Matthew: from hated tax collector to gospel writer; from an old life to a new purpose

Capernaum was a key military center for Roman troops with a thriving business community as several major highways passed through bringing merchants as far away as Egypt and Mesopotamia. Matthew was a tax collector in Capernaum who was called by Jesus, left his booth and followed Jesus, observing and taking notes. His observations would become the Gospel of Matthew. There is not much known about Matthew. In the other gospels, Matthew is referred to as Levi, son of Alphaeus. The name may reflect his Jewish heritage as Levi is one of the tribes of Israel. The name, Matthew, may be the name he used when dealing with the Romans. It was common for people to have more than one name especially if they interacted with both Jewish and Roman cultures. Why is Matthew’s occupation an important note? What is special about Matthew’s gospel? What can we learn about the two major changes in Matthew’s life?

Tax collectors were collecting taxes from citizens and merchants passing through town. They were expected to take a commission on the taxes they collected. Tax collectors developed a reputation for overcharging in order to take a greater profit. It was financially profitable, albeit corrupt, therefore, tax collectors were hated among the citizens for cheating as well as their support of Rome. Matthew was a Jewish man, appointed by the Romans to be the area’s tax collector. Matthew may have been hated more as a Jewish man, taking taxes, and handing it over to the Romans, the pagan occupiers. When Jesus called Matthew to follow him, Matthew did more than just follow. He left his wealth (Luke 5:28). He left a lucrative career, guaranteed unemployment. Matthew would not have a job to go back to, unlike the other disciples like Peter and John, who had a trade to fall back on. The first thing Matthew does after he answers Jesus’s call, he invites friends to his home to meet Jesus (Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15; Luke 5:29). He didn’t waste any time to witness. He was a changed man and he wanted others to see the reason for that change and hopefully be changed as well. 

The purpose of Matthew’s gospel is to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal King, particularly for the Jewish audience. The gospel opens with the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-16). The purpose of this genealogy was to show Jesus in the kingly line from the connection Abraham to King David to Jesus. Matthew’s genealogy also includes four women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. Three of these four women were involved in sexual scandals: Tamar and Judah in Genesis 38:15-19, Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho (Joshua 2:1) and Bathsheba committed adultery with King David (2 Samuel 11:1-4). Ruth was a Moabite (Ruth 1:4). Why is this important? It is an example that God works through all people, ordinary people, for his purpose. His work is not limited to human failures or sins. The gospel of Matthew is also the only gospel to record the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). As Matthew is writing for the Jewish audience in mind, this sermon serves as the fulfillment of the Torah as Jesus reveals the true spiritual intent of the Law that is more than simply observance. It is a deeper righteousness and call to true discipleship through love, humility and purity of heart. 

When Jesus called Matthew, there were two changes. First, a new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that we are new creations in Jesus as the old has gone and the new has come. Matthew went from hated to accepted. He was a despised outcast because of his job; but in Jesus, he has a new life. In Jesus, hope is restored and death is reversed like a new bud on a dying plant, God gives us new hearts to love, new eyes to see Him and new minds to bear witness to His miracles. Romans 6:4 tells us that God gives us a new life just as He raised Jesus from the dead. Second, a new purpose. When he decided to follow Jesus, Matthew wasted no time introducing other Jesus. Sometimes new believers are taught that they need to wait for spiritual maturity before introducing others to Jesus. However, believers can and should share their faith regardless of where they are in their journey because God can use whatever knowledge, skill or experience they already have for those in their lives at the moment. There is always an opportunity to share the gospel whether you are a new believer or a lifelong believer. 

In conclusion, little is known about Matthew beyond a handful of mentions in the gospel and his presence at the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) with no substantial record on his role in the early church. Christian tradition honors Matthew as a martyr; although, there is no record of where or how he died. Some traditions say he was stoned, beheaded, burned or stabbed. Other traditions suggest he died of natural causes like John. However, the important lesson from Matthew’s life is that Jesus accepts people from every level of society. Jesus eating with sinners at Matthew’s home shows that God’s love and message is for everyone. The Gospel of Matthew emphases Jesus’s compassion for sinners, the sick, the outcasts and the ignored. Being a follower of Jesus is not for people who think they are already good or righteous. It is for people who know they have failed and need a Savior. 

Something Old: a fresh start in a new town

Something Old is the first book in The Second Chance Shop series by Ev Bishop. Madeline’s world came crumbling down when she lost her husband, daughter and sister in a fatal car accident. Tired of the limbo of grief and loneliness, she decides to move to a small town and open a second hand shop. A dream that she shared with her daughter. She doesn't know if it will work but she is determined to make it work. As opening day gets closer and closer, she finds that there is hope in life after all. She finds herself with friends again, laughing and even adopting a moody old cat. Could there even be a second chance for love? Can she find the strength to fully embrace life again? 

I love stories about finding the strength and courage to move forward after a tragic event. I looked forward to reading Madeline’s new life in this small town. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to really connect with Madeline or the people she meets along the way. I admire her determination to start living again and feeling a fresh start in a new town was her only option. There was very little conversation other than surface communication. I feel the conservation really didn’t get deep enough especially on such hard topics as loss and grief. There are a lot of silent musings and internal dialogues that slowed the story down. Overall, the story was okay; however, I will not be continuing the series. If you enjoy second chances for life and love, you may enjoy Something Old. 

Something Old is available in paperback and eBook

The Love List: a woman takes charge of her life by doing what she loves. Is falling love be a part of the plan?

The Love List is the first book in the Hilton Head Island series by Elana Johnson. Beatrice “Bea” Callahan loves lists. She loves when she creates to-do lists and the satisfaction she gets when she can check each item off. So when she gets the finalized divorce papers, she is ready with a list to live the life she wants. Bea doesn’t call it a bucket list, it’s a love list. She loves the outdoors, so she plans to visit ten National Parks. She loves animals, so she will get a puppy. She loves the beach and wants to take a dream vacation. After the insistence of her beloved friends, she heads to Hilton Head Island. There she meets Grant Turner, the man who owns her rented house. He soon becomes her tour guide, a friend and then something more. Can she add falling in love to her list? 

This story opened with Bea eagerly waiting for her divorce papers and when she does, she wastes no time and consults no one as she starts down her list. It is supposed to be Bea and Grant’s romance story; however, I did not like chapters featuring her friends more and discussing their troubles. I understand that the author is trying to establish interest in the future books in the series but it was a turn off for me. I also disliked that all the couples are divorced, troubled marriages or newly separated. While all marriages have issues; but can one marriage be relatively a happy one? Overall, I did not enjoy The Love List and will not be continuing the series. However, if you are a fan of Elana Johnson, you may enjoy The Love List and I encourage you to give it a try. 

The Love List is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Someone Else's Bucket List: finding a new life after the death of a loved one

Someone Else’s Bucket List by Amy T. Matthews is a story of grief and finding new life after the death of a loved one. Bree Boyd was an outgoing, successful Instagram influencer with millions of followers, who lived life by the seat of her pants. When a sudden diagnosis of leukemia forces her to face her death, she plans for a life changing adventure for her introverted sister. Jodie Boyd is shy, anxious and unsure what to do with her life. She learns that Bree’s dying wish is for Jodie to finish her bucket list and if she does, a corporate sponsor will pay off the remaining medical debt as well as debt for other cancer patients. At first, the idea of doing very public events terrifies Jodie; but knowing that her family and others will benefit, she reluctantly agrees. As she checks off the remaining items on the bucket list, Jodie never imagines that she would find herself and the life she has always wanted. 

Someone Else’s Bucket List is a heartbreaking story of grief and finding a new life. It is also a sweet story of finding the courage to truly follow one’s dreams despite fears and doubts. It has P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahren vibes, except it’s sisters instead of a husband and wife. While I expected more of an emotional impact, Someone Else’s Bucket List is a great depiction of grief reactions and the journey of learning to live a new life without a loved one in it. Grief is not a straight line from sadness to acceptance. It is a windy road from sadness to being okay and back to sadness. One of my favorite quotes from the book that explains this windy road is “Grief was like weather: it had seasons and moods, and it could always take a turn for the worse.” Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There were moments of laughs and tears. I highly recommend Someone Else’s Bucket List. 

Someone Else’s Bucket List is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Nantucket Inn: a new business, a new life and a second chance to start again

The Nantucket Inn by Pamela Kelley is the first book in the Nantucket Beach Plum Cove series. After the death of her husband, Lisa Hodges discovers their financial security wasn’t there. She needs to make a decision fast. She decides to turn her house into a bed and breakfast. The lives of her three daughters are coming to life changing decisions as well. Kate, the oldest, has a wonderful career in Boston and is engaged to a photographer. Until a series of events sends her back home to Nantucket. Kristen, Kate’s twin sister, is a local artist and finds herself frustrated with her boyfriend who keeps making promises and doubts he’ll make good on them. Abby, the youngest, is happily married to her high school sweetheart. But after another failed IVF attempt, she questions if they are truly happy. 

The Nantucket Inn was a fast-paced, engaging story. The women are likable and relatable. I cheered for them as they stood up for what they wanted and weren't afraid to say enough’s enough. Lisa actually has four children. There is a son, Chase, who doesn’t have much of a role in this story. However, I’m sure he’ll show up with a story of his own in the series. There was a little opposition to Lisa’s bed and breakfast. Violet, a neighbor and fellow bed and breakfast owner, and I have a feeling she’ll be trouble for Lisa in the future. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I recommend The Nantucket Inn. It is a great read for a lazy afternoon. 

The Nantucket Inn is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

A Woman of Fortune: one woman's journey from the ashes to the life she always wanted

A Woman of Fortune is the first book in the Texas Gold series by Kellie Coates Gilbert. Texas socialite Claire Massey was on top of the world, living the dream. Designer clothes, luxury cars, stunning homes and a life most people would envy. There was very little room for complaints in her book. Until it comes crashing down when Tuck, her charming, savvy cattle broker husband, is arrested for fraud and other charges. She suddenly finds herself facing lawyers, the media, and a trail of angry people with broken hearts and broken dreams. Feeling betrayed, humiliated and devastated, Claire must find a way to rise from the ashes and create a new life, a life she didn’t know she truly wanted, and pursue a dream she didn’t know she had. 

A Woman of Fortune is an emotional roller coaster for Claire as she goes from the envy of Texas society to vilified and mocked from the very people she thought were friends. The reactions, responses and personal crises and turmoil are very realistic. However, the story left me conflicted. Would I respond like Claire did if my husband had done what Tuck did? Would I stay by my man if he lied, cheated and essentially stole from hard working people? Would I trust him again? I loved that she finds herself strength and fights for what she wants despite the “image” that she has been raised to portray. And the constant mentions of food made it hard to read because it was making me hungry! The mention of BBQ brisket alone made my mouth water! Overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the rest of the series. I recommend a Woman of Fortune. 

A Woman of Fortune is available in paperback and eBook. 

The Orchid Inn: a story of sisters, heartbreaks, tragedies and finding new life

The Orchid Inn by Aisling Delaney is the first book in the Orchid Island series. It is the story of three sisters, each with their own heartbreaks and tragedies, gather together at their grandmother’s bed and breakfast, the Orchid Inn, for the summer. Ave Flynn has hit rock bottom. Her husband has left her, wiped out their savings, all on the same day that she loses her job at a high powered law firm for “insulting” a billionaire client. Her only thought is to gather Moira, her 13 year old daughter, and head to Orchid Island. Little does she know that her sisters are also on their way, Sarah is left penniless when her millionaire boyfriend suddenly dies, leaving her with nothing. Charlotte comes to the island to figure out how her decisions had led her life down the path she seems to be on. One thing is haunting all three sisters: the disappearance of their father 17 years prior. Will they ever get the answers they need? Will the explanations be enough? Will they finally have the chance to chase the dreams they never dared to before? 

The Orchid Inn was a hard book to stay engaged in. While it started off well with the majority of the book covering the women’s journeys to the island and their stories. But that last half of the story sped by and the end seemed abrupt with any resolution or fallout left for the next book. Ava was a hard character to care for especially her attitude about Sarah’s life choices. Ava and Sarah hadn’t spoken for ten years. Once they are both at the island, they seem to forgive and forget fairly quickly. It seemed to be a theme of the story: tell your story and you will be forgiven. I’m all for forgiving those who have hurt us; but realistically, it doesn’t always happen in one conversation, especially with deep hurts. The sisters’ mother was a real piece of work who loved to say “I told you so” when her daughters’ lives were falling apart. I was looking forward to an endearing, even a hard-hitting story of sisters, their pasts and their drive to move on. Unfortunately, The Orchid Inn did not live up to my expectations.

The Orchid Inn is available in paperback

The Apology Project: when a sudden change opens the door for a second chance

The Apology Project by Jeanette Escudero is a story of personal growth and discovering what really matters. Life was going to get complicated. Amelia Montgomery, a prominent lawyer in Chicago, has been fired for not compromising her principles in a high-profile case. And for accidentally punching her partner in the nose for a misogynistic comment he made. What to do next? Amelia has no idea. After the epic failure of her 40th birthday party, an open bar and the soul guest, John Ellis, a total stranger and new associate at her former firm, she decides she needs to do some apologizing. Amelia considers all the people she had wronged. From old besties to coworkers, she decides she is going to make amends to those who really deserve it. As she checks off each apology, Amelia realizes she has been given a second chance for a life she thought she couldn’t have. 

The Apology Project is a sweet mix of romance, self-discovery and personal growth as Amelia learns that she doesn’t have to be an ice queen to have a great career and a thriving personal life. At first, Amelia is a person that I would avoid in real life. She is determined to win her cases but she has a sense of moral right as well and won’t compromise. But as the story progresses, the reader gets to see the real Amelia. The sensitive Amelia. The competitive but fun-loving Amelia. I loved seeing her personal growth and the honest and in-depth conversations she has with her sister, Nina, the psychologist. I also loved that she was willing to step out of her comfort zone and relax a bit. I enjoyed the cast of characters, especially Nina and John as they support her as she completes her apology project. I highly recommend The Apology Project. 

The Apology Project is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

The Bookshop of Second Chances: when a new life starts in the most unexpected places

The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser is the story of a woman’s desperate determination to find a new direction in her life. Nothing is going well for Thea Mottram. she was let go from her job with no notice and then, her husband of nearly twenty years has decided to leave her for one of her closest friends. It is an understatement to say that Thea has been left bewildered and completely lost. A surprise letter which informs her that her great uncle has passed away and left her his home and his worldly possessions, including an extensive antique book collection. She heads to the Scottish coast and immediately falls in love with the quaint cottage and the nearby village of Baldochrie, where the locals are warm, quirky, and inviting. The only person who she doesn’t quite win over is the local bookshop owner, Edward Maltravers. His gruff attitude tests Thea’s patience and they are soon engaged in a battle of wills. Thea soon finds the bickering with Edward thrilling and exciting, she begins to find a courage and direction she has been missing. Will she ever leave the Scottish village? 

From the opening chapter to the final pages, I fell in love with Thea and Edward. Their bickering made me laugh and smile. I eagerly read as I waited to see if they would finally acknowledge their sexual tension and act on it. Do they? You’ll have to read it to find out. It is a great book about second chances at life and love even when you think you are beyond the need or desire. It was funny and while the language may be a bit crude for some, it reminded me of British television. One of my favorite parts is when Thea explains how she found out that her husband was cheating on her. It was definitely an “oh my!” moment. I especially loved the descriptions about the bookshop and the various books on the shelves. There were moments when Edward and Thea talked about books, some I was familiar with and others I wasn’t. I was intrigued enough to make a list to look up when I finished. Overall, The Bookshop of Second Chances is a great book with relatable characters filled with humor and drama. I highly recommend The Bookshop of Second Chances. 

The Bookshop of Second Chances will be available on May 4, 2021 in paperback, eBook and audiobook. 

The Valley: a story of a new beginning in a Virginian valley

The Valley by Helen Bryan is book one of The Valley Trilogy. After the death of her father, Sophia Grafton faces a choice: live in poverty in England or move to the colonies where her father has a tobacco plantation. She chooses to take her chances with the plantation. Only once she get there, she realizes the plantation and life in the colonies isn’t at all how it was convened to her. She begins to carve out a living with a ragtag group of freed slaves, traders and other who don’t fit elsewhere. Together they fight Indian attacks, disease, and the dread slave snatchers. Will Sophia be able to make her plantation a success? Will she survive the wild wilderness of the Americas?

The Valley is an interesting story of a beautiful valley in Virginia. It is filled with wonderful characters, beautiful scenery amd action of life on a homestead. The last few chapters were confusing as to how they fit into the story. My conclusion is that the end of the book will connect with book 2 of this trilogy. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy The Valley. I recommend this book as beautiful story of the people who lived here in the beginnings of our country.

The Valley is available on Amazon.com

In paperback, on the Kindle and Audible