A Tale of Two Disciples
And Similarities Today
Then
Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that Jesus had a tax collector and a zealot in his circle of apostles? The Chosen1 did a pretty good job of highlighting the fact that these people didn’t get along. But have you really thought about it?
We’re not just talking about simple tension or animosity here. Zealots had a particularly intense hatred for tax collectors like Matthew—Jews who went to work for the occupying Roman government and became wealthy because of it.
While just about all of Jesus’ disciples didn’t like Rome (except, perhaps, for Matthew), Simon’s disdain went to another level. Zealots were intent on organizing to overthrow Roman control…violently if necessary. We might call them domestic terrorists today. So you can imagine how deep his hatred of people like Matthew must have been. I’m sure Matthew wasn’t particularly fond of the Zealots either.
There was a clear good side and bad side…depending on your point of view.
Do you think all those bitter feelings went away the moment they agreed to follow Jesus? As I read the New Testament, I see a group of 12 guys who slowly learned who Jesus was over time. Even after they had been with him a while they asked, “Who is this?” when he calmed the sea.2
It wasn’t until Peter’s declaration of Jesus’ lordship in Caesarea3 that we see they finally understood who Jesus was. Up until then, he was showing and teaching them about himself and the kingdom of God.
It’s also worth noting and safe to say that the other 10 apostles held an entirely different view. They may have had strong feelings about people like Matthew, and they surely didn’t like Rome, but would probably never take it as far as Simon did.
When Simon and Matthew heard Jesus declare in the Sermon on the Mount4 that they were to love their enemies, did they glance at each other? How far does the phrase “love your enemies” go? It was easy to love their neighbors—those people close to them who held to a similar ideology. But Simon and Matthew? They were polar opposites.
It’s more than reasonable to say that Simon and Matthew (and the rest of them) came to terms with one another and ended up friends, joined to a higher purpose. Simon laid down his sword; his passion changing from nationalism to the Gospel. Matthew laid aside is selfish ambition; his prior goal being self preservation and gain. History shows us the others joined with them to uphold the teachings and grace of the Lord Jesus.
Their lives were changed. Their passions and pursuits were changed.
This isn’t the story of two guys with opposing viewpoints that finally learned how to co-exist. This is a story of two guys who laid down their agenda for the greater calling of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What made the difference? They had been with Jesus.
Now
We’re not that much different than Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector.
It’s easy to hold onto personal agendas and ideologies instead of the simple gospel of Jesus. After all, it’s pushed on us all day long through news outlets and social media. It’s easy to see how it begins to consume our thoughts and conversations. It’s understandable!
If you are unsettled and anxious, remember that the Spirit brings peace and guides us into all truth. The character that the Holy Spirit is working in us to produce consists of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.5 Are you feeling that?
You may want to read through Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount and ask God to let that become you.
My challenge to us is to do all we can to replace all that with Jesus and the gospel. That like Simon and Matthew, we too would lay aside our personal agendas for the greater mission of the gospel and Christ’s mandate for us to be salt and light in the world. If we profess to believe, that is our primary calling above all else.
It would be good for us to ask ourselves what people experience when they spend time with us. So many people are filled with anxiety and conflict after recent events. Do they get more of that, or something different? Something better? We have an opportunity to bring peace and healing. To bring heaven to earth.
What makes the difference? Being with Jesus.
GRACE and PEACE to you.
The Chosen. Created by Dallas Jenkins, VidAngel Studios, 2017–present, The Chosenapp, https://watch.thechosen.tv