👤 The Biblical Person of the Day
🪙 Matthew — from Tax Collector to Evangelist
📌 Profile
- Name: Matthew (also called Levi)
- Time of birth: approx. 1st century B.C.
- Place of birth: Capernaum or the surrounding area
- Time of death: unknown
- Age: unknown
- Occupation: tax collector, later disciple and evangelist
📖 Short Story
Matthew first worked as a tax collector. In his time, this profession was unpopular because many tax collectors cooperated with the Roman occupiers and were often considered dishonest.
Because of this, Matthew was not a role model for many people. Rather, he belonged to those who were avoided by others or viewed critically.
But his life changed when Jesus met him. With a simple call, Jesus invited him to follow Him.
Matthew faced an important decision. He could hold on to his former life or begin a new path.
He decided to follow Jesus and left his former work behind.
Over time, Matthew became one of the twelve disciples. He listened to Jesus’ teachings, witnessed His miracles, and accompanied Him on many journeys.
Later, Matthew became known as the author of a Gospel. His story shows that people can change and that a new beginning is possible.
🔥 The Decisive Moment
Jesus calls Matthew to follow Him, and he leaves his former life behind.
✨ 7 Special Things About Matthew
- He was originally a tax collector
- He worked for the Roman administration
- He was personally called by Jesus
- He belonged to the twelve disciples
- He experienced Jesus’ ministry up close
- He wrote the Gospel of Matthew
- He became an important witness of faith
⚖️ Strengths & Weaknesses
✔ willing to learn
✔ willing to change
✔ faithful
✔ attentive
❌ had a bad reputation in society
❌ had to leave his past behind
❗ The Mistake That Shaped Him
As a tax collector, Matthew belonged to a profession that was often associated with injustice.
➡️ However, his encounter with Jesus led to a fundamental transformation of his life.
📜 Key Verse
“Follow Me!” (Matthew 9:9)
🧠 The Life Lesson
A new beginning is possible, regardless of the past.
🎯 Application for Today
No one is defined by their mistakes or by the path they have walked so far.
❓ Question for You
Which area of your life could use a new beginning?
📌 Context
Matthew lived during the time of Jesus and belonged to His closest circle of disciples.
🔗 Connection
Matthew was one of the twelve apostles and the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
Conclusion:
Matthew shows that people can change and that a new path often begins with a decision.
See you tomorrow with the next biblical person! 📖
✨ The Life Story ✨
✨ The Life Story of Matthew — A New Beginning at the Tax Booth ✨
🌄 A Man with a Bad Reputation
Matthew worked as a tax collector. His task was to collect taxes and duties for the Roman occupying power.
In the eyes of many people, this was not a respected profession. Tax collectors were often considered dishonest and were avoided by many.
Matthew therefore lived in a position that could bring financial success, but gave him little recognition.
🏛️ Daily Life at the Tax Booth
Day after day, Matthew sat at his workplace and carried out his duties. He had probably grown used to the prejudice and rejection of many people.
Outwardly, his life seemed orderly. But no one suspected that everything would soon change.
A single encounter would determine the rest of his life.
✝️ The Encounter with Jesus
One day, Jesus passed by his tax booth. Instead of avoiding Matthew or condemning him, He spoke to him directly.
His call was short and clear: “Follow Me!”
That moment placed Matthew before a decision that would change his whole life.
🚶 The Courageous Step
Matthew decided to follow Jesus. He left his former work behind and began a completely new path.
This decision meant giving up security and stepping into the unknown.
But Matthew was ready to take that step.
👥 A Life as a Disciple
From then on, Matthew belonged to the closest circle of disciples. He heard Jesus’ teachings, witnessed miracles, and saw how people were changed.
He learned not only new teachings, but also a new way of seeing God and people.
His own life was changed step by step.
📖 A Gospel for Future Generations
After his time with Jesus, Matthew became an important witness of the events. He recorded many things in writing and wrote the Gospel that bears his name.
Through this, later generations too could learn about the words and deeds of Jesus.
His influence reached far beyond his own life.
✨ The Lasting Message of His Life
Matthew shows that people are not defined by their past. His story makes clear that change becomes possible when people are willing to walk new paths.
It reminds us that a single step in a new direction can change an entire life.
🌌 Final Thought
Matthew began as a tax collector with a bad reputation and later became one of Jesus’ best-known disciples.
His life was fundamentally changed by an encounter and a decision.
👉 His life story shows: A new beginning is possible, even when other people have already judged you.
