The little waves lap on a quiet shore.
The busy crowds of old Capernaum
Are silent now. The ancient streets are dumb
Beneath the sod. The Romans come no more.
Across the grass some random breezes run
To mark the spot where Jesus healed and taught.
And where one day the freeing Word was brought
To lonely Matthew, called the publican.
There from his heart fell off the heavy chains.
The Master spoke so gently, "Follow me."
And Matthew rose and followed instantly,
Released from all the burdens, all the stains.
On tax collector Levi until then
The scorn of men had beaten like a rod.
His new name, Matthew, means "The Gift of God":
Now he would never feel condemned again.
He gave a banquet, to his friends and kind,
To other outcasts such as he had been.
He hoped that they might soon forsake their sin
And knowing Jesus, cease from being blind.
He did for men what he could do the best:
He wrote down what our loving Master said.
And in the greatest book men ever read
The words he wrote are placed before the rest.
