Matthew Part 1

Intro

written likely in the 50s-60s AD

the first in the order of the cannon

One of the three synoptics

the most specific in its pointedness toward a particular audience

Theme

Matthew’s gospel is the most Jewish of the three

He writes in such a way that the devout Jew would come to relate to the character of the Christ and see him as the fulfilment of the law

all of the gospels have a purpose behind their writing

within Matthew are most of the more popular and memorable things Jesus says and does

sermon on the mount, great commission, Lord’s prayer, discourse on the end times, several parables and several healings

Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah of prophecy and as the culmination of all of Hebrew history

but he does even more than that

Genealogy

something new and different to think about presented by Matthew’s genealogy

what would be the point of listing out the people you come from?

Matthew goes out of his way to point out that in the line of Jesus are women, foreigners, and failures

who is Matthew?

this new king is one who establishes a kingdom where no one is an outsider

where women who are ritually unclean have more faith than the religious elite

where little children have the mind and heart we ought to strive to attain

where mustard seeds move mountains

Matthew presents a Messiah who challenges the hypocrisy and fear that has kept so many of God’s children from knowing and loving him

Application

the gospel is meant to bring people to their God

all of them help you know who your God is and what he has done for you

its meant to be shared with all the love and hope that you have

don’t let it be anything less