Simon
and Matthew: One in Christ
What
can we learn from Matthew and Simon together? It may not be so apparent to us
since there is so little spoken of these men. Let us quickly do a review of
their titles. Matthew was a publican. This would have made him a Roman
official/employee to some extent. This would have made him a supporter of the
Roman government. Simon was a former member of the Zealotes. This would have
put him at odds with the Roman government. He was once part of a group that
literally wanted to overthrow them.
These
men should have been the greatest of enemies. How could one who worked with the
Romans and one who worked against them coexist in one cohesive group? Enemies
can be reconciled together in Christ. These two would not look at the other as
a publican or a Zealot but as a follower of Christ. In fact, one of the
purposes behind the death of Christ was to tear down the wall of partition
which kept man separated. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far
off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made
both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained
in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making
peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,
having slain the enmity thereby” (Eph. 2:13-16). There was once a wall or
partition which stood between the Jews and Gentiles. While Christ died on the
cross He was able to take the two side and make them “one.” It is from these
two men that we learn about the power of the cross. Verse 16 speaks of “enmity.”
This means “deep seated ill will” or hatred. Without the cross of Christ, these
two men should have been the worst of enemies. But we notice another word. That
word is “reconcile.” Vine defines it as “to change from enmity to friendship,
to reconcile.” Think of two high schoolers who were once the best of friends
but something changed in that relationship. Whereas they were once close, now
they are apart from each other. Time passes and the two begin to talk and work
things out. Having worked out the problems the two have reconciled and are
friends again. The death of Christ was so that man could be reconciled to God.
There must also be reconciliation between man and man. Those differences which would set us apart
are to disappear.
All who are in the body of Christ are to be one.
Sadly, there are individuals who claim to be followers of Christ and yet will
base judgment based upon the physical or social distinctions.
A good friend once told this author about his
grandfather, a preacher of the gospel. The congregation where his grandfather
preached was an “all white” congregation. There was a congregation nearby which
was “all black” and was coming close to closing its doors. There was a meeting
with the congregation amongst the men as to whether or not the two
congregations would integrate as one. Some argued yes. Some argued no. During
the entire meeting this preacher sat in silence. Finally, someone asked him his
opinion on the subject to which he responded, “What color are their souls?”
Why do we allow someone’s looks or financial
status affect the way we think of them? Everyone has a soul which is important
to God. Christ’s death on the cross was done to destroy those barriers. If
there are individuals who have obeyed the gospel those same ones are in the one
body of Christ. Those things which would cause hatred should be destroyed.
There is no greater force in the cosmos which is so powerful to be able to
bring two warring factions together.
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