REVOLUTION
It’s been an issue that has rightly created huge anger in our nation, as short-term lending companies charge staggering rates of interest, exploiting those who already are struggling to make ends meet. As we look more closely at this meal, it’s important to reaffirm just how unlikely Levi/Matthew was, not only as someone to share a meal with, but to become a part of Jesus’ team. Levi owned a tax franchise, having done a deal with the Roman authorities, a step that meant that he was viewed as a traitor to the Jewish nation, one who profited from the national tragedy of Roman occupation. The taxmen could charge pretty much anything they liked, paying the government their share, and then skimming a tidy profit for themselves. And their power was immense, enabling them to stop any traveller and demand taxes and tolls from them. If they couldn’t pay, the tax official would become a short term lender, offering bridging finance at outrageous rates of interest - greed is nothing new! Jewish tax collectors were excommunicated from the synagogues, and disqualified from being witnesses in the law courts. But Levi was to become Matthew, one of the Twelve, and, according to tradition the writer of the first gospel - a witness to Christ.
In choosing Levi/Matthew, Jesus was sending a clear signal that absolutely everything is different in His kingdom, and that everyone can experience the revolution that we considered yesterday. Everyone.