He may or may not have been the author of the Gospel of Matthew, but whomever the author may have been, he was a lover of his Jewish tradition and deeply immersed in its scriptures. Not unlike the reformed tax collector the Apostle Matthew was reputed to be. And like almost all the other early followers of Jesus, he bravely shared the faith until it provoked his untimely death.
Early church fathers say that Matthew preached the gospel to the Jewish community in Judea, before going to other countries. Including Ethiopia, where he converted and then consecrated to God Ephigenia of Ethiopia, the virgin daughter of King Egippus. King Hirtacus who succeeded him asked the apostle if he could persuade Ephigenia to marry him. Matthew rebuked him for lusting after the girl, as she was a nun. The enraged King then ordered his bodyguard to kill Matthew, making him a martyr.
Once upon a time, a generation of children were raised on stories of such religious heroism, often with morbid attention to the fatal consequences. But before his death, Matthew lived a brave and faithful life, willingly leaving his position and his wealth to follow the One who promised him nothing but God’s grace. This is a heroism that we can all aspire to.
Please join us Sundays at 9 a.m. at Montgomery Center for worship and fellowship.
