Jesus Calls Matthew: Bible Story for Kids

Imagine you're walking along a busy road, just minding your own business. Suddenly, someone calls out your name. You turn around and see that it's Jesus! You'd probably be surprised, right? This is what happened to Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples. Let's find out more about this amazing story.

In the Bible, in the Gospel of Matthew (at the beginning of Chapter 9), we read about this fascinating event. Jesus was walking along the seaside when he saw Matthew, also known as Levi, sitting at his tax-collecting booth. Jesus didn't just pass by; he stopped, looked at Matthew, and said, "Follow me."

Who Was Matthew?

Matthew was a tax collector, a job that was not very popular among the Jews. The Romans had appointed tax collectors, and they often overcharged people to make money for themselves. So, Matthew was not seen as an honorable man by many.

However, despite his unpopular occupation, Matthew was a religious man who was aware of the teachings of the prophets. When Jesus called him, he didn't hesitate. He dropped everything, left his livelihood behind, and followed Jesus.

Matthew's Response

Matthew's immediate response to Jesus' call is a great example of faith and obedience. He didn't ask questions, didn't negotiate a deal, and didn't seek guarantees. Instead, he trusted and followed Jesus. This shows us that sometimes, we too should respond to God's call with actions, not just words.

Imagine if Matthew had said, "Well, Jesus, that sounds interesting, but let me finish my work today, and I'll come tomorrow." Or, "Can I at least close my business first?" But Matthew didn't. He chose to follow Jesus immediately, and that faith was rewarded.

Matthew's New Life

After Matthew followed Jesus, he became one of the Twelve Apostles. He went on to spread the gospel, or the good news, about Jesus. His own Gospel, the Gospel of Matthew, is one of the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible.

So, Matthew's life took a complete turnaround from the moment he decided to follow Jesus. And it all started with Jesus calling out to him as he sat at his booth. This story reminds us that God can call us anytime, anywhere, and our response can change our lives forever.

Jesus' Call to Us

Just like Jesus called Matthew, he also calls each one of us today. He calls us to follow him, to be his disciples, and to spread his message of hope, love, and redemption.

This call might not always come directly from Jesus, like it did for Matthew. But it can come through various ways - reading the Bible, through prayer, or even through a situations or circumstances that make us think about God's purpose for our lives.

Our Response

Matthew's story can inspire us to respond to God's call with the same faith and obedience. We might not have to leave our jobs or homes like Matthew did, but we should be ready to make changes in our lives to follow Jesus more closely.

Remember, following Jesus doesn't mean our lives will suddenly become perfect. But it does mean that we'll have a purpose, a direction, and most importantly, the presence of God in our lives. And that makes the journey worthwhile.

So, are you ready to answer Jesus' call? Just as Matthew did, choose to follow Jesus today. Your life might never be the same again, but it will certainly be better, filled with love, peace, and a sense of purpose.