The answer is: In a tax booth

Matt 9:9 - Receipt of custom in the KJV

Picture this: a bustling marketplace in Capernaum, where people bartered and exchanged news as lively as the sounds of donkeys and merchants. Amidst it all, there sat Matthew, the tax collector, stationed quietly in his tax booth, perhaps shaded from the sun. Tax collectors were not just your average dude with a calculator. In fact, they were often seen as traitors, working for the Roman occupiers and, let’s say, not known for their popularity.

When Jesus approached Matthew, it wasn't just a simple call to change jobs – it was a seismic shift in identity and social standing. Accepting that call could lead to ostracization from his fellow Jews, who viewed tax collectors as corrupt and unclean. This radical act of leaving his booth didn’t just symbolize leaving a job; it marked a departure from a life tied to greed and betrayal in favor of one filled with discipleship and transformation.

Matthew would later become one of the twelve apostles and the author of the Gospel that bears his name. His story echoes throughout scripture as a testament to the idea that anyone can change and redefine themselves, no matter their past. Interestingly, his gospel opens with a genealogy highlighting Jesus’ messianic lineage, reminding readers that even the most despised figures of society have a role in the divine plan. And how's that for a twist?