Observation

This was a popular question as many candidates were attracted to it and they performed greatly in both the A and B Part. They gave relevant points to the demands of the question. However, In A Part, the challenge most candidates had was that they ended up mixing up the narratives of all the synoptic gospels together and in most cases, they wrote about the call of the first five disciples rather than focusing their attention solely on the encounter of Jesus with Matthew. In other situations, other candidates mistook Mathew for Zacheus. Points expected of candidates are highlighted below.

1. As Jesus passed by, he saw Mathew sitting at the tax office in Capernaum.
2. Jesus called him saying “follow me”.
3. And he rose and followed him.
4. Mark called this tax collector Levi, the son of Alphaeus.
5. Later, Mathew organized a feast in his house for Jesus and His disciples.
6. Many tax collectors came to sit at the table with Jesus and His disciples.
7. As they dined, the Scribes and the Pharisees murmured: and criticised Jesus saying“why does he eat with tax-collectors and sinners”?
8. When Jesus heard it, he said to them: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”
9. “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
10. He asked them to go and learn the meaning of the following statement: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”

In the B part, candidates were able to list out points about the lessons that can be leant from the encounter between Jesus and Matthew. Other additional points include;

1. Religious/ Vocational calls are mandatory- they need to be obeyed.
2. God can use any one to fulfill His purpose.
3. Discrimination/ distinctions should be avoided/Need to respect and treat people equally.
4. No profession is more important than the other/We should not look down on some professions.
5. God hates sin but loves the sinner.
6. One good turn deserves another/ need to reciprocate good gestures/ show gratitude.