Matthew
was a tax collector. Can you imagine how poorly received he was to the people
he was trying to convert? He may have cheated these people out of their money
or he may have lied to them about what they owed. Now he wants to bring them to
Christ! Paul was guilty of putting Christians in prison. He held the coats of
those who stoned Stephen. After Paul was baptized, he came back to Jerusalem
and could have taught in the church there, but the people were afraid of him.
Why did Jesus want these guys to spread the gospel? Because Jesus is in the
forgiving business. He loves us all and wants us to come to Him. After we come
to Him, He wants to use us. We must be willing to accept those who come to
Christ and to encourage them to also use their talents in the service for the
LORD.
Prayer
Requests: ____________________________________________________________