Makna Panggilan Yesus bagi Matius dalam Konteks Sosial Ekonomi Palestina.
The call of Jesus to Matthew is a significant event in the New Testament, marking a turning point in the life of the tax collector and setting the stage for his transformation into one of the twelve apostles. This event, however, is not just a personal story of conversion. It also carries profound socio-economic implications, particularly when viewed in the context of Palestine during the time of Jesus.
The Socio-Economic Context of Palestine
Palestine during the time of Jesus was a society marked by stark economic disparities. The Roman Empire, which ruled over the region, imposed heavy taxes on the local population. These taxes were collected by local tax collectors, who were often despised by their fellow Jews for their perceived collaboration with the Roman oppressors. Matthew, as a tax collector, would have been part of this despised class, seen as a traitor to his people and a symbol of the economic oppression they were suffering under.
The Call of Jesus to Matthew
In this context, the call of Jesus to Matthew takes on a deeper significance. When Jesus called Matthew, he was not just inviting a sinner to repentance. He was also challenging the socio-economic structures that had made Matthew a pariah in his own society. By inviting Matthew to follow him, Jesus was signaling his rejection of the social and economic hierarchies that had marginalized Matthew and others like him.
The Response of Matthew to Jesus' Call
Matthew's response to Jesus' call is equally significant. By leaving his tax booth to follow Jesus, Matthew was not just accepting a personal call to discipleship. He was also making a radical break with the socio-economic system that had defined his life up to that point. In choosing to follow Jesus, Matthew was choosing to align himself with the poor and the marginalized, rather than the rich and the powerful.
The Implications of Matthew's Call for Today
The call of Jesus to Matthew, and Matthew's response, carry important implications for Christians today. They remind us that the call to follow Jesus is not just a personal call to piety, but also a call to challenge unjust socio-economic structures. They remind us that to follow Jesus is to stand with the poor and the marginalized, and to work for a society where all people are valued and respected, regardless of their economic status.
In conclusion, the call of Jesus to Matthew is a powerful story of personal transformation. But it is also a story of socio-economic transformation, a story that challenges us to look beyond our own personal salvation and to work for the salvation of our society. It is a story that reminds us that the Kingdom of God is not just about heavenly rewards, but also about earthly justice. It is a story that calls us to follow in the footsteps of Matthew, to leave behind our own 'tax booths' and to follow Jesus in the way of love, justice, and solidarity.