Day Fifty-four

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
someone else, and not your own lips.” (Prov. 27:2)

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 27:2; Luke 5:27–32; Matthew 9:9–13

When I was a little girl, I adored Highlights, a popular children’s magazine. I particularly enjoyed one feature. In every issue two similar cartoon-style pictures appeared. The object of the activity was to discover every missing detail in the second picture. I experienced great satisfaction if I could pinpoint each detail without peeking at the answer. Let’s look at two Gospel accounts of Matthew’s call to be a disciple as if we’re looking at those activity pictures. First, search Luke’s version. Then compare it to Matthew’s version. List each detail missing in the second “picture.”

You may be more adept than I at this game, but I found two details in Luke’s Gospel missing in Matthew’s account. First Luke tells us Matthew got up, left everything, and followed Jesus. Matthew simply said he got up and followed. The fact that he “left everything” is highly significant. Imagine Christ issuing you the same invitation. What if your livelihood and your relationships were all at risk? Would you “leave everything”? Especially if your “everything” was substantial? Difficult question—yet Luke wanted us to know that’s exactly what Matthew did.

A second detail is missing in Matthew’s version. He told us Jesus was having dinner at his house. Luke elaborated: “Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house.” Matthew was a man of considerable wealth. His first reaction on behalf of his new Master was to begin using his resources to the glory of God. Quite impressive.

Interestingly, a third detail differs in the accounts of Matthew and Luke, but this time it appears in Matthew’s version and is missing from Luke’s. The detail is “mercy.” Matthew related a quote from Christ which Luke did not record: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Matt. 9:13).

Matthew knew himself better than Luke or any other human would ever know him. The tax collector was painfully aware of the mercy Christ extended to Him when He said, “Follow me.” Matthew immediately became an ambassador of mercy inviting those in need to meet the Divine Mercy-giver personally.

The comparison between Luke’s and Matthew’s versions of Matthew’s commission reveals a precious balance. Luke was rightfully impressed with Matthew and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit meticulously revealed the new convert’s character. Matthew, on the other hand, was impressed with Christ. He was far too aware of his own frailties to do anything but brag on God’s mercy. That’s how it should be. “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.”

Let’s give God freedom to develop in our lives a character impressive to others, but may we never move so far from mercy that we become impressed with ourselves.