Grace and Space

Lk 6:12-16
Zealot: The Greek zēlōtēs (“zealot”) refers to one who shows zeal and enthusiasm. One of the disciples of Jesus, Simon, is called by this name not just because he is a “zealous” observer of the Law but, as most biblical scholars believe, because he is a member of the sect called the Zealots.
Like the majority of the people, the Zealots believed in the coming of the Messiah but mostly for the recovery of the Jewish independence from the Roman power. Acceptance of foreign domination and payment of taxes to a foreign ruler were an abomination to Yahweh for them. They attacked foreigners and Jews whom they suspected of collaboration with the Roman officials. Some of them were called Sicarii (“stabbers”) from their practice of concealing a dagger underneath their garments and stabbing their enemies in crowded areas. They were chiefly responsible for the outbreak of rebellion against Rome in 66 AD, and forced the moderates to side with them even against their will. Jerusalem fell in 70 AD but the Zealots survived long enough to break out again in the Jewish Second Revolt of 132-135 AD.
As one of the Zealots, Simon would have no love for Matthew, a tax collector, a collaborator of the Romans. Yet, in following Jesus, the disciples “leave everything behind,” including their affiliations. Now, they must focus on the proclamation of the kingdom.