The Matthew Principle: Matthew 9:9-13
“9) As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. 10) Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. 11) When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” 12) But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 12) But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”” Matthew 9:9-13
We now have the call of Matthew. He was sitting in a tax office and as Jesus passed by He said to Him, “Follow Me.” With that simple invitation he rose up and followed Jesus.
The next verse paints the picture that Matthew invited Jesus into His home to meet his family, friends and acquaintances. Many tax-gathers and sinners were invited to a meal with Jesus and His disciples hosted by Matthew.
Herein we discover one of the ministry principles of Jesus. He viewed every person reached as an open door to an entire new group of people. Instead of cutting Matthew off from his family and fiends, Jesus welcomed the opportunity to meet and minister to his family and friends.
This concept was extremely dynamic. It opened the door to reach hundreds and thousands of new people. This helps explain the rapid spread of the gospel by the early church. They followed the example of Jesus and formed many home groups to minister to friends, relatives and acquaintances of those open to the gospel. (See Acts 2:46-47; 10:23-24)
Rapidly growing churches embrace this dynamic concept. They follow “the Matthew Principle” and grow by intensional multiplication. They design opportunities for new people to reach their family, friends and work associates.
Stagnant churches do just the opposite. They practice division and subtraction. When someone comes to Jesus they isolate and separate them from their family, friends and associates. The result could be called turtle growth. Instead of extending outward, they retreat inward into their shell.
When the Pharisees saw what was happening, they became jealous and critical of Jesus. They were the ultimate turtle society. They were a small and exclusive group of self-righteous critics. It’s amazes me how many churches become turtle gatherings.
Jesus sent the Pharisees a strong rebuke. “11) … He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 12) But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.””
In other words, Jesus was doing exactly what He intended on doing. He was launching “the Matthew Principle.” He was walking through many open doors for the glory of God. He was going to sinful, lost and hurting people with mercy and compassion and offering hope, forgiveness and a new life. He then did everything possible to make every new convert contagious! He started a movement that changed the course of human history.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
