Well, I said this didn't need to be a long exhaustive wrap-up.....but I have a feeling it might become that. I read thru Matthew in my Life Application Bible, instead of reading thru the normal online version (which is what I normally do). There is a LOT to be gleaned form it.
First thing that hit me, is that Matthew (Levi) was a Jewish tax collector. A hated man by the Jewish people. But, having this job means that more than likely he was a detailed person. Someone who could keep track of lots of things, and document them. That's probably why Jesus called him to be one of the twelve. The second thing is that because he was Jewish, he knew all the traditions and hangups of the Jewish people. If you look at how he organized his book, he is laying out a perfect argument for the Jews to see that Jesus was the messiah. He started out by going thru the lineage of Jesus. He traces it thru David, and all the way to Abraham. This was HUGE for the Jewish people. He also is constantly referencing back to the Old Testament....again to show them that he is fulfilling all the prophesies that they all knew. Then he starts in on the things Jesus does. It was amazing to me just read the sub-headings within the chapters. Jesus heals the sick, Jesus casts out demons, Jesus has compassion on the people and feeds them (5000 people).....Jesus again heals the sick, he again casts out demons, he again feeds the masses (4000 people the second time). Then Matthew, now that he has established who Jesus is by birth, and by proof of miracles, then starts to record the teachings. He is probably thinking, "now that I have convinced you who Jesus is, now listen to this.....it's important." He records countless parables and lessons. Too many, almost, to even remember. Lastly, he wraps it up with the death of Jesus, and all of its implications.
1. Here's who Jesus is (lineage)
2. Here's who I am (Matthew, the calling of the 12)
3. Here's proof due to how he acts (miracles)
4. Here's what you need to know and remember (teachings and parables)
5. Here's his ultimate purpose (final death and resurrection)
6. Here's what this truth means to you (great commission)
It's really brilliant how he constructs his book. I think that's true as I read it 2000 years later, but it must have hit really hard to the Jewish people that he was specifically speaking to. He even calls them out specifically when talking about the empty tomb and the bribing on the guards to change their story.
The chapter moves really quickly, and as I was reading it, I was hoping for more meat to the stories. But, I have a much better understanding of why its written the way it is, after studying Matthew as a person. I didn't learn anything I didn't already know.....for me it's good to make connections between the truths. It makes it even MORE compelling.
tp out
Let me know how you found this exercise.
Wow you did a great job of summarizing the book. I liked the exercise although admittedly I didn't start until yesterday and I had to skim pretty fast and could not have constructed a well laid out summary like you did.
ReplyDeleteAs I read through it I almost felt a bit sad for us humans. Jesus was revealing who he was as you noted through his miracles and teachings. Clearly there were many who had faith and new he was special by the large crowds he was drawing. But for Jesus it must have been sad to see that those closest too him still struggled to understand and have unwavering faith in spite of all they had seen and heard.
You consistently see how the people with less or physical/mental challenges are actually more likely to recognize Jesus and seek to be close to him. Those that studied the law or had resources were more likely to use their knowledge and resources to protect their own interests.
I'm thinking nothing has changed today. We are the same people Jesus spoke to when he was here on earth. Of course He is the same as well and all of his promises and teaching still hold true today so we have that hope to save us.
knut