Matthew

Just Believe

Christ in the Scriptures

Matthew, as a Jew, unashamedly shapes his account about Jesus’ life so it is understood by a Jewish audience. His goal is to convince his peers that the King of kings has come. With this in mind, he uses terms and names that Jews will resonate with. By quoting more passages from the Old Testament than any other New Testament writer, he attempts to validate that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah. No less than 12 times Matthew presents Jesus as Israel’s Messianic King.

Also unique to Matthew is the expression, “that it might be fulfilled” which was spoken by various prophets. By footnoting familiar passages the Jews accepted as God’s inspired Word, Matthew builds his case for Christ with the precision of a former tax collector. Examine for yourself how he substantiates the prophecies that pointed to Jesus’ miraculous and obscure birth, His birthplace, His exile to Egypt and return to Israel, and His rejection and suffering. No wonder Matthew begins his book with an impressive genealogy of Jesus’ link to King David. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)

²³ “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 2:2 (NKJV)

² saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

Matthew 3:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 4:15–17 (NKJV)

¹⁵ “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles:

¹⁶ The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,

And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death

Light has dawned.”

¹⁷ From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 21:5 (NKJV)

⁵ “Tell the daughter of Zion,

‘Behold, your King is coming to you,

Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

Matthew 21:9 (NKJV)

⁹ Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

Hosanna in the highest!”

Matthew 22:44–45 (NKJV)

⁴⁴ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’?

⁴⁵ If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?”

Matthew 26:64 (NKJV)

⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Matthew 27:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”

Matthew 27:37 (NKJV)

³⁷ And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:

THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS

Catholic and Protestant cultures are different. these scriptures  still  ring true today! these branches of Christ  are to be respected out of God’s great love for both.

By doing this, Paul will show that he is still sensitive to Jewish culture, which James believes will overturn their fellow Jews’ concerns about Paul. This action demonstrates that Paul is not encouraging Jews to abandon their traditions, cultural identity, or religious identity. Paul’s actions are purely social, showing respect for Israelite customs. Faithlife Bible.

The Christian leaders were not asking Gentiles to live like Jews; neither did they want to compel Jews to live like Gentiles. The spiritual unity of the body of believers is realized in its diversity, not in its conformity. From our diverse backgrounds and cultures we honor the same Lord. NKJ Bible.

Acts 21:23–25 (NKJV)

²³ Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. ²⁴ Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. ²⁵ But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

Acts 15:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹ Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,

Acts 15:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

The Institution of the Lord's Supper

Jesus was born, died and resurrected for you, for me, for the world. Through the blood that He shed we are cleansed from our unrighteousness and abide in His righteousness. Through His body, broken and destroyed but risen again, we are given eternal life that where He is we are also. 

This Covenant of Grace is extended to all of creation but it us up to us to spread the Good News.

Jesus reinterprets the symbolism of the bread consumed to commemorate the Passover meal, applying it to His impending death. Jesus states that His imminent death enacts the new covenant centered on forgiveness. Faithlife Bible

Some interpret this is My blood metaphorically, meaning that the contents of this cup represented Jesus’ blood that would be shed for our sins. Others give the statement a more literal interpretation. The sprinkling of blood was required to institute the Mosaic covenant. In the same way, Jesus’ blood shed on the cross initiated the new covenant: His blood was shed for many. He died on the cross in the place of many sinners from every nation. He paid the price for all of their sins. All those who believe in Him will receive eternal life. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 26:26–29 (NKJV)

²⁶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

²⁷ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. ²⁹ But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

Mark 14:22–25 (NKJV)

²² And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

²³ Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ²⁴ And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. ²⁵ Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:17–20 (NKJV)

¹⁷ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; ¹⁸ for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.

¹⁹ And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

²⁰ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

Leviticus 17:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

Matthew 26:28 (NKJV)

²⁸ For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Matthew 18:22-35

Lord help me to love all people! Help me to stand for the truth of Your Word and Your commands but in doing so to show compassion. I have been forgiven so very much and  They know not what they do. You take no pleasure in the death of a soul created for Your glory. 

Out of Your abundant love for mankind…You sent Jesus.

Holy Spirit enable me to be like Jesus, I cannot do it on my own. Help me to be Your hands and feet to a dying world.

Jesus tells Peter and the rest of His disciples that they should forgive continuously and without limit, just as God forgives them. The lavish nature of divine forgiveness requires the same response in human relationships—the point of Jesus’ parable. An astonishing turn of events. The servant, who received a far greater pardon, should have readily extended forgiveness to the debtor. Faithlife Bible.

The point is not to keep count at all, but to always be willing to forgive.

A talent was worth about six thousand denarii. Ten thousand talents would be sixty million day’s wages, a sum that would be impossible to repay. Thus Jesus graphically portrayed this man’s hopeless predicament. All of a Christian’s sins are forgiven and forgotten forever. But this parable illustrates the Christian duty to forgive others! NKJ Bible.

Matthew 18:22–35 (NKJV)

²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. ²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

²⁸ “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ³⁰ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. ³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Acts 19:3-7

Speaking in tongues is a sign of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This Baptism enables us to hear and understand Scripture and to speak boldly in the name of Christ. He is the ultimate teacher and His guidance helps us to navigate the trials and tribulations here on earth. Holy Spirit takes the teachings of Jesus and imprints them on our minds and heart. 

Christ within is the hope of glory!

By laying on his hands here, Paul was demonstrating his apostolic authority. He was also affirming the unity of the new church in Ephesus with the church in Jerusalem, whose members were also were empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak in foreign languages. This speaking in tongues was a sign to others that they were part of the body of Christ. NKJ Bible.

Acts 19:3–7 (NKJV)

³ And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”

So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

⁴ Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. ⁷ Now the men were about twelve in all.

Matthew 3:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

 Mark 1:8 (NKJV)

⁸ I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Mark 6:4-6

We need to appreciate and respect those called to Christ as ministers and the culture of the people they serve. Paul became all things to all men that he might save a few. Our message is given so that as many as possible can see the goodness of God and the salvation that He provides in Jesus Christ and be saved. 

God doesn’t want any of His creation to perish and the only way to Him is through the Body Of Christ that He gave up for all who choose to believe. The ultimate failure of man is to not accept the very gift from the Father that gives eternal life.

Just believe!

Jesus declares that it is normal for a prophet’s own people to reject the prophet. This statement reintroduces the issue of what true family is. Faithlife Bible.

Perhaps others were jealous of Jesus’ popularity and huge following. Their envy even took the form of violence against Christ. NKJ Bible.

Mark 6:4–6 (NKJV)

⁴ But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” ⁵ Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶ And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

Matthew 13:57 (NKJV)

⁵⁷ So they were offended at Him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.”

1 Corinthians 9:16-18

We do what, in our fleshly selves, we do not want to do out of the grace that we have been shown in Christ Jesus!

I became all things to all men that I might save a few!

God set apart Paul to proclaim the gospel message. Therefore, he is compelled to preach it even in the face of opposition. Faithlife Bible.

Paul had the right to eat and drink whatever he wanted, to have a wife, and to receive wages for his ministry. But he did not exercise these rights. NKJ Bible.

1 Corinthians 9:16–18 (NKJV)

¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. ¹⁸ What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

John 4:36 (NKJV)

³⁶ And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

Zephaniah 1:2-3

There will come an end to grace when  Jesus returns. There will be a  judgement of those who heard the Word of God and through their actions lived them out. We are the hands and feet of the Almighty and faith without works is dead. Let it not be Lord, that we could be a stumbling block to those who have yet to meet You or to those whose faith is weak.

You alone are the salvation of the world! 

It is Your desire that everyone sees Your mercy and grace on this earth in the form of those who say that they follow You. 

We need to shine the light of Christ on the world… that is why we have been given the privilege of being here and the talents and resources to use for His purposes!

Zephaniah 1:2–3 (NKJV)

² “I will utterly consume everything

From the face of the land,”

Says the Lord;

³ “I will consume man and beast;

I will consume the birds of the heavens,

The fish of the sea,

And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked.

I will cut off man from the face of the land,”

Says the Lord.

The prophet begins this section with a general announcement of worldwide destruction and then announces Judah’s destruction specifically. Faithlife Bible.

The message of Zephaniah begins with a pronouncement of universal judgment. These words not only introduce the particular judgment that would be pronounced upon Judah, but they also speak of the final judgment that will usher in the kingdom of God on earth. Stumbling blocks here refers to idolatry, or substitutes for God in the life and affections of a person. Because there is nothing in the universe that really may be compared to the Creator, God abhors all forms of idolatry. NKJ Bible.

Ezekiel 22:1-5

 Is it possible that the sins of Jerusalem are being reenacted in the sins of America?

Are money, independence and control our idols of choice? Is there hope for us? We need to ask forgiveness, repent and do it His way not ours. His commands? Love Him above all and our neighbors as ourself. Sounds easy? Not in the moral decline that we find our nation in now. If we truly love God and our neighbors…we would fulfill all the law. The blood on our nation is abortion and equally of importance is failing to care for the very children that we save in terms of food, housing, schooling and medical care. 

God chastens those He loves. If we say we are followers of Jesus Christ…that is us folks!

 He will remove anything that stands in the way of our becoming like His Son.

Yahweh commands Ezekiel to judge, which appears to involve delivering an accusation rather than a verdict. The Hebrew word used here, cherpah, refers to a condition of shame or disgrace. Israel will be shamed before the nations. Faithlife Bible.

These verses focus on the sins of Jerusalem, principally bloodshed (social sin) as a result of idolatry (spiritual sin). A problem in the vertical relationship with God inevitably leads to some degree of injustice and injury in horizontal, human affairs. The city was ripe for judgment. When such hypocrisy is exposed and punishment is executed before the world, God’s people become lasting objects of ridicule.

Ezekiel 22:1–5 (NKJV)

22 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ² “Now, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Yes, show her all her abominations! ³ Then say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “The city sheds blood in her own midst, that her time may come; and she makes idols within herself to defile herself. ⁴ You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made. You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years; therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all countries. ⁵ Those near and those far from you will mock you as infamous and full of tumult.

1 Kings 9:7 (NKJV)

⁷ then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them; and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight. Israel will be a proverb and a byword among all peoples.

2 Kings 21:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides his sin by which he made Judah sin, in doing evil in the sight of the Lord.

Ezekiel 5:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Moreover I will make you a waste and a reproach among the nations that are all around you, in the sight of all who pass by.

Matthew 311-12

Salvation in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is offered to us as a gift of the Father. There is nothing we can do to earn it. Water Baptism allows us to show our need for forgiveness and acceptance of this precious gift of God. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit gives us the teacher who will help us to understand the Scriptures and the power to carry out the commands of God. 

 Christ within the hope of glory.

In Him, with Him and in unity with the Holy Spirit there is nothing in his will that we cannot accomplish for His glory and the good of ALL of His children.

This image shows that there is nothing arbitrary about judgment: The good, solid grain falls to the threshing floor, while the dry, empty chaff is blown away . Faithlife Bible.

John identified people with himself and his message of repentance by water baptism; the One coming after him was so much greater that He would unite people to Himself by means of the Holy Spirit. John knew that the kingdom to come would be characterized by a great display of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people. It would be the work of the Messiah to accomplish this, to baptize His people in the Spirit. But those who rejected Him the Messiah would baptize with fire, which is probably a figure for God’s judgment. In His first advent, Christ baptized in the Spirit. When He comes again, He will baptize with fire. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 3:11–12 (NKJV)

¹¹ I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Acts 1:5 (NKJV)

⁵ for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV)

¹³ For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.