Lesson Three: The Zealot and the Tax Collector
3.1 There are four books in the Bible that tell us about Jesus' life and ministry. They are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These four books are known as the Gospels.
3.2 Jesus chose twelve men to be his disciples (learners). Afterwards He sent them out as apostles (sent ones), to spread the Good News.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: First, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother; Phillip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Matthew 10:2-4
Notice that Matthew was one of the twelve apostles. Some people say he wrote the Gospel of Matthew. Others don't think so. They think somebody else by the name of Matthew wrote the Gospel of Matthew.
3.3 Before he became one of Jesus' disciples, Matthew was a tax collector.
3.4 Simon the Canaanite was also known as Simon the Zealot. (see Luke 6:15)
3.5 Before becoming the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector would have been bitter enemies.
3.6 But when Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector met Jesus and began to walk with Him, they became friends. They worked together, and ate together. The Bible does not record any kind of argument or fight between them. The love of Christ brought them together. Just as Matthew left his tax collector's table, so Simon left his old ways of violence. The two men became brothers in Christ.
3.7 The kingdom of the Roman Empire was established by warfare and violence. The Romans kept the peace by force and brutality. But Jesus preached the "Kingdom of Heaven." The Kingdom of Heaven is built by love, not hatred and fighting. This was a new idea in Jesus' day.
3.8 Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector were united in love as a result of knowing Jesus. This is a great lesson for us today. What comes first? Our church or our denomination? Our ideas? Our political party? Or Christ and His kingdom?