Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional 21 September 2021 Tuesday Message
Topic: Saint Mathew The Apostle
TEXT: Matthew 9:1 -31(NKJV
STUDY: Matthew was a Jew who worked for the occupying Roman forces, collecting taxes from other Jews. The Romans were not scrupulous about what the “tax farmers” got for themselves. Hence, the latter, known as “publicans,” were generally hated as traitors by their fellow Jews. So it was shocking to them to hear Jesus call such a man to be one of his intimate followers. The Pharisees asked: What business did the supposedly great teacher have associating with such immoral people? Jesus’ answer was, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.”
Matthew’s call reminds that we need to prayerfully discern and identify our talents and gifts. Jesus recognised the talents that were present in Matthew that others could not discern. Seeing Matthew in the role of customs officer/tax collector, no one recognised his potential for service to the early church. But Jesus did.
More so, all the events in the passage seem to be to the advantage of those called the Gentiles, signifying that God God accepts all. Of course, Jesus loves and died for all! We need to ask God in prayer for the grace to recognise talents and potentials for an openness that does not prejudge people.
PRAYER: Lord, grant the grace to recognise talents and potentials in me and in others. Help me to put them to use especially as it concerns the winning of souls for Your kingdom.Amen.
Daily Fountain Quote of the Day
“… if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you have heard …” (Colossians 1:23)
Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional 21 September 2021 Message. The Church of Nigeria is the Anglican church in Nigeria. It is the second-largest province in the Anglican Communion, as measured by baptized membership, after the Church of England.
