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SearchTo Matthew – All Men Are Equal
When Jesus had finished speaking to Simon Zelotes, he stepped over to Matthew Levi and said:
"No longer will it devolve upon you to provide for the treasury of the apostolic group. Soon, very
soon, you will all be scattered; you will not be permitted to enjoy the comforting and sustaining
association of even one of your brethren. As you go onward preaching this gospel of the
kingdom, you will have to find for yourselves new associates. I have sent you forth two and two
during the times of your training, but now that I am leaving you, after you have recovered from
the shock, you will go out alone, and to the ends of the earth, proclaiming this good news: That
faith-quickened mortals are the sons of God."
Then spoke Matthew: "But, Master, who will send us, and how shall we know where to go? Will
Andrew show us the way?" And Jesus answered: "No, Levi, Andrew will no longer direct you in
the proclamation of the gospel. He will, indeed, continue as your friend and counselor until that
day whereon the new teacher comes, and then shall the Spirit of Truth lead each of you abroad to
labor for the extension of the kingdom. Many changes have come over you since that day at the
customhouse when you first set out to follow me; but many more must come before you will be
able to see the vision of a brotherhood in which gentile sits alongside Jew in fraternal
association. But go on with your urge to win your Jewish brethren until you are fully satisfied
and then turn with power to the gentiles. One thing you may be certain of, Levi: You have won
the confidence and affection of your brethren; they all love you." (And all ten of them signified
their acquiescence in the Master's words.)
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"Levi, I know much about your anxieties, sacrifices, and labors to keep the treasury replenished
which your brethren do not know, and I am rejoiced that, though he who carried the bag is
absent, the publican ambassador is here at my farewell gathering with the messengers of the
kingdom. I pray that you may discern the meaning of my teaching with the eyes of the spirit.
And when the new teacher comes into your heart, follow on as he will lead you and let your
brethren see--even all the world--what the Father can do for a hated tax-gatherer who dared to
follow the Son of Man and to believe the gospel of the kingdom. Even from the first, Levi, I
loved you as I did these other Galileans. Knowing then so well that neither the Father nor the
Son has respect of persons, see to it that you make no such distinctions among those who become
believers in the gospel through your ministry. And so, Matthew, dedicate your whole future life
service to showing all men that God is no respecter of persons; that, in the sight of God and in
the fellowship of the kingdom, all men are equal, all believers are the sons of God."