Why jesus choose matthew?

It is very strange why God chooses people to do His work. Take Jacob for instance, the founder of the 12 tribes of Israel, who was a liar, cheat and still didn't learn in later life when he favoured Joseph above the rest of his sons! As for Matthew, Jesus still chose him although he was a despised tax collector and in cahoots with the Roman occupying forces. It comforts me personally to realise that such sinful people are called by God to do His work.

With regard to Matthew specifically, Jesus must have recognised qualities in him that were latent and needed someone who believed in Matthew to release them. In my own small way I have been in the same position; some pupils I used to teach when I was a head of science in a high school responded to belief in their latent talents rather than continual condemnation, despite their one-time behaviour problems. Matthew, being a tax collector, would lead Jesus to others - Zacchaeus, for one, and, as Jesus said, he came to make sinners repent and not for the 'respectable' people. We know that Matthew was unreservedly obedient to Jesus; so many would-be followers of Jesus would not leave their riches behind to follow him, but with a simple 'Follow me" from Jesus we are told that Matthew immediately got up, left everything (including his money, tax booth and belongings) and followed him never to return to that way of life. Matthew, as a tax collector was also trained (as were all tax collectors) by the Romans in an early form of shorthand. No wonder in Matthew's Gospel (almost cerainly written by Matthew the tax collector) we have recorded most of the sayings of Jesus - including the Sermon on the Mount. With his shorthand, it is very likely that Matthew wouild have taken down the teachings verbatim, so that we can now rely on a wod-for-word account in his gospel 2000 years later.

It is believed that Matthew finally went on to evangelise Ethiopia and much of Northern Africa, where is tomb is to this day.

First answer by JohnWelsh. Last edit by JohnWelsh. Contributor trust: 59 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question]