J. Randal Matheny

What did the Lord see when he looked at Matthew? Perhaps He saw a man who was willing to pay the price. Paying the price is always easier to say in concept than live by experience. Yet it is one of those philosophies of life that one must be sure to understand (Matthew 16:21-26). Shortly after I arrived on Guam (1984) I struck up a friendship with another fellow. It was not long before he and I had our differences. Those differences were magnified by him in his criticisms of me. Did he see a lamp hanging down from my wagon that he criticized me or did I put that light out? This is a challenge that each of us have. Will we see the Lord’s light or will we not? We all have to pay a price when we place a higher value on something than we previously did. I placed a higher value on the Lord and the price I paid, though not as great as many, was still a price paid. When the Lord’s teachings reside in the heart of a person there is bound to be a life changed. It is said that when a woman resides in the heart of a man he does funny things. Well, when the Lord resides in the heart of a person that person does not do funny things, but he (she) does righteous things.

Ron Thomas reflects on what the Lord saw in Matthew. A man willing to give it all up for the call.

The tenth day of the seventh month of Israel’s calendar marked a day unlike any other (see Leviticus 16).  To the spiritually minded in Israel it was a day to be prepared for and longed for.  It was a day of approach to God; indeed more closely than any other day of the year.  It was the day the high priest and his family, the tabernacle itself, and the congregation were cleansed.  It was the day that the high priest made atonement for the people of Israel.  It was a day of great danger for the high priest, entering, as he did, into the holy of holies.  It was a rite full of meaning for the children of Israel.  It spoke of God’s desire to commune with His people. It spoke of God’s mercy and grace in making a way for Israel to approach God.  It has great meaning for Christians as we consider that which is equivalent to the Day of Atonement in the New Covenant.

Eddie has a good description of what was involved for the Jews on the Day of Atonement. Ought to make us appreciate even more the sacrifice of Christ. Click on the link above for his whole article.