In the gospel of Matthew, we are first introduced to a group
of people called the publicans.
Most of what is recorded in the gospel accounts about these people
is not flattering. The
Greek word translated "publican" means a "firmer of the tax.
Under the Roman role, wealthy men or groups would bid at auctions
to collect the tax for the government. These men would then agree to pay
the government so much money each year.
They, in turn, collected this money plus a fee for collecting it from
the people in their area. No
proper means were ever adopted to prevent the fees charged to the average
person from
becoming exorbitant. Many of those who collected these taxes were hired
local people. As can
be expected, they were looked down upon for collecting taxes for a
foreign, and in the case of
the Jews, a heathen government. To the Jews, this class of people was
not admitted into society
and to be a friend or associate of a publican placed a Jewish person
in considerable disregard.
This, of course, was one of the charges brought against Jesus,
that not only did he associate
with this class of people, but he even ate with them. It was from this
group that Jesus chose
Matthew to become an apostle (Matthew 9:9). Jesus could take even this
type of a person and
make them into someone useful in His kingdom, if they were willing!
Jesus still has that power
today to change lives and to take a person that society casts out and
make him into a useful
person in His kingdom (Romans 1:16). What about you, are you in Jesus'
kingdom?