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Matthew

First impression: finding the context

The New Testament… I did not think I was going to make it this far! We finished reading the Old Testament last week. We rested over the weekend and started with new strength this week. I know I’m not the Original Reader, but I’m enjoying the read.

The OR of this book was the Jews of Jesus’ time, approximately in the middle of the 1^st century, probably only a few decades after the events of Jesus’ life and ministry. (SourceView Bible p.1235) Another piece of information to back this up, is the first chapter of Matthew, it starts right away with the genealogy of Jesus, to trace it back to Abraham, and going by King David [just like the prophecies said!] (Matthew 1:1-16). And right before and after that family name dropping Matthew states that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus also sent his disciples, in Matthew, telling them: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel - God’s lost sheep.” (Matthew 10:5-6)

The Author of this book is Matthew himself. A tax collector for the Roman empire, was a very interesting addition to Jesus crew, especially because no one liked the tax collectors. Common people told they were evil puppets of the Empire and Pharisees and Teachers of the Law called them “sinners” with no hesitation! Yet Matthew was invited by Jesus himself for a long walk with Him. Matthew paid attention and recorded everything that seemed important to him.

This book was written as “irrefutable proof that the long-awaited Jewish Messiah had come to inaugurate God’s kingdom on earth.” (SourceView Bible p. 1235) Matthew backs this up with several references to the Old Testament (that Jesus mentioned). For example:

“This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,

‘When you hear what I say,

    you will not understand.

When you see what I do,

    you will not comprehend.

For the hearts of these people are hardened,

    and their ears cannot hear,

and they have closed their eyes—

    so their eyes cannot see,

and their ears cannot hear,

    and their hearts cannot understand,

and they cannot turn to me

    and let me heal them.’” (Matthew 13: 14-15)

And this prophecy is in itself the very thing that is repeated in the whole book: Jesus talks to the people in parables, they don’t understand; they see the miracles but they don’t comprehend; and they don’t turn to Him so He can heal their hearts. The other thing that is also a repeated theme is that Jesus fulfilled many of the Old Testament prophecies.

Theme tracing

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

This is the first book of the New Testament, therefore, it talks a lot about Jesus, so my references to God’s character will include characteristics of both, the Father and the Son alike. He is:

Just, He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good (5:45)

Perfect, and He wants us to be like the Father in Heaven is (5:48)

Compassionate, Jesus always healed the sick (14:14)

Abundant provider (five thousand men fed 14:15-25 & four thousand men fed 15:32-39)

Humble King (21:5)

What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

The book of Matthew closes with the last instruction from Jesus. At this point, He had been crucified, buried and risen! This is what He told His disciples:

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

I feel very encouraged by this because plan of salvation is for all nations. At the beginning of the book, I read that Jesus was sent to the Jews, and in the process of the book that view changed. For one reason or another, it really don’t matter. The important thing is by the end of Matthew, everyone is invited to be a disciple of Jesus and to partake on salvation!

Personal application

Is there a timeless truth, or maybe a specific verse, or perhaps the main idea of the book you are studying that is challenging you in your life?

I am proud in the areas that I am proficient or good at… and this book has been challenging me in that exact area. For Jesus told the crowd one day:

“And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:10-12)

So, I see that the proud are going down… I’ll keep working on this one. I want to say that I’m improving, but that might take me a few steps back!

What area of your life is God encouraging you, convincing you or empowering you in through this book?

So much food… that encourages me any given day! But in all seriousness it helps me to see that Jesus can create so much food from so little resources. I know I can trust Him to come with us in the Food Trucks and provide us with endless “fish & bread”! I feel very encouraged, because I usually worry about the price of the trucks and then gas, and then food… but I know all things are possible with God. So, no more worries for me about those trucks!

Point of passion

I have read parts of the Bible in my life… but never had I read complete books, especially not this many in a row. And this is the first time I read a Gospel complete.

I read of the genealogy of Jesus, I read about Him before He was even there. He was a prophecy, hundreds of years before. A promise of redemption. A future King who would deliver them… that really sounded like a new world order if you did not read that He [the Messiah] was going to be humble and ride on a donkey. And the problem is that maybe no prophet said that He was going to be feeding and healing gentiles… and no one said that He was there to bring a new covenant, not to abolish the old one, but to fulfill it.

Expectation versus reality. It was hard to come to the conclusion that Jesus was not what they were waiting so many years for. He was not who they thought He was going to be. And the easy thing to do was to say that He was not “the one” they were waiting for, kill Him and then keep on waiting.

My point of passion for the New Testament has not changed a bit, but I wanted to say that we need to adjust our expectations to our reality or else, we might miss the main point.

Jesus was a provider of health, of food and ultimately of truth. And He did not just give these things in a regular way, but he made it rain! He provided in abundant ways! And I am feeling like these elements need to go together, and when I go on the streets to feed the homeless and the needy (at least once a week) I try to be available to talk about anything they want to talk about. I don’t think that my job is to indoctrinate them about the Bible, Jesus and/or God in any way. Not until they ask for that. I feel like the Gospel has been sold to the homeless and the poor with food… and I don’t want any part on that, not today, not tomorrow, not ever!