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As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever been stuck with a nickname or remembered for something embarrassing? Maybe you were the kid who spilled milk in the lunchroom, forgot your lines in a program, or got in trouble at school. Sometimes people remember our mistakes for a long time.

That’s kind of what happened to Matthew. Before Matthew followed Jesus, he was a tax collector. That meant he collected money for the Roman government. Most Jewish people did not like tax collectors at all. They thought tax collectors were greedy, unfair, and friends with the enemy. Some tax collectors even cheated people and kept extra money for themselves.

So most people probably stayed away from Matthew. They may have whispered about him or pointed at him when he walked by. But then Jesus did something amazing. Jesus walked right up to Matthew and said, “Follow me.” Can you imagine how shocked the crowd must have been? “Wait . . . Jesus wants HIM to follow?”

But Jesus saw more than Matthew’s old job or past mistakes. Jesus saw someone he loved. Jesus forgave Matthew and gave him a new life. Matthew became one of Jesus’ disciples and even wrote one of the books of the Bible!

Did you know that Jesus does the same for you? That might sound silly, you’re not a tax collector. But you aren’t always perfect either. We can be selfish, rude, grumpy, lazy, or mean. Maybe there are times when people remember us for bad choices we made. But Jesus doesn’t only see your mistakes. Jesus says to you too, “Follow me.”

Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven. You are not just “the kid who messed up.” That’s what you used to be—You are God’s child. Jesus makes you a new creation and helps you grow to live for him every day.

And just like Matthew, you get to tell other people about Jesus too!

Dear Jesus, thank you for calling me to follow you and making me your new creation. Give me the strength to live according to this new life you’ve given me. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

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