Matthew - Introduction (P2)

Let's begin ...

The Gospel of Matthew is one of the three synoptic gospels.  The other two are Mark and Luke.  That merely means that the three are similar.  They tell the story of Jesus' physical life on this earth.  Chronologically, the first one written was Mark.  And it is assumed that Mark was the prime source for Matthew and Luke. 

Some interesting numerical facts ...
     1.  nearly 90% of the material in Mark is reproduced in Matthew
     2.  Mark has 661 verses ... Matthew has 1068 ... Luke has 1149
     3.  Only 24 verses in Mark are not reproduced in Matthew or Luke

Mark's narrative is vivid, simple, direct.  It seems that Matthew takes that narrative and, with his Jewish-ness, expands on the narrative for a Jewish audience.  Luke takes the narrative and writes for a Greek audience. 

To the writer, Mark, we owe a debt of gratitude for recording many of the events in Jesus' life.
To the writer, Matthew, we owe a debt of gratitude for recording many of the teachings of Jesus.

Think for a few minutes about the apostles whom Jesus called.  Remember Peter, Andrew, James and John?  All fishermen - which would mean that they possessed little formal education and most likely, little academic and/or word craftmanship.  Enter Matthew ... the tax collector.  He would have been educated - a bookkeeper, organized.  And he uses his particular skills and abilities to tell the story of Jesus.  Do you use yours? 

We are going to see Matthew's interests as he writes.  A few of them ...

          * Matthew is Jewish and you are going to notice his passion for Old Testament prophecy and its fulfillment in Jesus.
          * Matthew has a very high opinion of the "Law".  He never denigrates it.  He always honors it.  And he is the writer that includes the most scathing words of Jesus against the ones who were abusing it.
          * Matthew is the only synoptic writer to use the word, "church".  In chapter 16 he records Jesus' affirmation of Peter when Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  Jesus' words were, "... upon this rock I will build my church."
          *  Matthew has apocalyptic interest.  He writes much about Jesus' second coming and last things.
          *  Matthew is a teacher.  He organized his writings so that they could be easy to remember.  There were not books for the common person.  His gospel is very systemized.  You are going to find groupings of threes and sevens.  Watch for them.
          *  Matthew's dominate theme:  Jesus is King

And we will follow this theme ... Jesus is King.  And King Jesus came to establish His Kingdom.  Our exploration of this book will be to see King Jesus and to learn how to be a citizen of His Kingdom.  What does that citizen look like?  How does she behave? 

Matthew begins his narrative with Jesus as "Son of David" ... Kingship
He ends his narrative with Jesus, himself, saying, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been give to me.  Therefore ..."

Let's pray that we will be willing to listen to this King ... to respond to this King ... to pay homage to this King. 

 Lord, give us fresh eyes to see You through this writing.

Open our eyes ... open our ears ... open our hearts.