Matthew | Fulfillment of Prophecy

The original readers of Matthew are quite obviously the Jews. You can tell beca

use there are so many Old Testament prophecies quoted (53) and they "supported the claims believers had been making about Jesus." (SV) He made a case for Jesus being the "long awaited Jewish Messiah." Nelson's says that this gospel "serves as a bridge, connecting the two Testaments" because it so clearly "emphasizes Jesus' relation to the OT." (pg300) During the Intertestamental period the synagogues were established and different "denominations" among the Jewish people, for example, the Pharisees and Sadducees. Everything Jesus says stumps and offends them and Matthew showcases why Jesus is the King and the bearer of the new covenant; that the Pharisees are wrong and hard hearted. (22:46) They failed to lead the people and teach the scriptures. "Didn't you ever read this in the Scriptures?" (21:42) Lost sheep without a shepherd.

Nowhere does it say that Matthew was the author of this book though Nelson's says that "since the second century A.D. church tradition has recognized Matthew…as its writer." (300) And it makes sense because it would have to be a Jew, because of all of the Jewish emphasis, and it would have to have been someone closely linked to Jesus. Matthew was first spotted by Jesus when he was "sitting at his tax collectors booth" and he followed Jesus immediately, inviting Him to his house. (9:9) Matthew is said to have been written "before the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70…in the middle of the first century." (SV) In 27:8 it says, "That is why the field is still called…" and in 28:15 it says, "The story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today." These two phrases tell us that some time had passed since the book was written. Matthew is the most prophetic focused of the four gospels. 

One of the repeated ideas in Matthew is the "kingdom of heaven," Nelson's says that it "occurs thirty-two times in this Gospel, but nowhere else in the New Testament." (301) My favourite verse about the Kingdom of Heaven is when Jesus says, "And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing." (11:12) In chapter 13 Jesus uses the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" seven times. He describes it in parables as a merchant, treasure, yeast, mustard seed, farmer, fishing net and someone who is a disciple of it, a homeowner with "new gems of truth as well as old." (13:52) It permeates and separates the good from the wicked, it is of great value. A main theme in this book is Jesus' authority. In 7:28,29 it says, "…the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for He taught with real authority, quite unlike their teachers or religious law." In 8:26,27 Jesus rebukes the storm and it is stilled, the disciples say,"Who is this man? Even the winds and waves obey Him." He was sent to earth with/by the ultimate authority and had the absolute right to forgive and heal and teach the law. (also 9:6,8) It amazed the people and offended the religious leaders. Then in 10:1, Jesus gave authority to His disciples "to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness." He shared His authority and empowered the disciples to do what He did. How incredible is that! He was given "all authority in Heaven and on earth!" (28:18) A one sentence summary of the main idea would be: Jesus came and fulfilled prophecy after prophecy to bridge the gap between God and His people, once and for all. 

The primary reason this book was written was to address the Jewish audience, to "offer irrefutable proof that the long awaited Jewish Messiah had come to inaugurate God's kingdom on earth." (SV) After 400 years of silence and even more years of waiting for their Saviour, they needed to know that Jesus was their King and that all of those prophecies so long ago were fulfilled in Him. Nelson's says that the total of "Old Testament quotations and allusions" is "almost 130." (301) Yes, that would prove his point very well. It makes me so sad to think that the vast majority of Jews still don't see it. 

Undoubtedly I see God the Father's amazing love in Matthew. In 3:17 God says, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy." I love how He tells the people who He is with such beautiful words of affection. God the Father has few speaking parts and the red text is dominantly God the Son. Jesus is full of compassion. Often it says that when He saw them "He had compassion on them" (9:36,14:14), in 20:34, "Jesus felt sorry for them…" and this is really the only warm feeling I can see in Jesus as portrayed by Matthew. 

God sent His only Son to save and bring in the new covenant! He brought the Messiah to His people, the day has finally arrived! He is faithful and finishes what He started. The torch is passed and now God activates 'Final mission to save my people: Jesus edition.' I love it! Reading Matthew I was overwhelmed by all of the prophecies being fulfilled! In 21:4,5 it says, "This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, '…Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey…" and SO many other prophecies! Jesus says, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (20:28) Ah! God's ultimate redemptive plan in the flesh! 

Matthew hit a strong chord with me when I came to 6:25-34. Jesus says, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life…look at the birds…look at the lilies…And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers…he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?" Coming here was a big step of faith and now that God has provided for my school fees, etc I find myself running low financially and with that comes worry and a bit of sadness. I feel restricted in what freedoms I can have off campus and I question the near future bills I have to pay. It's not a good feeling. But God in His beautiful timing has brought in this book and has really been teaching me to trust Him and lean on Him because He is my provider. Everything I have is from Him anyway, so why should I doubt or have so little faith when He has never failed me before? "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (6:33) This is the verse I am writing on my heart, that it would sink in and cause me to cling to the One who knows every need; daily and future.  

Matthew starts and ends with a group of people worshiping Jesus. What struck me was that the first time, Jesus hadn't done anything yet. He was a baby, a newborn who spent His time nursing and sleeping; yet He received praise. "They entered the house and saw the child with his mother…they bowed down and worshiped him." (2:11) The wise men knew He was worthy of praise, I don't know where they heard about Him being the King, but they travelled far because He was of significance to them. Then at the end of Matthew 28:17 says, "When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some of them doubted." He was resurrected and appeared to His disciples and yet there were doubters! But there were also worshipers! His birth was a miracle and His "rebirth" was a miracle, from the start of His life to the end of His life He was worshiped. Of course! Even if Jesus doesn't do a thing in our lives He is worthy of praise. Even in our doubt He is worthy of praise. We should never worship Jesus only when He does something for us. If He never did another miracle in our lives He would still be deserving of our constant praise.