Matthew the Apostle of Jesus Christ

 Matthew…the Jew, the man, the Apostle of 

Jesus Christ.

The text of Matthew doesn’t identify its author, but ever since the second century ad, Christian tradition has ascribed this Gospel to Matthew the tax collector.

When you see the Bible in its ancient context, it comes to life as a body of literature that shaped God’s people. These are the people who were known first as the sons of Jacob, the people of Israel, and later as the Jewish people, and from them came Jesus and the Christian tradition. This is the true story of the whole world, of every person, and of our deep need for relationship with the God who made the universe. This is the story of how God sought to know us and love us—by sending His Son to die and rise for us, so that we may truly live.

One of Matthew’s primary goals is to show that Jesus is the Messiah—the fulfillment of Jewish hopes for salvation. Matthew emphasizes that the kingdom of heaven has arrived with Jesus—but at the same time, the kingdom has not yet come in its fullness. That will happen with Jesus’ return.

Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ identity as the divine Son of God, who has authority to control nature, heal disease, and forgive sin. In everything He does, Jesus is acting in the name and power of God Himself.

Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah and King, who fulfills God’s promises in the Old Testament. Jesus is not just a wise teacher; He is the one God has chosen to usher in the kingdom of heaven. He has come to save and to restore humanity into right relationship with God—starting first with Israel and then moving to the wider world.

One way to organize the Gospel of Matthew is by the five major blocks of Jesus’ teaching.

These five blocks are: the Sermon on the Mount; the missionary discourse; Jesus’ parables; Jesus’ teaching on discipleship; and Jesus’ teaching about His return and the day of judgment. 

This five-part division could serve as an echo of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament). Matthew is presenting Jesus as a new Moses. Like Moses, Jesus is leading God’s people in an exodus—this new exodus involves breaking the bonds of sin. And just as Moses delivered God’s law, Jesus fulfills it.

Another way to organize Matthew’s Gospel is to structure it around significant turning points in Jesus’ ministry. These turning points are marked by a transition in the aspect or location of Jesus’ ministry. 

The first section describes the time before Jesus’ public ministry, including His family history and early childhood, His baptism, and His temptation by the devil. The second section, which details Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee, particularly focuses on His miracles, teachings, and conflicts with religious leaders.The last section tells of the rejection and suffering of Jesus in Jerusalem and concludes with His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

By the end of Matthew’s Gospel, some of Jesus’ disciples are worshiping Him—and it is here that it becomes apparent that the people realize what we have also found to be true: Jesus is God Himself. Today, we proclaim Jesus as our Jewish Messiah, who is also our King and God! He is all we ever hoped for and far more. And this savior, Jesus, inspires us to both praise Him and take action—He motivates us to make disciples of all nations, a work that is far from done. Faithlife Bible.