In "The Chosen" (drama series about the life of Jesus of Nazareth through the eyes of those who met Him), Matthew is cast as a financially astute but shy, socially-awkward young man who chose profession over family and cultural dignity. Like all Jewish tax collectors, he is despised and rejected by his own people, living a materially comfortable but lonely existence.

Yet, this is precisely the sort of person that Jesus would call to follow Him - the social outcast, marginalised and ostracised. It should not surprise us and neither should we be surprised that the Pharisees objected to Jesus dining with Matthew and his lot. While they judge by looking at what is on the surface, God looks at the heart of each individual. The Lord knows the "sick" who yearn for understanding, compassion and companionship. He could see, in this earnest young man, the evangelist who would write his Gospel years later, attesting to the Son of Man who called him out of the cell of his tax-collector's booth into the care-free world and life of being a disciple of Christ.

Let us consider if we too are living behind the security of our self-created prison cells. Is Christ calling us to follow Him? Are we ready to leave behind all our worldly wealth in exchange for the eternal wealth of God's kingdom? How can the story of Matthew inspire us?