PROPHECIES FULFILLED
Matthew is perfectly placed as the first book of the New Testament because, in many ways, it is a link between old and new. Many Old Testament prophetic scriptures are referred to in this book, as we see them being fulfilled. Beginning with Matthew 1v1-17, we can follow a genealogy, starting with Abraham, encompassing King David and ending with Jesus the Messiah. The “Messiah” or “Christ” means God’s “anointed one”. Priests and kings were the ones anointed so we see, in Jesus, the Father’s perfect, priestly king. In verse one, the family tree says that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. The promise to David was that his throne would be established for ever. This was fulfilled by Jesus, the king of kings, who was a direct descendant of David, by both Joseph and Mary along different generational lines. Jesus also fulfilled the important promise to Abraham that, not only would his descendants make nations, kings would come from him and, amazingly, all families of the earth would be blessed through Him. Abraham, in faith, was asked to sacrifice his son and likewise, Jesus, would be sacrificed to become the Saviour of the world.
So the birth of the anointed one took place (v18) after Mary was found to be with a child, who she knew was fathered by the Holy Spirit and not her fiancé Joseph. Joseph, thinking that she was with another man, planned to “dismiss her quietly” but an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream telling him the child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit. This son they were to name Jesus, meaning Saviour, because (v21) he would “save his people from their sins”. Isaiah (v23) had prophesied the virgin birth using his special name Emmanuel, which means God is with us. The Old Testament is full of the importance of God’s presence which stayed in the holy of holies but this baby was actually God in human form, God’s presence walking around the earth.
The birth of Jesus was surrounded by angelic divine guidance and the family were sent to become refugees, for a time, in Egypt. Note that the wise men were not called kings but, in gold, they brought a gift suitable for a king (2v11) for it was Jesus who was to be the king. The chief priests and scribes in Jerusalem (v5) knew exactly where Jesus was going to be born (book of Micah 5v2) and they also knew that He would be a kingly shepherd who, we read later, was going to seek and save the lost.
JOHN PREPARING THE WAY
The Old Testament gradually unfolded the plan of God and it had predicted (Isaiah and Malachi) someone who was to come from the wilderness and prepare the way for the Lord (3v3). John came proclaiming (v2) “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Why was it near? because the king of the kingdom was alive on this earth and about to reveal himself. I gave my son Caleb a middle name of John because I had been so impressed by John the Baptist. Perhaps we underestimate the impact he had; look at the words of verse 5, “Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judaea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan”. That could be an awful lot of people. Verse 6 tells us that they were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. This is the same preparation we need to come to Jesus and enter His kingdom; we must be willing to change, we must want to get rid of the sins of old and be willing to confess them with our mouths. Such was John’s impact that even the Pharisees and Sadducees came for baptism. Sadly, John had to expose the religious leaders because he knew that they had no real desire for repentance (v8).
BAPTISED IN WATER AND SPIRIT
John was so humble that the popularity meant nothing to him, he just wanted to lift up Jesus (v11). The worthy one would baptise them with the Holy Spirit and fire. Until we are baptised with the Holy Spirit, we will not experience the presence of God in our lives. Jesus was, also, on a mission to deal with sin which he would purify in his fire. Jesus set an example for us to be baptised (v15) because that would “fulfill all righteousness.” He was then ready to be released in the Holy Spirit for the mission God the Father had given Him. The heavenly Father’s heart was so full of joy that he could keep quiet no longer; he had to give his approval, “this is my Son, the Beloved (v17), with whom I am well pleased.”
Then, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil (4v1) who put three temptations in front of Him. Jesus resisted his offerings using words from Deuteronomy and the Psalms. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus had to refuse earthly kingdoms (v8) to bring in the kingdom of heaven? His choice was to “worship the Lord” his God and serve only Him “(v10).
MINISTRY THROUGHOUT GALILEE
Jesus made his home in Capernaum (v13) by the lake, again according to prophesy, and we are told it is from that time that Jesus began to proclaim (v17) “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Interesting that this is the same message as John the Baptist for the kingdom would not fully come until his resurrection and ascension. He saw some fishermen on the lake and He said “follow me, and I will make you fish for people,” and they joined Him in his ministry of seeking out the lost.
Jesus proclaimed (v23) what He called the “good news” or “gospel” of the kingdom. That kingdom was, certainly, good news for the sick and great crowds started to follow Him (v25), as they did John. Do you find it surprising that when he saw the crowds (5v1) he found a quieter place on a mountain? He did not judge success by popularity.
THE HEART OF THE KINGDOM
In what we know as the sermon on the mount, Jesus laid out what some people call His manifesto of the kingdom. But this manifesto was only describing what his kingdom people should be like. These teachings are still powerfully radical, even in a world that has moved on 2000 years, and they fulfill the old testament laws perfectly (v17). “Blessed” means happy but not because of material success which seems to have nothing to do with it. It is for those who are humble (v3) (poor in spirit), sad for sin, hungry for righteousness and merciful. It is a kingdom of the heart, for those who are pure in heart (v8), and Jesus probed behind superficial goodness explaining that everyone who looks at a woman in lust commits adultery (v28). We need to be reconciled to any brothers and sisters who have something against us and we should not only love our neighbours, but our enemy also (v43). In chapter 6, Jesus exposes our hypocritical religious practices, which we do for the wrong reasons, for we cannot hide them because He sees us in the secret place (v6). We are not to go for earthly treasures (v19) or worry about daily provisions (v25). There is no place for judging in the kingdom of God (7v1-5) for it is a place of forgiveness. Consider the Lord’s prayer (6v10) where we should pray for the Lord’s kingdom to come and then (v12) forgive. Our objective should be to “strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (v33).
In one sense it easy to enter the kingdom because (7v7) if we ask it is given to us. On the other hand, it has a narrow gate and few find it (v14). Some think they are in, but sadly not (v23).
THE AUTHORITY OF THE KINGDOM
It is difficult to do justice to this teaching, apart from seeking to apply it in our own lives, and those who heard were “astounded” (v28). Why? because “He taught them as one having authority” (v29). Chapter 8 is a key chapter because, in it, we see the authority of Jesus and how we should trust Him. A leper came to Him (v2) with confidence that Jesus could make him clean and then famously, a centurion, who said (v8) “but only speak the word and my servant shall be healed.” He knew the concept of authority from his life in the army and recognised divine authority when he saw it. In verse 13, we see that having faith is to understand that the king has authority in his kingdom. Jesus touched the hand of Peter’s mother in law and the fever left her (v15) and he cast out many demons and cured all who were sick (v16). All this again prophesied by Isaiah (v17) “he took our infirmities and bore our diseases”. Later in the chapter (v27) He showed His authority over the wind and waves of a storm and two ferocious Gadarene demoniacs (v28).
HE CAME FOR SINNERS WITH FAITH
Jesus continued His powerful ministry of healing but we now begin to see the religious powers clashing with Him (9v3); this time as He claimed another authority, that to forgive sins (v6). They thought that when the Messiah came He would only be interested in them but instead Jesus was welcoming people who they classified as tax-collectors and sinners (v11). This was an important element of the life of Jesus who came into the world to save those who recognised they were sinners and wanted his people to be merciful to others, rather than just religious (v13). A bleeding woman touched the hem of his garment and Jesus said (v22)“your faith had made you well” and to the two previously blind men who cried out for mercy Jesus said (v29) “according to your faith let it be done to you”.
JESUS GIVES AUTHORITY TO OTHERS
It is clear that healing required people to reach out and cry to God, in trusting faith. Jesus felt great compassion when he saw the crowds (v36) and he longed for others to become labourers in the harvest (v37). It was time, therefore, in chapter 10 for Jesus to summon his twelve and give them His authority to cast out demons and heal every disease and sickness (v1). This was a limited commission because at that moment in time the message was only for the Jews (v5); like Jesus they were to proclaim the good news that the kingdom was at hand (v7). Apart from the authority of Jesus they needed nothing; no money, no bag or spare clothes. Anyone who welcomed them into a house was welcoming Jesus and the Father (v40). Their life would be dangerous and even their families could desert them and they would need to be willing to lose their life for His sake. The Spirit, though, would give them the right words to say (v20).
JESUS-THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER
In chapter 11 v 27, Jesus says that all things have been handed over to the Son by the Father and it is only through Jesus that we get to know him. This same Jesus comes, recognising the weariness and heavy burdens of life, and offers to give us rest (v28). He does not force himself upon us because He is gentle and humble (v29) and we need to come to Him and learn from Him. This is echoed in verses 19 and 20, of the next chapter, where Isaiah prophesied him to come as a servant in quiet tenderness, not even breaking a bruised reed.
THE FUTURE OF THE KINGDOM
There are numerous mentions of the kingdom of heaven in chapter 13. The word of the kingdom is sown in the heart (v19) but the evil one would want to snatch it away, before it bears fruit. It is a kingdom that exists alongside the enemy’s kingdom (v30). It can look small but don’t be fooled it grows much bigger (v31-33). One day the Son of Man will send out his angels to get rid of all sin and evildoers that affect his kingdom and v43 “the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom their Father.” The kingdom of heaven is so important that a man should sell everything to gain it (44-45).
OPPOSITION AS JESUS’ IDENTITY IS SLOWLY REVEALED
Opposition started to mount, Johns head ended up on a platter (ch14) and Jesus, wanting time alone, withdrew to a deserted place (v13). The crowds followed Him and He still carried on to perform some of his more famous miracles, feeding people miraculously on 2 occasions and walking on water. The leading religious leaders (ch15) came to trip him up; they had a show of religious duties and views but Jesus knew that (v8) “their hearts are far from me” and it is out of the heart that all kinds of evil things come (v19).
Peter made his bold statement (16v16) that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and Jesus began to warn his disciples that He would suffer at the hands of the Jewish leaders, be killed but would rise again on the third day. Not before Peter, James and John had that wonderful revelation of Jesus is his glory on what we call the mount of transfiguration. A bright cloud overshadowed them and Jesus received the approval of the Father once again (17v5) “This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased, listen to him.”
PROMISE OF HIS PRESENCE AMONG HIS PEOPLE-THE CHURCH
In chapter 18 Jesus said that we need to become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven (v2) and Jesus would seek for us, just like a shepherd searches for a lost sheep (v12). Jesus had already mentioned to Peter that He would build his church but Matthew is, actually, the only gospel where he mentions the church. So it is interesting to see what aspects of the church needed particular mention; unity, forgiveness and mercy the most important by far (v15-35). We, as God’s people, have spiritual authority (v18), a power of agreement between us (v19) and the promise of His presence,“ for where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (v20).
REVELATION AS THAT HE IS THE EXPECTED SERVANT KING
Jesus then emphasised his fulfillment of the Isaiah suffering servant prophesies (20v28) “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” This was now the time for openness about His messiah kingship for even the blind men in, in v30, are asking for mercy from “the Son of David”. Until now, He had talked about the kingdom of heaven and demonstrated his authority in the kingdom but now was the time for him to openly reveal that He was the messiah king who had been prophesied. Jesus knew that, following this revelation, people would quickly kill Him but, in chapter 21, He saddled a donkey and entered Jerusalem to fulfill old testament prophesies about the coming king (v5).
His righteous anger led to Him overturning the tables in the temple (v12) and these last few days are packed with cutting edge teaching, as Jesus knows that His time is limited. He declared himself to be the prophetic cornerstone that the builders rejected (v42) and the kingdom would be taken away from the Jews and given to other people (v43). They were desperately trying to find grounds to arrest him and, in response to one of their trick questions, Jesus summarised the law and the prophets into the two great commandments (22v37-40), that we love so much. Jesus is scathing about the proud religious leaders and stated that the greatest among them should be a servant (23v11). He then continued with prophesies that the temple that would be destroyed (ch24 eg v2) and others that seem to talk about the judgement day at the end of the world (chs 24,25). Sometimes, though, it is difficult to work out which!
LAST TWO DAYS
Ch26 and it is clear that Jesus knew that he had exactly two days before he was going to be handed over and crucified (v2). The conspiracy went to the very highest religious authorities, Caiaphas, the high priest (v3), but there was somebody who had a overwhelming love for Jesus. When he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the Leper, a woman came and poured an alabaster jar of costly ointment over his head as he sat at the table (v7). His disciples thought her wasteful, thinking it could have been better used for the poor, but Jesus knew that this act of love would turn her into somebody that the world remembered (v13). Perhaps, that loving fragrance could have lingered right through the terrible days to come.
And then we see the contrasting moments of Jesus with his disciples: (v14) the betrayal by Judas for 30 pieces of silver (the price of a slave) and the intimacy of the Passover meal where Jesus linked the bread and the wine to his body and blood as a symbol of the new covenant, in which his blood was the price for the forgiveness of sins (v28). They drank the wine, sang a hymn and as they moved to the mount of Olives Jesus predicted, according to a Zechariah prophesy, that all the disciples would desert him (v31). It was a place called Gethsemane where Jesus agonised with his Father and his closest disciples could not even keep awake. Jesus confirmed his commitment to us with those words “not what I want but what you want “(v39). And so he was betrayed by one of his closest friends, Judas, as they came with swords and clubs, but all they needed was a kiss (v49). He gave in to his oppressors with the knowledge that he could have called twelve legions of angels in his defence (v53).
LIKE A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARERS IS DUMB
Peter denied Jesus three times while the chief priests desperately looked for false witnesses to accuse Him. Eventually, Jesus, in effect, admitted that he was the messiah (v63, 64); that was all they needed and the violence against Him began. Jesus made no attempt to answer their accusations before Pilate and even Pilate realised it was out of jealousy (27v18) that they had handed him over. The force of the rioting crowd was too strong (v24) and so Jesus was taken off to be abused and crucified. Ironically even the mocking soldiers (v29) twisted Him a crown of thorns and the words above his cross named him “King of the Jews”, which, of course, He was.
In the middle of the day, three hours of darkness came over the whole land (v45)and then about 3 o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (words from Psalm 22). Soon after, Jesus died after one last, final loud cry and the most unusual things happened: the curtain in the temple tore from top to bottom (v51), the earth quaked and dead people were raised from the dead. Even the centurion declared “truly this man was God’s Son” (v54).
UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE
The priests knew that Jesus had predicted that after 3 days He would rise again so they sealed the tomb and set a guard of soldiers around to protect it (27v66). The guards and the two Mary’s were there to see the stone rolled away by an angel but He wasn’t there because He had already risen. Jesus revealed himself and left a message for his 11 disciples (here called brothers) to meet him in Galilee (28V10).
And so we come to the glorious final words of Jesus in verses 28v18-20. All authority had been given to Him and His “brothers” were told to:
1. Make disciples of all nations
2. Baptise them and
3. Teach them to obey Him
“and remember (v20) I am with you always, to the end of the age”
The king was now in His proper place of authority, the kingdom of heaven had truly come, and the King was always going to be with them.