If you'd walked Mark 10:32
They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe
AND
If you thought about writing one Gospel to cover and reveal the life of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Why, you'd think, I only need 28 Chapters.
Or maybe.
You'd be so overwhelmed you might decide you could cover one aspect.
John 21
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
The difference between the Exodus, Old Testament, and the New Testament - in the Exodus the people complained - A LOT.
Walking with Jesus - they were mostly overwhelmed. Worried. Asking each other questions. But they saw what John said - God is Love.
Where did Matthew start?
Matthew started by wanting to share his love and joy in Jesus, being a late comer to the group, by throwing Jesus a party. With the ones who needed Jesus most.
Imagine the joy of throwing Jesus a party. And join with me in the joy of knowing Jesus had a big party thrown for Him.
Except - this Man preaching Mercy each day at odds with peace - has nothing but Trouble in the commentary. And Matthew decides - he will defend Jesus.
1 Timothy 3
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Did Matthew have conceit? This man worked for the Oppression. And the Pharisees thought Jesus was the devil for His Friends. Reputation with outsiders? Well it was a Scam. The Pharisees were picked by Herod same as the Tax Collectors. Same Paycheck. Sorta. Eventually Matthew would be trapped by the devil (who might be credited to be the prince of this world - yet GOD, our Bible assures, us is Sovereign. Our GOD reigns. Today. Alleluia.)
So. Matthew starts out with apologetics. A sad word. Surely. For the greatest Truth of all time.
Matthew starts out with genealogy to appease the people who set the Samaritans out of the Second Temple and left people behind in Iran. And married the local women, but not the Samaritans with 3 tribes of Israel DNA. This is uphill work. Trying to point out the many ways fulfillment happens in the Old Testament. Genesis 2:4, Isaiah 7:14.
Matthew 16:26:
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Matthew 22:37-40:
"Jesus replied, '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two.'
Matthew fans out from here. Explaining to the Temple people for their redemption - how the Law hung Jesus (from a Cross) thinking they had a disposable Prophet on their hands. Matthew logically starts to draw from the beginning of Jesus' Ministry.
Jesus is the healing and miracle-working Messiah of Israel who has increasing levels of trouble.
Matthew is at first impressed with Jesus' teaching and then amazed by His Acts. He begins by allowing how Jesus fits into their image of God and expands this into God works for Himself.
Matthew's whole Gospel is the blending from clarifications of the expectations (perhaps like our own interpretation of the Revelation and theirs to Isaiah) to the Fulfillment of God.
Matthew 15
14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?[d] 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”
23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Matthew gave a party...
and began to understand the hurt of God that His own Children were insensitive.
The Gospel of Matthew explains how a thug was loved
and his redemption in that Love began to change the world.
God's Love
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Amen.
Father GOD, bless, protect, guide and lead those who require a Savior. Remember them in your Mercy. Your overwhelming Mercy. In Jesus we pray, Your will be done! Amen.
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