Matthew 27:37

The Gospel of Matthew was specifically written to Jews. It sets out to show that Jesus was the Christ, the rightful King of the Jews. It shows Him as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy by quoting from it about 130 times. He even refers to prophetic speculation in chapter two, verse twenty three, that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. While Matthew uniquely uses the term Kingdom of Heaven thirty two times in place of what the other Gospel writers refer to as the Kingdom of God, it should not be seen as a certain teaching that exclusively refers to the Jews (as some "Dispensationalists" teach).

1. What does the term Kingdom of Heaven also mean?

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2. Why was this expression only used by Jews?

a) Because they dreamed of heaven on earth.

b) Because Matthew mis-heard Jesus, due to the Hebrew word for "God" being almost identical to the word for "heaven".

c) Because of the Jews reverence for the name of God, they had made it common practise to exchange references for God to Heaven.

Matthew is also known as the 'Kingdom Gospel'. Its main emphasis is the Kingship of Christ.

3. What was Christ recognised as, even at the time of his birth? (Matthew 2:2)

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4. To whom was this question in Matthew 2:2 addressed, and why would that person have felt threatened?

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5. Based on the passage found in Jeremiah 23:5-6 -

a) Who is Jeremiah 23:5-6 refering to?

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b) What would happen to Judah because of this person?

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c) What would He be called?

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6. What is the Messiah called in Zechariah 9:9 ? What description of his entrance seems out of place for people of such positions?

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Nowhere in this Gospel do we read that Matthew was the author. The only reference to Matthew being the writer is indicated in the title 'According to . . .' which was probably added later. His authorship has never been successfully disputed, despite some scholars claiming that Matthew merely gave an Aramaic (another language) outline for some/someone to base a Greek translation on. It has also been suggested that Matthew actually based his book on the Gospel of Mark, believed to be the first Gospel written. They claim Matthew, who had earlier written some of the sayings of Christ, then set about to write specifically to Jews. Most modern scholars, however, reject part of this view by concluding that Matthew probably did write an earlier manuscript in Aramaic, but also wrote this Greek manuscript afresh.

7. Some have wondered why someone as intimate with Christ, as Matthew would have been, would write in such an impersonal way. What was Matthew's profession and why might this give us a clue as to his style of writing? (refer to Mtt. 9:9)

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8. How did Jews feel about members of this profession?

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9. Could this suggest to you a reason why his Gospel is so impersonal?

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TEN POINT OUTLINE

(i) Joseph's Genealogy Mtt. 1

(ii) Temptation of Christ Mtt. 4

(iii) Beatitudes Mtt. 5-7

(iv) He Who Loses Will Find Mtt. 10

(v) I Will Give You Rest Mtt. 11

(vi) Parables of the Kingdom Mtt. 13

(vii) I Will Build My Church Mtt. 16

(viii) The Great Commandment Mtt. 22

(ix) Second Coming Mtt. 24

(x) Resurrection Mtt. 28

Matthew 1

Ironically this would have to be the most read part of the Bible yet least appreciated. Thousands of people around the world commence their spiritual trek for Truth by looking to the New Testament only to find a lot of 'begats' and 'born to's.

Immediately Matthew opens with the purpose of the books The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Note how he opens with the title of Jesus- the Christ. This was significant to the Jew who was looking for the long awaited Messiah. The fact that Jesus could also trace His family tree was also vitally important to the Jew.

10. What happened to the people in Nehemiah 7:61-64 ?

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The Jews were seemingly obsessed with lineage. Everyone was 'bar' someone, that is 'the son of ...' For example- Simon Barjona. In the opening verse, two others are mentioned with Christ- David and Abraham. It was a prophetic fact that the Christ would be descended from David and take up his throne and establish an everlasting Kingdom. While the Jews were looking for an immediate, literal, political/military Kingdom, Jesus came to establish a spiritual Kingdom. The basis of entry into this Kingdom was faith. The Father of faith was Abraham. Thus Jesus is linked with both David and Abraham.

11. Who is God talking to in Genesis 12:1-3 ?

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12. Whom is God prophesying of in that same text ?

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In the Hebrew language, David's name is actually 'DWD' (since their are no deliberate vowels, only inflections, in ancient Hebrew). In their numerics, DWD equals 14.

13. Note verse 17, what is the re-occuring number of generations ?

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14. What is the significance of this ?

(a) None.

(b) Fourteen selected generations by three time periods, emphasizes the Messiahship of Jesus.

(c) Even though there were more generations in Christ's genealogy, Matthew has deliberately only taken fourteen to point to Jesus being the rightful heir of King David.

d) Both (b) and (c).

Consider Joseph. What a man of character! Apart from one other minor reference he is never mentioned again. God must have been preparing this man to be the adopted father of His son for some time. He was not picked at random. He had to be exactly what he was . . . a Hebrew; a descendant of David; home-town of Bethlehem; a settler of the town of Nazereth; a man of character; a man with a willingness to obey God; a physically strong man; and a man of incredible wisdom.

Matthew makes it clear that Jesus was the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy about the Messiah being born of virgin girl. While Isaiah's prophecy could refer to a young woman, since the Hebrew word for "virgin" and "young woman" are interchangeable, Matthew (writing in Greek) uses the exclusive Greek word for virgin to describe Jesus' mother. Unlike Romanists, who believe that Mary was born, and lived, without sin (Immaculate Conception), the Bible presents Mary as one who also needed a Saviour (Lk. 1:47). Rather than the belief that she was a perpetual virgin, the Bible presents her as the mother of at least six children (Mark 6). Two of these children of Mary, despite their initial skepticism of their half-brother, became New Testament authors (James and Jude). While the New Testament is silent about the life of Mary beyond the Gospels, Romanists promote a self-created legend that Mary ascended to heaven without dying. Apart from Enoch and Elijah, who "died" differently to any other Biblical character, the Bible says that all people will die (Heb. 9:27). This includes Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Romanists believe that Mary is the Mediator between God and mankind. The Bible says that there is only One Mediator between God and mankind (1 Timothy 2:5).

Matthew 4

From chapters one to four, Matthew is establishing the credibility of who Jesus is and His right to make any Kingly claims. In chapter four Christ encounters the Devil face to face. This is clearest statement in the Bible of the personality of Satan. While the three direct references in the Old Testament to the Devil (Gen. 3; Job 1, 2; 1 Chron. 21:1) could be seen by more liberal scholars as either legendary or mythological, this narrative in Matthew 4 is unequivocal in revealing that the Devil is a person, not a mere "force", or "universal evil". Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil, sin and its fruit, rather than destroying the Devil himself at this point (1Jn. 3:6). Ultimately when all the redeemed of the Lord are delivered from this world, the Devil will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity as the Lord begins final Judgment (Rev. 20:10).

15. (a) Some have suggested that it was merely quoting the Word of God to Satan by Jesus that led to His victory over him. Perhaps you know some people who know the Word of God and might even be able to quote to you, but live a defeated life filled with sin and failure. Knowing the Word is mandatory for all true believers, but what is more important than knowing the Word? (Refer to James 1:22)

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(b) Did Jesus defeat the Devil by merely quoting the Word, or was it by obeying the Word He was quoting? Explain-

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16. What is the implication of Matthew 4:11? (Compare various translations)

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Jesus wasn't free from temptation. In this encounter with the Devil, He identifies with man and gives man the solution to temptation: submit to God whole-heartedly without compromising His Word.

17. What would have happened if Christ had yielded to the Devil ?

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Matthew 5-7

From Matthew 5 to Matthew 16:12, we have Christ's teaching on the Kingdom. Chapters 5 - 7 are called the Beatitudes. In these are found the ethical requirements for conduct in the Kingdom. They take only 15 minutes to read, yet have stirred men to preach countless sermons, and write innumerable books about their content. Jesus commences this series by "sitting down and opening His mouth" (verses 1-2). This was the common posture for a teacher in this eastern culture and can still be seen today amongst that same culture. The expression "opening His mouth" may appear to be an obvious thing to say, but to the Hebrew it was the announcement that something great was about to be taught.

18. What similarity do you notice about verses 3-11 ?

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19. How is this contrasted by Matthew in chapter 23, verses 13-29 ?

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Matthew 10

In this section Jesus is still giving instructions for Kingdom living. There are however in this chapter some profound and apparent contadictions.

20. This chapter gives some marvelous insights for witnessing to a hard hearted unbeliever that they should accept Jesus into their heart because He will fill them with peace, what would your instruction be to that witness based on verse 34 ?

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Matthew 11

The Sabbath issue flared continually between Jesus and the pharisees. They saw the sabbath only in terms of being a law designed to somehow appease God. But the heart of the Father was to give man a gift within the Law that served two basic functions-

(i) Firstly, it was to point to the Cross where all the work of mans salvation would be completed, and man could rest from striving to work out the requirements of the Law (NB. Heb.4)

(ii) Secondly, it served as a practical rest from the rigors of a long Hebrew working week (sun-up till sun-down six days a week).

What Christ did through the Cross and His resurrection, was to pay the price the Law demanded for sin (Col. 2:14). This has now given us access to the Father where we can now know Him. From knowing Him we draw rest and peace (NB. the context of verse 28 is in verse 27). Rest comes not from from being busy for God, but by knowing Him. Our purpose is not primarily to serve God, its to know God. Prayer should never become a laborious work where all we do is ask God for things, it should be the vehicle for getting to know God. If I was to ask you two questions, which one would you find easiest to answer: 1. When was the last time you did something for God? 2. When was the last time you received a revelation about God from God, that helped you to know Him better?

Matthew 13

In this section we have seven illustrations about the kingdom of God. In each of the parables there is a strong overtone of judgment to come.

21. Without being judgmental, what would you think of a person 'who-accepts-Jesus-into-their-heart' at a rally where the emphasis was on hype, excitement, fun, and 'joy', based on the message of Matthew 13:20-21?

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*NOTE : Many of the benefits of the Christian life are very legitimate to those who are already a Christian. But to use these as an attraction to win the unsaved is neither wise nor lawful. Blessings such as peace, prosperity, good health, answered prayers, safety, spiritual gifts, fellowship and needs being abundantly met, are all the undeniable promises of God to the Christian. A Christian witness would do well to learn the essence of Mtt.10:34, 38.

Matthew 16

In this chapter we find the first mention of Church. The concept of the Church in the Scriptures was given by revelation to Paul the Apostle. We must understand that the Church is God's idea and not man's. In verse 18 we find who the Builder of the true Church is despite the claims of many well meaning 'church-builders'.

22. In verses 13-15 is a two part question. This is significant because it comes before Christ mentions the Church. What is the significance ?

a) Entry into the Church is dependent on personal knowledge of Christ, as the Saviour and Son of God.

b) A person must recognise that Jesus is either a prophet, a teacher, or a pretty good person.

c) It's important to have a view about Christ.

Matthew 22