Matthew

 

What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader?

The original readers of Matthew would have been a Jewish audience awaiting their Messiah to deliver them from Roman persecution. The Old Testament was quoted or eluded to more in Matthew than any New Testament book (approximately 130 times according to Nelson’s Pg. 242). This reveals the exclusively Jewish focus and desire of the author to portray the Messianic prophecies fulfillment in Jesus. The Jews were awaiting a king to come and rescue them from their oppressors the Romans, in the similar ways they were rescued from Egypt and Babylon but they were majorly missing it. Jesus came to rescue the Jews from the old covenant, not abolishing it but fulfilling it. But still the people “…refuse to listen” (Matthew 12:40). Even John the Baptist exercised this idea as clear as day, showing the Jews they no longer are saved because of their relationship to Abraham, but now because of believing in Jesus and repenting of their sins.

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendant of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 3:8-10

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Although disputed, I believe Matthew authored the book of Matthew. He was a Jewish and would have understood the law and also the challenges the Jewish people would have in recognizing the Messiah. Matthew shares his first, personal encounter of meeting Jesus in a straight forward way, as If it was his own experience (Mtt. 9:9-13). “Matthew would have written in the middle of the first century, probably only a few decades after the events of Jesus’ life and ministry, but before the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70” (SourceView Pg. 1235)

What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the main idea?

WAKE UP YOUR MESSIAH IS HERE!!! The word “fulfilled” or in other words “accomplish” if frequently used in reference to Jesus being the fulfillment of the promised Messiah and coming to accomplish His purpose of establishing a new covenant (Matthew 5:17, 16:16). A theme is revealing that Jesus is the Messiah and fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. “I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple!” (Matthew 12:6) “’You are the Messiah, the son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16)

What is the primary reason this book was written?

This book was written to reveal to the Jews that there long awaited Messiah has come and to help them  realize Jesus was their King. The genealogy that introduces Matthew goes to Abraham, revealing Jesus as the fulfillment: “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac…” (Mtt. 1:1-2) A few chapters later though; John warns them that their relation to Abraham will not save them when he says “’We’re safe for we are descendant of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham form these very stones.” (Mtt. 3:9)The Old Testament prophecies are quoted in hopes they will realize the truth about Jesus. A verse that displays this idea of revealing the Messiah in a way the Jews would recognize Him is in Matthew 13:13-15:

For they will look, but they don’t really see.

They hear, but don’t really listen or understand.

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 hear them.”

What does this book show about the character & nature of God:

Matthew reveals Jesus as the King of the Jews, The Savior, and Deliverer and long awaited Messiah, prophet and a teacher. Something really interesting that stuck out to me in Matthew is Jesus as a friend! Its so precious his bromance with his disciples.

What does this book reveal about God’s redemptive Plan:

I CANT BELIEVE THE FULFILLMENT OF JESUS IS IN MATTHEW! “All the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time.” (Mtt. 11:13) Now the redemptive plan of Jesus is fulfilled, so God’s redemptive plan shifts onto the church and the new nation to accept Christ and walk into that. We see a new standard of living set with Christ coming in chapter seven.

Personal Application: The application we did in class was really amazing and helped transition into Matthew. We wrote who Jesus was in each gospel. In Matthew He's revealed as King of the Jews, in Mark He's revealed as Obedient Servant, in Luke revealed as the Perfect Man, and in John as the Son of Man. Then, we would take the one we most associated with and write a word that describes Jesus to us. I said "Lover of my soul."

Point of Passion:
The power of words we speak and the way they show what's really in our hearts is revealed; and would be a powerful truth for oppressed women. To understand that they can begin speaking life and truth over themselves that will transform them into women of God. This wonderful truth is found in Matthew 15:18-19.