THE POSITION OF MATTHEW:
MATTHEW Matthew breaks the silence of 400 years between Malachi’s
“THE JEWISH CHRISTIAN GOSPEL”
Presented Jesus as KING TO THE JEWS
WRITER: Matthew also called Levi
----- a publican or a tax collector at Capernaum under the Roman
Government;
----- was called by Jesus and became one of Jesus’ twelve disciples
and eventually became an Apostle.
----- a Jew. He was well acquainted with Jewish history and
customs for he speaks of farming, fishing and housekeeping
of his people in the seven parables in Chapter 13, thus, he is
no doubt a Christian Jew. (Matt. 9:9; 10:3)
TITLE: “Matthew” means “the gift of the Lord”
TO WHOM WAS IT WRITTEN? (Matthew 15:24)
To the Jewish people – to answer questions they had about
Jesus. Since the Old Testament closed with God’s people looking for
their long promised King, their Messiah. So Matthew’s Gospel shows
that Jesus was that King as he quotes from the Old Testament more
than any of the other Gospel writers for he wanted to show the Jews
that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophesies about the Messiah
and he is the coming King.
WHERE WAS IT WRITTEN?:
Anywhere in Palestine, Syria, Antioch in 50-70 A.D.
WHAT DOES THIS BOOK MEAN TO US?
It is important for us Christians to see the thread of prophesies
about Jesus the Messiah even throughout the Old Testament. For
those of us who are non-Jews (Gentiles) we must also realize that Jesus
came as Israel’s Messiah as well as the World’s Savior. In other words
“Jesus is the Way for every person in the world to come to God.”
MAIN PEOPLE: Jesus and the Disciples
OUTLINE:
Jesus’ Birth and Childhood – 1-2
Jesus’ Teaching and Healing Ministry – 3-20
Jesus’ Crucifixions and Resurrection – 21-28
Before the birth of Jesus Christ, the whole world at this time
was expecting the advent of the Great One – a King who would rule the
earth from David’s throne and just like David’s reign.
prophecy and the announcement of the birth of Jesus.
Matthew links us up with the Old Testament. On every page he is
trying to connect the Gospel with the prophets and show that all of
their teaching is being fulfilled in the person and kingdom of Jesus
Christ.
Israel was under the domination of the Roman Empire. And no
man of “the house of David” was allowed to sit upon the throne for
over 600 years.
Herod was not the king of Israel but a Governor of Judea,
appointed by the Emperor of Rome.
Joseph, the carpenter who became the husband of Mary is the man
who really had the throne–rights of the house of David. As can be seen
in this genealogy in Matthew I especially Jechonias (Jeconiah) in v.11.
But even if Joseph could have been Jesus’ father according to their
flesh, He could never have occupied the throne, for Gods word bared
the way. because there had been a curse on this royal line since the
days of Jeconiah (Jeremiah 22:30). Joseph was in the line of this curse.
Hence if Christ had been Joseph’s son, he could not have sat on
David’s throne.
But we find another genealogy in Luke 3 in Mary’s line, back to
David through Nathan (Luke 3:31).
Genealogy- is the history of the descent of an individual or family
from an ancestor.
There are two genealogies of Christ:
---- From the Legal descent, Joseph’s side -- Matthew
1:1-17 -- Mathew traces Jesus’ line back to Abraham and David to
show that he was a Jew; and coming from David shows Jesus as of
royal descent, the King, the Messiah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,
the promised ruler of Israel.
----- From the Lineal descent, Mary’s side -- Luke 3:23--38
-- Luke traces Jesus’ line back to Adam to show that He belonged
to the human race as of human lineage, the ideal man, born of
woman.
Why are we concerned about genealogies?
They give us the key to the whole Life of Jesus. They show us,
from the very start, that He was not just another man, but that he
descended from a royal family, and that there was a king’s blood in His
veins. If He were not a King, He could not claim the ruleship of our
lives.
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 And if He were not a Man, He could not know “our sorrows” and
“be acquainted with our griefs.”
COMING OF THE KING: As presented by Matthew to the Jews.
The Gospel written by Matthew is opened with the genealogy of
Jesus. (And there is a purpose in writing the genealogy.) They give us
the key to the whole life of Jesus:
Matthew 1:1 From the genealogy of Jesus Christ we have known
after all that Jesus came from the line of Abraham which prove that
he really came from the lineage of the chosen people of God. As with
King David, it gives proof that he descended from a royal family; thus
proving to us that he had all the right to become the King of Jews and
King of our lives. He has all the power to claim his ruleship over our
lives.
From Abraham to King David –14 generations
---- From David to the deportation to Babylon until the Babylonian
exile—14 generations
--- From Babylon until Jesus’ birth –14 generations
THE NATIVITY – The Birth of Jesus – Matthew 1:18---2:12, Micah
5:2, Isaiah 9:6 is now to be fulfilled.
All the maps of the world and all the calendars of time tell of
Christ’s birthplace and birthday. We are also given names and dates
(Matthew 2:1) so that the Gospel does not begin with, “Once upon a
time” but starts in “Bethlehem in Judea”. Thus Christianity is an
historical religion. The Gospel narrative sets its record in the solid
foundation of history. We are not building our faith on a myth, but
substantial fact.
At long last, as the whole world at this time was expecting the
advent of a great One – a king who would rule the earth from
David’s throne – (Matthew 2:1) He was now born in Bethlehem of
Judea.
Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem to visit Jesus and worship
him and honor as King. - Persian Magi and astrologers/ scholars and
students of stars.
They were inquiring about the King of the Jews (2:2) and not the
Savior of the World.
The wise men were guided and led by a star seen in the East and
had halted over a manger in Bethlehem to tell of Christ’s birth. They
were led to a person not a creed.
The adoration of the wise men foreshadowed Christ’s universal
dominion (Philippians 2:10; Psalm 72:8) Galatians 4:4,5.
PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM- 3:1-16:20
At long last, after 30 years of preparation of his ministry, Jesus
is now ready for it. But before coming out, a forerunner had made his
way, out of which again fulfills a prophecy from Israel 40:3 This is
John the Baptist introduced by Isaiah -- a voice. This voice-is to herald
the coming of Jesus Christ –to prepare/to pave his way.
So the King’s coming must be announced to the people
(Matthew 3:2, 3).
It was the duty of this herald to go before a King; as a Roman
Officer before his ruler. He is commanded that the roads be prepared
over which his Master would travel. And John the Baptist did this –he
showed that the spiritual roads of the lives of men and nations were full
of chuckholes of sin and sharp turns of iniquity and needed rebuilding
and straightening. And many people responded with his call as they
followed him in water baptism.
*Jesus also went to him for baptism and in here we see the
King stepping from his personal and private life into His public
ministry.
Jesus, although the Son of God and sinless still went into baptism –
i.e., to fulfill all kinds of righteousness.
----- After baptism -- the heavens were opened and the Holy
Spirit descended upon Him like a dove and alighted and a voice from
heaven was heard saying, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am
well pleased.”
God is even declaring Jesus as His Son suited to become King in His
Kingdom.
Chapter 4—Jesus was then led by the spirit in the wilderness and faced
his first major conflict of His public ministry.
Satan offered Jesus a shortcut to that universal kingdom which He
had come to gain through the long and painful way across, but Christ
came as Savior first then a King How strong is the temptation to take
a short cut to our ambitions: Jesus stood victor, His shield undented
and untarnished. He went forth to conquer all other temptations until
his final victory and ascension to heaven as Lord of all. (1 Corinthian
10:13)
He was able to pass the test by proving himself worth of the
service of his Father.
The King’s Cabinet Mtt. 4:18 – 21
Jesus not only preached Himself but He gathered others
around Him. It was necessary to organize His Kingdom and put it on a
wider and more permanent basis and He must have subjects. He
would reflect His light through human instruments. He says in
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Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world.” Jesus still has a great
message for the world, and He needs us to carry it. Spiritual ideas
can’t stalk alone in the world and be of any value. They must be
clothed with men and institutions who will serve as hearts and brains,
hands and feet to carry them out. – He was calling men into his
companionship to train them to carry on His works – to continue and
extend His mission on Earth. Where did Jesus find His helpers? Not
in the Temple, among the doctors, or priests, nor the colleges of
Jerusalem; instead, he found them on the seashore mending their nets
for in I Corinthians 1:27 (read)
A list of the Disciples – Matt. 10:2—4; Great Message to the
People – Mtt. 10:7 (His mission started) Consider Mtt. 10:32,33
The Kingdom Laws: Matthew 5; 6; 7
(After Jesus had proven himself worthy of service to His
Father, He started his public ministry in Capernaum. He preached:
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
Now every kingdom must have its laws and standards to control its
subjects. The Kingdom of Heaven is no exception. He sets forth the
laws of the kingdom that describes the character of its subjects. He
elevated the Ten Commandments in the nth degree.
The two summation of the Ten Commandments:
1) Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and stregnth.
2) Love thy neighbor as you love yourself.
Jesus declared, “He came not to destroy the Law or the Ten
Commandments, but to fulfill it.”
The old law was good in its day. And with Jesus coming, he did
not destroy this old law but treated it as rudimentary and not as
perfect and final. For he says, “Any reform that starts on the outside
and works in is beginning at the wrong end.” “The only way of getting
a good life is first getting a good heart.” (inward change)
So, Christ starts on the inside and work out.
“Jesus preached the Sermon that contains the Laws of his
Kingdom on the lofty pulpit of the mountain. (Matthew 5, 6, 7) And
these teachings are embodied in His sermon on a Mount. The teachings
of this Sermon overtop all human teachings and if we actually practice
it in our lives.
If we let this rule operate in our lives, it will change all of our
personal relations, heal our social wounds, and solve every dispute
between nations and set the whole world in order.
The root of this law is kindness. If human society would have
its standards as theirs, the world would be set in order. One day filled
with it would be a bit of heaven. Love will reign instead of lawlessness.
----- The Sermon on the Mount sets forth the Constitution of the
Kingdom as Jesus defines the nature and limit of the Kingdom, the
condition for entrance; its laws, its privileges and rewards.
------ Fourteen times the King says, “I say unto you” this will reveal
Jesus’ authority as He deals with the Law of Moses. Men must not
only keep the law outwardly but in spirit as well. And notice the effect
on the people in Matthew 7:28,29.
The King’s Power –as Jesus preached and taught, he proclaimed
that the Kingdom of God is at hand which was true because the King
Himself was there.
Two Components of the Healing Ministry of Jesus:
1. Faith on the person being healed
2. Power of Jesus
Jesus, the King proved the special miracles which He wrought
(Matt. 8 -- 9). He met human needs. There are twelve astonishing
miracles in these two chapters, we read, “And all the people were
amazed, and said, “Is not this the son of David?” (Matthew 12:23)
The critical scribes now thrust themselves into the scene and
passed their hostile judgment on the actions of Jesus (Matthew 9:3).
The Kingdom was proclaimed “at hand” because the King Himself was
there.
The Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew 10:13
--- This is the theme of this book.
--- Kingdom of God is the Kingship of God over his creation
--- In Exodus 19:6 -- God said, “Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of
priests, and a holy nation.”
Israel at first was a theocracy. God was their King; they
formed His kingdom.
--- Jesus likened the kingdom of Heaven to (Matthew 13)
The Sawer, a Dragnet, Leaven in the Dough
The Fares A Hid Treasure
A Mustard Seed A Pearl of Great Price
----- These parables, called the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven
(Matthew 13:11), described what the result of the presence of the
Gospel of Christ in the world will be during this present age until the
time of His return when He will gather the harvest (Matthew 13:40-
43)
----- Kingdom of God in the past present and future.
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---- If we are to have a kingdom on this earth, with the laws, which
Christ set down, then we must have the King, Someday Christ will
come in power and great glory and establish His throne on this earth.
We will have peace when the Prince of Peace reigns!
(transformation-inward change –become a new being creation.)
Rejection of the King:
The sad story reads that “Christ came on His own and His own
received him not.” John 1:11.
The kingdom was first presented to the rightful heirs –the
children of Israel, but they refused the offer, rejected the King and
finally crucified Him.
In Matthew 21:43, Jesus announced that the Kingdom shall be
taken away from the Jews and given to another nation of which
offended the rulers, and they sought to lay hands on him. (Matthew
21:46)
*Why did they refuse the Kingdom?
*The world today is intensely longing for the golden age. A
millennium of peace and rest – is the great desire of diplomats and
rulers but they want it in their own way and on their own terms.
They try to bring it on their own efforts. And this was just so with the
Jews in the days of John the Baptist.
The Church Promised:
---- Only in Matthew’s Gospel is the “Church” named. When the
kingdom was rejected we find a change in the teachings of Jesus. He
began to talk about the church instead of the kingdom. (Matthew
16:18) Church comes from the Greek word “ecclesia” which means
“called out ones”. Because all would not believe on Him, Christ said
He was calling out anyone, Jew or Gentile to belong to His Church,
which is His Body. He began to build a new edifice, a new body of
people, which would include both Jew and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:14-
18).
Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-2—-- revelation of His true
identity
Life's most Important Question:
----- In Matthew 16:13 –When Jesus and His disciples were far away
from the busy scene in which they lived, Jesus asked His disciples the
question: “Whom do men say that I the son of man am?”
----- The disciples gave the answer men were giving. All agreed that
Jesus was an extraordinary person, at least a prophet. So that Jesus
now turned the general question into the sharp personal inquiry.
--“But whom say ye that I am?” (V. 15)
The general question, “What men think ye think of Christ?”
So, what men think determines what they do and are. The ideas men
hold about industry, wealth, government, morals and religion mold
society and alter lives. So what men think of Christ is the master
force in he world today and more than anything else influence its life
and thought.
Life's most Important Answer
---- V.16 “Though art the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” replied
Peter. --- It grasps Christ as the Messiah, the fulfillment of the
prophesies of the Old Hebrew prophets. This confession is great
because it exalts Christ as the Son of God and lifts Him above
humanity and crowns Him with deity. He reveals or disclose to these
handful of disciples new truths about His teachings.
---- V.18 –He said to Peter and Disciples, “Upon this rock I will build
this rock” and this is what Christ was going to do – build a Church of
which He Himself was to be the chief cornerstone. This CHURCH
was born on Pentecost (Acts 2).
Entrance to Jerusalem -- Triumph of the King:
---- Matthew 21:1 –28:20 --- Passover Feast – Holy week
On the morning of Psalm Sunday there was a stir In Bethany,
and along the road leading to Jerusalem.
---- Colt was used by Jesus as he entered Jerusalem which signifies
humility.
---- people were then gathering in crowds.
----*Procession started – This little parade could not have been
compared in magnificence with many a procession that has attended
the coronation of the King, or the inauguration of a president; but it
meant much for the world. Jesus for the first time permitted a public
recognition and celebration of His rights as Messiah or King. The
end was approaching with awful swiftness, and He must offer himself
as Messiah, even if only to be rejected.
The people in their enthusiasm tore off branches from the
palm and olive trees, and carpeted the highway while shouts rang
through the air. They believed in Jesus, and with all their warm and
Oriental enthusiasm were not ashamed of their King. In answer to
the crowds who asked, “Who is this?” they boldly answered, “This is
the prophet, Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.” It took courage to say
that in Jerusalem. Jesus was not entering the city as a triumphant
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 conqueror, as the Romans had done. No sword was in His hand.
Over His floated no bloodstained banner. His mission was salvation!
---- His hour had not yet come. Christ must be Savior first, then come
again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
---- Christ’s authority was brought into question as He went into the
temple and ordered the merchants out, overturning their tables and
telling them that they had made the House of God a den of thieves. A
bitter controversy followed. Then went the Pharisees, and took
counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. (Matthew 22:15). He
bade farewell to Jerusalem until He would come again to sit on
David’s throne.
The Future of the Kingdom:
----- He delivered His mount Olivet discourse. He foretold the condition
of the world after His ascension until He comes back in glory, to
judge the nations as to their treatment of His brethren, the Jews
(Matthew 25:31).
----- This is not the judgment of the Great White Throne, which is the
judgment of the wicked dead. Neither is it the judgment seat of
Christ (II Corinthians 5:10), which is the judgment of the saints
according to their works. It is the judgment of the Gentile nations
concerning their attitude toward God’s people.
---- Much of Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 24 and 25 is devoted to His
second coming. He exhorts men to be ready, in the parables of the
faithful servant, the 10 virgins and of the talents.
The Death and the Resurrection of the King:
We have been passing through some of the highlights in the life
of Jesus; now we step into the shadows as we enter Gethsemane. We
see the Son of Abraham, the Sacrifice, dying that all the nations of
the earth might be blessed by Him. Jesus was slain because he
claimed to be the king of Israel. He was raised from the dead because
he was the King (Acts 2:30-36). Although a large number of
disciples believed in Jesus and followed Him, the opposition of the
Jews were bitter and they determined to put Him to death. On the
grounds of blasphemy, and of claiming to be the King of the Jews,
thus making Himself the enemy of the Roman Emperor, Jesus was
delivered up by Pilate to be crucified.
---- Matthew is not alone in his record of the terrible circumstances of
the Savior’s passion; but He makes us feel that in the mock array, the
crown of thorns, the scepter, the title over the cross, we have a
witness though it be only scorn, to the kingly claim.
---- After hanging on the cruel tree for six hours, the Savior died, not
from physical suffering alone but of a broken heart, for he bore the
sins of the whole world. We hear his triumphant cry, “It is finished!”
He paid the debt of sin and became the world’s Redeemer!
Redemption Cost a Great Price!
The mode of the Messiah’s death had been foreshadowed by
various types and symbols in the Old Testament.
1) The brazen serpent in the wilderness signified that He was to be
lifted up.
2) The lamb upon the Jewish altar that His blood must be shed.
3) His hands and His feet were to be pierced.
4) He was to be wounded and tormented.
5) His ears were to be filled with reviling, upon His vesture were lots to
be cast and vinegar was to be given Him to drink.
6) Jesus was put in Joseph’s tomb, & on the third day He arose – This
is the supreme test of His Kingship.
Jeremiah 15:19
By Jesus’ resurrection –He assured his disciples that the King
still lived and that one day He will come back to establish His
kingdom on earth.
A World Wide Commission
Jesus announced His program and a crisis hour was struck in
the history of Christianity. The climax is found in His great
commission, “All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go
ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am
wit you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
----- On what mission were they sent?
To over run the world with armies and make men submit
under the sword?
No, but to “make disciples of all nations”