The Gospel of Matthew

The crux of the gospel:

God
Offering
Sinful
People
Eternal
Life

Matthew was for a long time the church’s “favourite” gospel. It contains one of the fullest accounts of Jesus’ life and teaching (the other gospels are Mark, Luke and John). Most of what is inside Mark’s gospel can be found in Matthew. Matthew arranges everything by topic, especially the teachings of Jesus. He organizes it into 5 sections, each rounding off with the saying “When Jesus finished saying these things …”

1 Sermon on the Mount, concerning the character, duties, privileges and destiny of the believer in Christ
(Ch 5 – 7)
2 Instructions for mission (Ch 10 – 11:1)
3 Parables about the Kingdom of heaven (Ch 13)
4 Teaching on discipleship (Ch 18)
5 Teaching about the end of age and the coming Kingdom (Ch 24 – 25)

Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience sometime after AD 80. One of his key concerns is to show that Jesus’ first coming had fulfilled the promises God gave in the Old Testament. He quoted extensively from Old Testament texts (abt 130 direct or indirect references can be identified). He wanted to reveal the blindness of the Jewish leaders who had waited for the Messiah but missed him when he came. Matthew showed that Christians are the true inheritors of the Old Testament promise.

As we approach Christmas and commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us be reminded of what Scriptures tell us about Jesus:
(i) He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary’s womb (1:18, 20, 25).
(ii) His mission was to save people from their sins (1:21).
(iii) He came in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (1:22-23).
(iv) He was born a king in humble circumstances (2:1-2).

Christ has a kingdom which is not of this world. It is a kingdom in the spiritual realm which He often spoke about in his parables. You and I can be a part of that glorious kingdom when we put our faith in Jesus, trusting Him as our personal Lord and Saviour. This Christmas, make Christ the centre of your celebration by inviting Him into your heart and allowing Him to lead and guide you all the days of your life.
Wishing you all a Christ-centred Christmas!