And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me.
— Matthew 9:9-13 (KJV)
Matthew’s call can sound quick because the Gospel tells it simply: Jesus saw him sitting at the tax booth and said, “Follow me.” Matthew rose and followed. But the booth was not just furniture. It represented an old life, a source of income, a social identity, and a system of security.
Tax collectors in the Roman world were often associated with exploitation and collaboration. However the exact financial arrangements worked in Matthew’s setting, leaving the booth was costly. Fishermen might return to nets. A tax booth was different. It was tied to contracts, obligations, and public reputation.
That makes Matthew’s response striking. He did not merely add Jesus to an already-managed life. He walked away from the place that had defined his control.
For us, the booth may not be a tax station. It may be a habit that offers comfort while quietly enslaving us, a relationship we use for identity, a savings account we trust more than God, a grudge that gives us a sense of power, or an old self-protective pattern we keep nearby just in case.
Jesus does not call every person to leave the same thing in the same way. But He does call every disciple to trust Him more than the booth. Following Christ is not a casual stroll with a backup plan for the old life. It is a daily yes to the One who is merciful enough to eat with sinners and strong enough to make them new.
Key takeaways
- Matthew’s booth represented security, identity, and an old way of life.
- Following Jesus can require costly trust.
- The ‘booth’ in our lives may be anything we trust more than Christ.
- Jesus calls sinners with mercy and transforms them with grace.
For reflection
- What old source of control are you tempted to keep nearby?
- Where is Jesus asking for trust instead of a fallback plan?
- How does His mercy toward Matthew encourage you?
A prayer
Jesus, help me rise from every booth that keeps me from following You freely. Teach me to trust Your mercy more than my old securities. Amen.
For a small group
Read Matthew 9:9-13. Discuss what Matthew may have been leaving behind. Invite each person to reflect on one modern ‘booth’ that can compete with trust in Christ.
Sources used in writing this devotional
- Craig S. Keener, A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew — Historical background on tax collectors in Matthew.
- R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew — Context for Matthew’s call and Jesus’ table fellowship with sinners.
This devotional first appeared in The Context Bible app on 2026-06-10. The app surfaces a new devotional every day, alongside the historical, theological, and academic context for every verse you read. Open it in your browser or download free.
