The Gospel of Matthew Teaches Us A Thing Or Two
A few things we can learn from the Gospel of Matthew
Most people have read the Gospel of Matthew.
It is a rich book of the Bible because it provides such deep insights into Jesus through the eyes of Matthew, a tax collector in the first century.
I love this book of the Bible because it helps me understand the attributes of the Kingdom of God.
However, today, I wanted to share a little bit about the Gospel of Matthew to help introduce you to this book of the Bible.
Background
Now, we know the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew is attributed to the apostle Matthew, who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.
The Gospel was written between 70–100 AD and intended to be read by a Jewish audience.
Why does it start with a genealogy?
The Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his ancestry back to Abraham. This is significant because it establishes Jesus as a descendant of Abraham and, thus, a legitimate heir to the promises made to Abraham by God.
The genealogy also establishes Jesus as a descendant of David, which is significant because it fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the line of David.
What does the Gospel of Matthew tell us about Jesus?
Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is portrayed as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
For example, in Matthew 2:6, the prophet Micah is quoted as saying that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and Matthew notes that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
In Matthew 4:14–16, the prophet Isaiah is quoted as saying that the Messiah would minister in Galilee, and Matthew notes that Jesus began his ministry in Galilee.
In addition to presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, the Gospel of Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the teacher of the Law.
Jesus is depicted as a new Moses who brings a new Law to his people. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus teaches his followers the new Law, which emphasizes love, mercy, and forgiveness.
What does the Gospel of Matthew tell us about the Kingdom of God?
The Gospel of Matthew also emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven. In parables, Jesus often speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven, describing it as a place where the righteous will be rewarded.
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells several parables about the Kingdom of Heaven, including the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of the Mustard Seed, and the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares.
Perhaps the most significant section of the Gospel of Matthew is the Passion Narrative, which tells the story of Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection.
This narrative is significant because it is the basis of Christian theology, and it is the reason why Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah. The Passion Narrative also highlights the theme of suffering in the Gospel of Matthew.
Jesus is depicted as a suffering servant who willingly endures persecution and death for the sake of his people.
Final Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew
In conclusion, the Gospel of Matthew is a rich and complex literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, the teacher of the Law, and his people’s Savior.
The Gospel emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven, the importance of love, mercy, and forgiveness, and the theme of suffering.
The Gospel of Matthew is a powerful testament to the life and teachings of Jesus, and it continues to inspire and challenge the church to this day.
Learn more about the Kingdom of Heaven
God put it on my heart to dig deeper into the characteristics of the Kingdom of God found in the Gospel of Matthew.
As such, I wrote a 28-day devotional that walks through the Gospel of Matthew and helps us learn more about the Kingdom of God.
J.R. Heimbigner is a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon who loves helping people grow in their faith and help writers become authors. You can connect with him on Medium, his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Substack!
Check out his bible study devotional on Proverbs, the Gospel of John, and the Gospel of Matthew!