October 17

Matthew 10
It’s interesting that as Matthew lists the twelve apostles he makes a point of identifying himself as a tax collector.  I don’t think this was meant to draw attention to himself.  Rather, it was to demonstrate that Jesus chose from the dregs of society those who would be representing Him.  Tax collectors have never been very popular, especially in that day and time, as most were corrupt.  I did my Matthew routine for a little while.  After leaving full-time ministry, I collected taxes for Tulare County.  Someone actually threatened my life during one collection!  At that time, I was reminded of a saying my mother would use: “The worse thing anyone can do is kill you.”  I always thought that was pretty bad.  However, Jesus offers the same word of advice in verse 28 of our reading: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”