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Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Question 9

Matthew’s humility is highlighted in two ways: he lists “Thomas and Matthew” (putting himself second) and calls himself “Matthew the tax collector,” like saying “Matthew the thug”—what does this reveal about grace that does not erase the past, and how would churches change if leaders openly carried their former shame the way Matthew does rather than managing their image?

Another way to ask: If Matthew calls himself “the tax collector” and puts himself second in his list, what does that say about grace not erasing your past, and how might churches change if leaders were that open about old shame?

Direct Answer Bercot presents Matthew as using his past shame to magnify Christ’s grace: grace transforms a person without pretending the old life never happened, and that honesty could reshape how churches view leadership and testimony.

Support from Transcript:

Bercot notes Matthew reverses the usual order: others list “Matthew and Thomas,” but Matthew writes “Thomas and Matthew,” and he explains this as “just out of humility.”
Matthew uniquely labels himself: “Matthew the tax collector,” while “the other evangelists… don’t say Matthew the tax collector.”
Bercot emphasizes the moral stigma: tax collector is like saying “Matthew the thug,” and he had been “this evil person… a thug at one time.”
He gives Matthew’s purpose: to show “what the grace of Christ can do… if I can change, anyone else can change.”
He ties it to Jesus’ mission: “Jesus came to save sinners, not to call people who were already sufficient in their own righteousness.”

Discussion Follow-ups What would change if leaders told the truth about who they were, not to glorify sin, but to glorify grace? How do we tell testimony without turning it into image-management?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10