Underline the correct answer
a. Thomas
b. Matthew
c. James
Do you know what Matthew means?
It’s the name Jesus gave one of His disciples, who was also known as Levi.
It means «gift of God.”
Levi Matthew was a Jew who had become a publican, another name for a tax collector. He lived in the city of Capernaum. Do you know what publicans did?
They collected taxes for the Roman Empire, which had conquered Israel.
They worked in a certain place where they collected taxes for Rome.
Their job was unpleasant because they had to collect taxes from their own people, the Jews, they collected one tax for belonging to Rome and another one for the properties they owned.
That made the Jews mad because they believed that what they owned belonged to God, not Rome and it was unfair for them to have to pay their invaders.
Jews didn’t like tax collectors; they tried to avoid being near them and looked down on them.
That’s why it was strange to see a tax collector at the temple: they didn’t dare go inside.
Nobody wanted to be friends with a tax collector or be seen talking with one of them, because they would be considered friends of Rome and traitors of Israel.
Many tax collectors even charged people more than they should have and kept the money, so they were also considered thieves.
Nevertheless, Jesus called Matthew to be His disciple and even went to his house together with his tax collector friends.
Jesus mingled with those that everyone hated. Do you know why? Because they were the ones who most needed His love and to be saved.
Matthew didn’t hesitate to follow Jesus and stop being a rich, wets-to-do tax collector.
What would you have done? In your Prayer Journal, ask Jesus to help you see people’s hearts like Jesus did and not only their outward appearance.
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Daily Devotions for Junior 2021
“LET’S PLAY!”
By: RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ MERCADO
Collaborators:Landon Vera
