 75-80 CE for a Jewish-Christian community, Matthew’s gospel collected and retold the stories of Jesus - keeping alive the presence of a friend who was not only crucified but risen.

Yet storytelling was not just memory; it was proclamation. Matthew wrote to strengthen weary disciples, to give hope in hardship, and to challenge the complacent. The gospel uplifts the downtrodden, promotes compassion, and insists on love of neighbour - especially the neighbour whom we would rather exclude. That’s why it remains subversive, uncomfortable - and powerful.

As the Apostle Paul said, the gospel can be veiled to those who prefer comfort and prejudice. But Matthew’s example calls us beyond that. He left security to follow Jesus down the hard road, then devoted himself to passing on the story so future generations could draw strength. His gospel is not only good news but also a summons - to faithfulness, compassion, and courage.

So today we give thanks for Matthew: once an undesirable, yet called and transformed; a storyteller who connected Jesus’ ministry to the depth of Jewish heritage while making it accessible to the wider world; a disciple who exchanged material wealth for the riches of God’s kingdom. May his example remind us that even those we least expect may become bearers of good news - and perhaps even a future church treasurer!