A Message for Church Leaders from Matthew 9:9
Matthew 9:9 records a brief but powerful moment in the ministry of Jesus: “As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.” Within these few words is a profound revelation about the nature of Christ’s call and the posture required of those who lead God’s people. For church leaders, this passage offers enduring insight into the character of divine calling, the authority of Christ’s invitation, and the responsibility of those who respond.
The setting of the call is significant. Matthew was seated at the tax booth, a place associated with compromise, collaboration with oppressive power, and social rejection among his own people. Tax collectors were often viewed as traitors and sinners. Yet Jesus does not hesitate as he approaches Matthew. He does not begin with correction, debate, or negotiation. He simply calls him: Follow me.
This moment reveals that the initiative of ministry always begins with Christ. Leadership in the church does not originate from human ambition, personal qualification, or social approval. It begins with the voice of Jesus passing by and calling someone by name. Church leaders must continually remember that the foundation of their service is not their own readiness but Christ’s sovereign choice. The authority to lead flows from the authority of the One who calls.
The call itself is striking in its simplicity. Jesus does not present Matthew with a long explanation or a detailed plan for the future. He offers two words: Follow me. The call to leadership in the kingdom is fundamentally a call to discipleship. Before anyone leads others, they must first walk behind Christ. Leadership in the church is not primarily about directing others; it is about faithfully following the Lord.
This truth guards against a common danger in ministry. Leaders may become so occupied with guiding others that they neglect their own posture of following. Programs, responsibilities, and expectations can slowly shift the focus away from Christ himself. Matthew 9:9 reminds leaders that the central task is not merely to manage a ministry but to remain personally responsive to the voice of Jesus.
Matthew’s response is equally instructive. The text says that he rose and followed him. There is no recorded hesitation. There is no discussion of conditions or guarantees. The response is immediate obedience. For leaders in the church, obedience must remain the defining characteristic of their service. Influence, experience, and knowledge can never replace a simple willingness to respond when Christ speaks.
Matthew rises from his seat at the tax booth. The booth represents stability, income, and a defined place within society, even if it carried a questionable reputation. Leaving it behind required relinquishing security and familiarity. The call of Christ often disrupts established patterns and comfortable structures. Church leaders must be willing to rise from whatever position or identity might hinder their full obedience to Christ’s direction.
This passage also highlights the transforming power of Christ’s call. Matthew the tax collector becomes Matthew the disciple and eventually Matthew the witness who records the Gospel. The same man who once participated in a system of exploitation becomes a messenger of grace. The transformation illustrates a central principle for ministry: the effectiveness of a leader is rooted not in their past but in the redemptive work of Christ.
For those who shepherd congregations, this truth shapes how leaders view both themselves and the people they serve. If Christ can call Matthew from a tax booth, then no life is beyond the reach of his transforming grace. Leaders must cultivate communities where redemption is expected and transformation is welcomed.
The call of Matthew also reveals something about the nature of Christ’s mission. By calling a tax collector, Jesus demonstrates that his kingdom advances through unexpected people. Those who might be dismissed or overlooked by society are often chosen to carry the message of the kingdom. Church leaders must therefore resist the temptation to evaluate potential solely through conventional measures of status or reputation. The kingdom of God operates according to a different economy of grace.
Immediately after Matthew’s call, the narrative continues with a meal shared among tax collectors and sinners. This detail emphasizes that following Christ leads into a mission of engagement rather than isolation. Leaders who follow Jesus are drawn into spaces where grace must be demonstrated and proclaimed. The call to leadership includes the responsibility to embody Christ’s compassion toward those who feel excluded or condemned.
Matthew’s story therefore reminds leaders that the church must reflect the welcoming posture of Christ. Ministry that distances itself from the broken and the marginalized fails to mirror the heart of the One who called Matthew. Leadership must remain attentive to the movement of Christ toward those who are searching, wounded, or forgotten.
Another important lesson emerges from the brevity of the encounter. The passage does not describe a lengthy preparation process before Matthew begins to follow Jesus. While growth and formation are essential in ministry, the initial step of obedience does not require complete understanding. Leaders must remember that discipleship unfolds along the path of obedience. One step of faith leads to another as Christ shapes the life of the disciple.
For those entrusted with guiding congregations, this principle encourages patience and humility. Just as Matthew began his journey with a simple act of obedience, so every leader continues to grow through ongoing surrender to Christ’s direction. The journey of following never truly ends.
Matthew 9:9 also reveals the relational nature of leadership in the kingdom. Jesus calls Matthew into a relationship before assigning responsibilities. The essence of Christian leadership is not merely organizational effectiveness but relational proximity to Christ. When leaders remain near to him, their ministry reflects his character and priorities.
Therefore, the call to follow must remain central within the life of every church leader. Titles, positions, and responsibilities are secondary to the foundational identity of being a follower of Christ. When leaders remember that they themselves were called from their own places of limitation, their leadership becomes marked by humility, gratitude, and dependence on grace.
The scene at the tax booth continues to echo through the life of the church. Christ still passes by ordinary places, speaks a simple call, and invites individuals into a life of discipleship and service. For church leaders, Matthew’s response provides a lasting pattern: rise from whatever confines the heart, follow the voice of Jesus, and trust that the One who calls also transforms.
May the example of Matthew remind all who lead that ministry begins with a call, continues through obedience, and finds its purpose in faithfully following Christ wherever he leads.
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