Reading: Heb 4:11-14

Songs: Gal 4:4-5

Theme: Understanding the focus of Matthew's account of the life of Christ

1. Introduction
   1. The purpose of the Bible: is the redemption of mankind. From the Old Testament we learn God means what he says or stands by his word. From the New Testament we learn that there victory only in Christ. The Old Testament tells us Christ was to come. The New Testament: Matthew-John - tell us Christ has come and Acts and the rest of the Bible, that Christ will again come.
   2. The New Testament books and letters can be subdivided into four distinct categories,commonly the first one called “The Gospel Accounts” (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Though so called, it should be noted that in spite of the common name for this group of books, “the Gospels,” there is only one gospel (consider Eph 4:4-6).
   3. The Gospel Accounts introduce the reader to Jesus the savior, and give us a brief glimpse of The Life Of Christ or what it is about him we are to believe. Each gospel account portrayed Jesus differently.
   4. It may seem unusual that Matthew (son of Alphaeaus and was also called Levi) was chosen as an apostle and one of the writers of the gospel accounts, because he was a publican or a tax collector. Tax collectors worked for Rome and as long as the Roman government received the amount in taxes it specified, the agent could collect whatever amount he chose. Tax collectors became rich at the expense of their own people. In the Jewish mind, tax collectors were traitors. Consequently the Jews hated the tax collectors and considered them as they did: sinners (Mat 9:10-11); harlots (Mat 21:31-32) and Gentiles (Mat 18:17). However, Matthew’s good response to Jesus’ call indicated a heart that had been seeking for the messiah and not just worldly gain (Luk 5:27-29).
   5. Matthew’s account was written to a Jewish audience. Through four hundred years of silence from God, the Jews had waited for the messiah, the "anointed one," promised before by the prophets. In addition, after more than six hundred years of no one sitting on the throne of David as prophesied (2Sam 7:27-29; 1Ki 9:5). Having tired of bondage under various nations, then, under the oppression of the Roman empire, the Jews had been waiting for a leader, a king. Therefore, Matthew portrayed Jesus as both that prophesied of messiah and king. Of the four gospel accounts, Matthew’s account best connected the Old Testament prophecies with their fulfillment in the New Testament. In the Book of Matthew, the Old Testament prophecies were shown to have culminated in Jesus. Fifty-three times Matthew quoted directly from the Old Testament, and several times he declared an event took place "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet" (Mat 1:22; 2:15, 23; 4:15; 18:7; 12:17; 13:
   6. 35; 21:4; 26:56; 27:35). The key verse to Matthew’s account is Matthew 16:13-20.
   7. There are five great discourses in the book (Mat 5-7;10;13; 18; 24-25). Each of these end with the phrase “when Jesus had ended these sayings” (Mat 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). In between these five discourses are narrative sections leading up to each discourse.
   8. The date of the writing of Matthew’s account was most likely between 40 A.D. and 68 A.D., between the dispersion of the disciples from the persecution in Jerusalem which began with the murder of Stephen (Act 7; 8;1-4) and the death of Nero, the Roman emperor (68 A.D.) Such a date allowed for the writing of Matthew’s account, its dispersal among the Christian communities and their preparation to flee before the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.)
   9. Let’s survey Matthew’s account of Christ’s life.
   
   
   
2. The King Revealed (Matthew 1:1-10:42).
   1. His Person (1:1-3:)
      1. Matthew began his account by giving the genealogy of Jesus whom he calls “the son of David, the son of Abraham” (1:1) and "the Christ," (1:17). Matthew traced Jesus’ lineage from the patriarch Abraham (to whom the promises were made - Gen 12:3), through David the king (1:6), to Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father.
      2. Jesus’ genealogy established him as a legitimate descendent of David and as the rightful candidate to the throne (1:1-17).
         1. God had promised Abraham that kings would come from him (Gen.12:1-3).
         2. David was a fulfillment of that promise.
            1. To David, God promised that his seed would sit upon the throne of Israel forever (2Sa 7:5-17).
            2. However, God later prophesied that Coniah (2Ki 24:8, 15) the king of Israel (also called Jechoniah - 1Ch 3:16; Jehoiachin - Jer 22:24; Jeconias - Mat 1:11-12) would have no descendents who would sit on the throne of Israel.
            3. Joseph was a descendent of Coniah (Jeconias - Mat 1:11-12) .
               1. If Jesus had been the physical son of Joseph, Jeconiah's curse would have been passed on to Jesus and he would not have been able to inherit the throne.
               2. Jesus was in the kingly line of Jeconias through Joseph (as well as through Mary) and though not physically of Joseph’s lineage was through Joseph, “legally” eligible to rule over Israel.
               3. The prophecy to David, and particularly Coniah, was fulfilled and yet God was still able to give the throne to Jesus a descendant of Coniah.
               4. Since Jesus is in heaven and his kingdom is not of this world, his kingdom is not physical.
               5. It should easily be seen that pre-millennialism is incorrect in asserting Jesus will return to the earth to set up a kingdom.
               6. It is remarkable that God was able to keep his promise to King David while at the same time hold to his prophecy of Coniah.
            4. Only Matthew recorded the visit of the wise men to see “he that is born King of the Jews” (Mat 2:2).
      3. In addition:
         1. Eight times Jesus was called “Son of David” in other words the heir to the throne.
         2. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you a king? (Mt. 27:10f).
         3. Over the cross the words were written, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Mt. 27:37).
      4. The announcement of Jesus' then coming birth was unique and straight out the Old Testament scriptures (1:18-25).
      5. His birth and infancy fulfilled prophecy in every detail (2:1-12).
         1. Noticeably absent from Matthew’s account is any detail of Jesus’ birth.
         2. They reason for that was the focus of Matthew’s account.
         3. The wise men came seeking him was “born King of the Jews” (2:2), a fact which disturbed “Herod the king” at the consideration he might have a rival for the throne.
         4. Consequently, Jesus’s earthly parents were told to take him away for his protection (2:13-23).
      6. God the Father and God the Spirit confirmed Jesus as the son of God, to John the Baptist (3:13-17).
      7. Later John was able then to point out that Jesus was the lamb of God or the messiah (Joh 1:29).
      8. Baptism was for the remission of sins yet, Jesus who had no sin (see Act 22: 16; also Hebrews 4:15) submitted to it out of obedience to God’s word.
      9. In the flesh, as is expected of all in the flesh, he submitted to God’s word which included baptism in order to fulfill all righteousness (Mat 3:15).
      
      
   2. His Purpose (4:12-7:29)
      1. Jesus demonstrated his determination to fulfill his purpose by successfully battling the devil (4:1-11).
         1. At his lowest physical point Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert where he was tempted by the devil.
         2. Jesus demonstrated also his obedience, quoting Old Testament references to God’s will.
         3. Jesus was tempted in all points even as we are, yet without sin (Heb 4:15)
         4. He was tempt with the lust of the flesh (turning the stones to bread), a lust of the eyes (receive the kingdoms of the world), and the pride of life (casting himself down from the top of the temple in order to prove himself to the devil) (1Jo 2:15-17).
         5. As Jesus was successful in fighting sin so can we by holding in obedience to God’s word.
      2. Following his test by the devil Jesus began his public ministry.
      3. At that time he began to choose his disciples.
      4. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus defined the make up of his kingdom (Mat 5-7).
      5. His sermon stands unrivaled by any speech or lesson given by any other person on the topic of not just in building a proper relationship with God but also with one's fellow man.
      6. Jesus went beyond the external behaviors of man and looked into their hearts.
      7. His kingdom was made up of people not property (5:1-16).
      8. His kingdom was made up of precepts (5:17-48; 5:1-16)
      9. His kingdom was made up of practices (6-7:12).
         1. They affected worship and everyday living (cf. Rom 12:1; Gal 2:20; Ti 2:11-12).
         2. His kingdom was made up those who had proven themselves (7:12-29)
      10. Not only was Jesus a king with a kingdom but he was also a powerful king.
      
      
   3. His Power (8-10)
      1. God had confirmed Jesus to John and with a great list of miracles God confirmed Jesus to all men (Joh 10:37-28; 14:11).
      2. With his miracles he proved himself to have power over disease (8:1-22; 9:20-22).
      3. With his miracles he proved himself to have power over nature (8:23-2 8:27; Mar 4:41; Luk 8:25).
      4. With his miracles he proved himself to have power over evil (8:28-34).
      5. With his miracles he proved himself to have power over sin (9:1-13)
      6. With his miracles he proved himself to have power over death (9:18-19, 23-26).
      7. With his miracles he proved himself to have power over sight (9:27-31).
      8. With his miracles he proved himself to have power (9:32-34).
      9. Consequence to the demonstration of his power he was able to teach people and “went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (9:35-38).
         1. Teaching the gospel is a vital part of the salvation of all people (Rom 10:17).
         2. Jesus told his disciples, “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest (Mat 9:38).
         3. Having chosen his closest disciple he sent them out to commanding them to teach that, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (10:7).
         4. He was getting close to coming into his kingdom.
         5. He told his disciples not to fear and neither should we (10:28, 32-33).
   
   

   Transition: As with any king and kingdom there were those who opposed Jesus’ kingship.
   
   

3. The King Rejected (Matthew 11-27),
   1. The Progression (11-13)
      1. The hint of Jesus rejection was first noticed through John the Baptist who questioned whether Jesus was the ”that should come, or do we look for another” (11:2-3).
         1. Jesus pointed John to the miracles for proof (4-5).
         2. Jesus said, “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me” (6).
      2. In chapter twelve the Pharisees charged Jesus with having worked miracles by the power of the devil (12:22-32).
      3. In chapter thirteen Jesus gave the parable of the sower, explaining to the disciples why he spoke in parables and explained that the areas on which the seed fell were the hearts of men. The seed was the word of God (13:1-23).
         1. He told various other parables regarding the kingdom.
         2. He also told a parable the kingdom being like a hidden treasure or pearl, either of which was found to describe the attitude all should have in seeking the kingdom (13:44-46; 6:33).
      4. Also in chapter thirteen we learn that even the people of his own country rejected him (13:54-58).
      5. In chapter fourteen a paranoid Herod heard about Jesus and thought Jesus was a resurrected John the Baptist whom Herod had beheaded to please his wife and stepdaughter (14)
      6. The Scribes and Pharaisees started following Jesus accusing him of breaking the traditions of the elders (15)
      7. In the sixteenth chapter, the Scribes and Pharisees tempted Jesus to prove himself to them by a miracle (16:1-4).
         1. It was at this point that Jesus asked his disciple what they thought him.
            1. “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (16:16).
            2. Following Peter’s confession Jesus said he would build his church and that gates of Hell (Hades) would not prevail against it.
            1. The first occurrence of Jesus’ use of the word “church” is with Peter’s confession (Mt. 16:16-19).
            2. Matthew is the gospel of the king's kingdom or the church.
            3. By telling Peter he would receive the keys to the kingdom, Jesus made it clear the his church and kingdom are the same.
         2. Earlier Jesus had asked his chosen disciples if they too would leave him (Joh 6:65-69).
         3. Though many rejected Jesus, Matthew showed that God’s plan of salvation was with Jesus. (cf. Joh 14:6).
      
      
   2. The Plan (16:21-20:28)
      1. Cross before Crown (16:21-17:27).
         1. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day” (16:21).
         2. Even Peter tried to reject the plan but was rebuked (16:22-23).
         3. Jesus told the apostles, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (16:24-26).
      2. Humility before Exaltation (18-20:28; *18:1-6).
      
      
   3. The Presentation (20:29-25:46).
      1. Matthew shows the Jews, by prophecy and fulfillment, that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised kingly Messiah by the TRIUMPHANT ENTRY, when the people shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David."
      2. The King is coming and the people respond with pomp and circumstance, palm leaves and shouts, and he acts like a king.
      
      
   4. The Preparation and Prosecution (26-27).
      1. As Jesus became more popular with the common people, the Pharisees came to increasingly hate him.
      2. They began to plot to kill him, and the plan came to culmination in the Garden of Gethsemane (chapter 26).
         

         The Trials

      3. After being betrayed by Judas, Jesus was paraded before six different judges or officials in the same night, in defiance of the law at the time that provided for any kind of criminal trial to be made public, to be carried out in the daytime, and for rules of evidence to apply.
      4. Pilate, the judge on the fourth and sixth trial, finally delivered Jesus over to the people in an effort to avoid a civil unrest. Jesus was crucified between two thieves, though he was never found guilty of any crime.
         

         The Travesty

      5. The Pretorian guards mocked and tortured Jesus, then led him to Golgotha where they crucify him.
      6. There on the cross, he died for you and me.
   
   

   Transition: As a high priest (Heb 5:10; 6:20), the messiah, Jesus offered the necessary sacrifice at the cross to bring to us forgiveness of our sins. Had Matthew’s account stopped there the tragedy of sin would have been compounded without hope. But the account of Jesus’ life didn’t end with his crucifixion. "It is finished" didn't mean that it was the end!
   
   

4. The King Raised (Matthew 28).
   
   The Conquest
   1. At the tomb is was found Jesus had risen just as he had proclaimed he would do (vs 1-10).
      

      The Conspiracy

   2. The chief priests, elders and guards plotted to accuse the disciples of having stolen the Jesus’ body and spread that rumor far and wide (vs 11-15)
      

      The Commission

   3. Having risen and getting ready to ascend back to his throne, Jesus gave his apostles their orders (vs 16-20).
   
   
5. Conclusion:
   

   Truly Jesus is the king, the messiah. He has the kingdom, the church and the saved only, are found in it. Are you in the church of Christ?
   

   It is interesting that Jesus saw in Matthew, a hated tax collector, a potential for teaching others about the gospel. The same potential is in each of us.

Sources:

Sid Womack, INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF MATTHEW, Bible Survey Lesson 61: The Book of Matthew

Charles Jones, Matthew’s Account Of The Gospel, “The Revelation Of The Mystery”, An Introductory Survey of the New Testament, Tommy J. Hicks - editor, The Sixth (2003) Annual Lubbock Lectureship, Hicks Publications, Southside church Of Christ, Lubbock, TX

In charity through Christ,
Raymond Wiseman