We truly don’t know a lot about the gospel writers. Scholars have debated who wrote what. In the case of the gospel book attributed to Matthew (which I am focusing on during this current series of writing), we don’t really know if the tax collector mentioned in the text (Matthew 9:9-13) was the author. Perhaps it was him. Perhaps it was a group of people. We also don’t know for certain the original motives for the writing or for whom the book was written. The mysteries are plentiful.
The book though gives us some glimpses as to who might have benefited from reading or hearing this book. From one vantage point the author(s) seems intent on connecting with Jewish observers, referencing scriptures and symbolism they would understand. (In the gospel narratives according to Mark and John, they even refer to Matthew as Levi—a noticeable nod to the priestly line of Jewish ancestry.; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32.) From another perspective, the book is a reflection of its time and place, as it begins with a focus on kingly lineage (from a very male-dominant perspective at that). Yet, juxtaposed against these two realities of religion and region the story keeps on elevating everyday ordinary individuals.
I wonder if this is partially why we have come to associate Matthew the tax collector as the writer of this book. (I’m sure most biblical scholars would have a more lengthy reasoning far beyond this simple one!) However, at a very basic level, it makes sense that a maligned character like a tax collector would write this ode to the common person living in a systematic world designed by others far more powerful. A person simply doing their job. That is, until Jesus upends the disciple’s complacency and empowers the follower to change the world (which is illuminated more in the next chapter; Matthew 10).
Suppose this is the case—that Matthew the tax collector wrote this (perhaps with some other friends and followers of Jesus) after hearing about Mark’s quick attempt to summarize the good news of Jesus, their common Savior and Lord. Matthew perhaps saw a need for the gospel to be written in a way that brought in a wide audience of everyday people. Matthew saw the need to expand the movement that had begun. In a way, the story opens by attracting the Jewish faithful and the regionally elite, and then taking an unexpected turn to focus on common folks.
Now, I’m not saying that Matthew and the other writers were trying to be subversive or distort any gospel truths. It would be naive to think though that they did not have their own motives and desires in how things are presented. And when we spend time pondering their intentions we can uncover even more truths of the gospel. When we try to put ourselves in their shoes, and those of the early readers and hearers, we can see a bit more of what they saw and why they told the story the way that they did.
Our hearts and minds should always be open to seeing more of the gospel and discovering what the writers of these wondrous books want to tell us. May we all find ourselves as the audience intended for this good news, seeing and believing that Jesus Christ is rooting for us and for all humanity. This is a gospel of endlessly expansive inclusion and we have the joy of becoming part of this good news story in our day and age.
Relevant Reformation 