Matthew 28:16-20

We are beginning to post studies from the Gospel of Matthew.  We have posted on the Gospels quite often.  Here are the sections of Matthew we have already posted, and where these can be found on our blog, https://ronandcindy.blogspot.com/.

·        Matt. 1-2 as part of our studies on the “Birth of Christ”, 11/27/14-1/1/15.

·        Matt. 5-7 in the Sermon on the Mount series, 7/13-8/17/2015.

·        Matt. 21:12-25:46 in our studies on the “Passion Week”, 6/8-7/13/18.

·        Matt. 26-27 in our studies on the “Death of Christ”, 7/14-8/20/18.

·        Matt. 28 in our studies on the “Resurrection of Christ”, 2/15-3/29/15.

As you see we have not studied together Matt. 3-4 and 8:1-21:11. This is where we are headed, as the Lord wills.

Let us step back and view the Gospel of Matthew in its entirety.  Matthew is one of the “Synoptic” gospels, along with Mark and Luke.  They share many similarities.  But each also shows evidence of their targeted audiences.  Let us note one example that shows the differences.

·        Matthew 1 contains the genealogy of Christ that places Him in the line of David and Abraham.  Matthew presents Christ as the King of Israel.

·        Luke 3 contains the genealogy of Christ that places Him in humanity, going back to Adam.  This fits Luke’s audience, specifically a Greek named Theophilus, and generally to the Greek culture that dominated the Roman Empire.

·        Mark contains no genealogy at all.  He writes to the Roman audience and presents Jesus as the Servant, and in Rome the genealogy of a slave was irrelevant.

We believe that understanding Matthew, the arrangement of the stories and the specific discourses the Holy Spirit led him to include is best understood in his presentation of Jesus to Israel as their King.  Thus we have this outline for Matthew:

Ø Presentation of the King (1:1-4:11).  Christ is presented in the genealogy, in the stories of His birth, and in the ministry of John the Baptist.  Matthew’s focus on the constant fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies fits the Jewish audience.

Ø Proclamation of the King (4:12-16:20).  Jesus presents Himself as Israel’s King.  The Sermon on the Mount is His “platform”, the way life will be in His Kingdom.  Mt. 8-9 show Jesus’ signs that establish His claim.  He chooses the Twelve, and by Mt. 12 His rejection by the Shepherds of Israel becomes clear. Mt. 13-16 show Jesus preparing His disciples for their post-ascension ministry. 

Ø Passion of the King (16:21-28:20).  This section begins when Jesus begins to tell His disciples that He will go to Jerusalem, suffer, die and be raised from the dead.  Those events make up the closing chapters of Matthew.

We are praying for strength and discipline as we write; and for all to be drawn to Christ, the exalted Son of God to Whom God the Father has made Heir of the Nations.