The Book of Matthew
Beginning in the New Testament the Bible moves from strict enforcement, punishment, and prophecy, into the glorious presentation of the Son of God. He is spoken of hundreds of times in the Old Testament through symbols and prophecies – all pointing to the future and the coming of Someone. The Old Testament cannot be read without being aware of that constant promise running through each page. Someone is definitely coming.
In opening the Gospels, that Someone comes forth in the fullness of his glory, and it is absolutely fascinating. We get a chance to see Christ as he is. Because what Christ was, is what he is, and what he will always be. We are given a view into the depth and fullness of his character and being and life. That is why the Gospels are so important to us.
The word gospel means “good news.” It was the message that Jesus forgives the sins of all who trust in Him. The Gospel of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament, and has been called the most important book that has ever been written for Christendom. Matthew was a Jewish tax collector who obeyed Christ’s call and became one of the original twelve apostles.
Matthew’s name means, “gift of God.” Jesus gave him this name in place of his given name, Levi when he joined with Christ..
The Gospel of Matthew is the perfect link between the Old and New Testaments. Matthew wrote especially to the Jews to prove that Christ is their promised Messiah and the eternal King of kings and Lord of lords. Therefore, Matthew is careful not to alienate his Jewish readers. Matthew also shows how Jesus fulfilled prophecy and how He is the Person who will bring in God’s kingdom. Because the “Kingdom of heaven” is found thirty-three times in this Gospel, it has been called the Gospel of the Kingdom. The book also shows that followers of Christ are the true people of God and the heirs of the coming kingdom. Matthew records Jesus’ birth, Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, the Parables of the Kingdom, and Peter’s confession of Christ as the Son of God.
Matthew could also be called the Gospel of the King because it is Matthew’s task to present him as the King. The prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem, “humble and riding on an ass…” (Zech 9:9). A genealogy is given to show God’s working throughout the ages to bring His Son to earth. Jesus’ legal right to the throne comes through Joseph and his hereditary right through Mary.
The first chapter recounts the joyful miracle of the birth of Jesus, which is different from every other birth. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb and born with a sinless nature. He is “God with us” and also God like us because He took on our nature and entered into human life and experience. When Jesus was baptized by John, he was given his heavenly authority as the Father’s voice spoke from heaven and said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17).
In chapter four, Jesus is tempted by Satan not as a personal test but for our sake, that He might personally know temptation and be able to help us when we are tempted. He overcame the devil by using the same weapons available to us today: the Word of God, the power of the Spirit, and prayer.
The Sermon on the Mount presents a picture of the truly righteous person and shows the spiritual principles that control his or her life. Jesus defined what sin is (5:21-48) and what real righteousness is in the areas of worship (6:1-18) and wealth (6:19-34). We lay up treasures in heaven when we consider that all we have belongs to God and we use it to magnify His righteousness and advance His kingdom (Matt. 6:33). It means much more than merely giving
offerings to God, although that is important. It means total stewardship of life so that God is in complete control and our one desire is to glorify Him. This is the secret of a unified life (Matt. 6:24) free of worry. It is important because it deals with internal attitudes as well as outward actions. In these rules of the kingdom there is an emphasis on the physical life. Jesus was saying that if we discover him and receive him as our King, we will discover that He is the answer to all of our physical needs. We need only to look to Him.
This is followed by a section on miracles. These are illustrations of the benefits that our Lord can bestow on the level of the physical life if we accept him. Matthew assembled several of Jesus’ miracles and recorded them as proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah. There are five main points seen through these miracles: God is concerned with individuals, God can meet every need, God responds to faith, God’s greatest concern is the salvation of sinners, and God calls us to help Him reach the lost. All of these miracles show the time Jesus was willing to spend, his compassion, his ability to heal, his ultimate power and his intense love and caring for all of us.
This, in turn, is followed by a section of parables of the kingdom. Jesus used the familiar to teach the unfamiliar (“things new and old” Matt. 13:52). He did that not to hide the truth but to arouse interest in the truth. He wanted to get the people to open their eyes and ears and receive the truth into their sluggish hearts. Jesus also warns against things like hostility, distractions, hypocrisy, and neutrality (you are either for Him or against Him). He also speaks about truthfulness and forgiveness. These parables explain how God is at work in the world today. God is sowing His Word in human hearts and looking for fruit (vv. 1-9, 18-23). He is sowing His people in the world where they can produce a harvest. (vv. 24-330, 36-43). At the end of the age, He will separate the true from the false and the good from the bad.
Beginning with chapter 16, there is a second ministry of Jesus to the nation, this time on the level of the soul: listening, trusting and obeying Jesus. He is offering himself on this level. His first revelation is to his disciples only, for they are the nucleus of the coming church, and this takes us up to chapter 18. Here is the transfiguration and the first intimation of Jesus’ death. This is followed by parables of the King. These are addressed first to the disciples, and then to the nation. All are parables presenting him as the King who has the right to command and to determine the character of individuals. Jesus wants to heal your marriage and bless your family, so let Him have your all. Nothing is said now about their physical lives. Are they willing to follow him; are they willing to let him mold and shape their lives and characters?
Now what began as a triumphal entry into Jerusalem, turns into the judicial entry, when Jesus judges the nation, passes into the temple, stops the offerings, and drives out the money changers. Jesus does this not to judge, however, but to save. A person whose life is “nothing but leaves” is in danger of judgment, for Christ seeks fruit (Matt. 7:15-20). Once again you hear
the word “woe” coming in. In chapter 23, verse 13, He says, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, …” (Matt 23:13) All through the chapter, this word “woe” rings out again and again.
This is followed by a section in chapters 24 and 25, where there are instructions to individuals again. The instructions tell the believers what to do until Jesus comes again. We are warned not to be deceived, discouraged, defeated, doubtful, or distracted. The Word will not change. It reveals how world history is going to shape up, what will happen in the intervening years; what forces will be let loose upon the earth; how the forces of darkness are going to take God’s own people and test them, try them, and shake their foundations. He declares that they can
only stand as they learn to reckon upon the inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus returns, it will be a time of separation: the wise from the foolish, the faithful from the unfaithful, and the blessed from the cursed. People need to be born again and receive the Holy Spirit. His coming also means as evaluation. We must invest in our lives and make them better in order to give the glory to God. Faithfulness is the key, because God measures us against ourselves, not against others. Have faith and take some risks for God. We don’t always realize what our service means to Christ, so when He returns it will also be a time of commendation.
Finally we arrive at the last section. It is here that we are told of the betrayal, the trial of the Lord Jesus, the agony, the crucifixion, and the miraculous resurrection. We are told of
how God offered opportunity to all those suffering adversity. When, for example, Peter
was given the opportunity to repent, he wept. No matter what others did, Jesus was in
complete command and know how to make the most of every opportunity. Use all the opportunities that God gives you today wisely. ” Not as I will, but as You will” is the secret (v. 39). Jesus is truly the example to follow when we suffer unjustly. First the suffering, then the glory; first the cross, then the crown. We should remember this the next time we are tempted to take the easy way.
The message of the empty tomb is, “Do not be afraid!” Jesus overcomes the world, the people, death, and the devil. So we need not be afraid of anything as long as we have Jesus.
He also keeps His promises, goes before us, and has all authority. He will prepare a way
for us if we trust in Him for he has promised to be with us always.
The great message of the Gospels, then, is that God is not up yonder on some throne; He is not waiting in some distant judgment hall to pass judgment upon us. He is ready and waiting to pass into the center of a hungry, thirsting person’s heart, and there to minister the
blessing of his own life, his own character, his own being, all for us. When the King is enthroned in life, the kingdom of God is present. That is the message of Matthew – “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17).
The great question to which Matthew demands an answer is, “Is Jesus Christ King of your life?” Have you received him only as Savior of the body or Savior of the soul? The
question that Matthew brings before us is, “Has he become King? Has he penetrated to the spirit? Has he mastered your heart? Has he laid hold of your worship as an individual, so
that he is the one single most important person in all the universe to you?” That is when he becomes King. That is the fulfillment of the first commandment. ” You shall have no other
gods before me, for you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with all your mind.” The result will be that you will love your neighbor as
yourself.
Countless famous authors and other literary masterpieces have drawn parallels and made references to many of the ideas of Matthew’s Gospel. Dante, St. Augustine, Machiavelli, and Erasmus to name a few. It continues to be a source of inspiration. For many people in the world, the book of Matthew is like a second creation story. This is because it is like a new beginning. Because of the story of Christ’s resurrection, we gain hope and inspiration. We look forward to a better time. Because of the Sermon on the Mount, we are able to have a more positive, secure, and promising outlook on the world we are experiencing at hand.
