The Twelve Apostles of the New Jerusalem – Matthew

from the talks in December 2020 by Rev. Michaël Merle
​
Based on Matthew’s own Gospel it is reasonable to think that he was the last of the twelve disciples to be called (and not Judas, who is placed last on lists of the Apostles because of his task). None of the Gospels relate the calling of all twelve. Matthew was a tax collector. Matthew is a Greek name, and he is also referred to as Levi. It is conceivable that, as an official of the state, he had a Greek or international name - Matthew, while at home, in his community, he had a Hebrew name - Levi.

Matthew is referred to as the ‘son of Alphaeus’, yet there is no mention that his brother is James. It is therefore possible that being a ‘son of Alphaeus’ was a spiritual path and not a family lineage. This possibility would consolidate the idea that there is nothing arbitrary about the people called by Jesus. Jesus calls people who are seekers on a path. It is also possible that Thomas, who is on an esoteric, meditative path, is also a ‘son of Alphaeus’. This would place Matthew, Thomas and James in a common community of ‘sons of Alphaeus’. This would be a reason for his calling.

We do not know how Matthew died. There are ten different accounts of his death, but they suggest that he died a martyr’s death.

The Gospel that Matthew wrote was the second Gospel to be written. The oldest manuscripts extant are not signed, but they are believed to have been written or dictated by Matthew. There are suggestions that the synoptic Gospels all reference an older source document often referred to as the Q-source.

Matthew is connected with the Foundation Stone of amethyst. Amethyst is associated with Aries and is the stone of sobriety. Amethyst is extremely important as it represents the step into the next cycle. The soul quality connected with amethyst is devotion that must be transformed into the spiritual quality of the power of sacrifice. This spiritual quality is shared with the angelic world. The power of sacrifice is completely selfless with no hope of any personal gain through it.

Amethyst

The attributed Coat of Arm of Matthew