Matthew

Theme 1 : Matthew describes the Holy Spirit working through history and empowering Christ for ministry. Chapter 1 describes how the Holy Spirit works in the life of Mary to have such trust and in the life of Joseph to live a life of integrity. Chapter 2 in describing the birth and early years of Jesus shows how prophecies about him are fulfilled which concern his birth in Bethlehem , his brief time in Egypt and his childhood in Nazareth. Chapter 3 discusses Christ’s baptism and demonstrated how Christ surrendered his will to the Lord and lives in obedience to him. In obeying the Lord and being baptized Jesus is made ready for his ministry as the Holy Sprit comes upon him anointing him for ministry. The work of the Holy Spirit is seen in Chapter 4 which describes Jesus battling Satan during his temptation. Jesus battled the devil by using scripture and the Holy Spirit according to Christ is our helper who guides us and reminds us of the scriptures. The Holy Spirit also works in the lives of Andrew , James , John and Peter who give up their old lives and follow Jesus.

Theme 2 : The theme of seeking Christ and his kingdom and living a new life focused on the kingdom of God is addressed in Matthew. Chapters 5-7 describe a lengthy teaching known as the Sermon on the Mount. In the Beatitudes section and the section describing adultery an murder , the key thought is that the law is not just a punishment for bad behavior but was given to us as a way of focusing our lives on the Lord. Those who seek the kingdom of heaven will not hate or lust after other people. They will be people of prayer who humbly seek after Christ while living a godly life. Our righteousness will be based on a desire to please the Lord rather than impress others. A vital part of seeking Christ is to trust him for that which is beyond our comprehension or power. Like the centurion who trusted Christ to heal by his word alone , we are to have faith in Christ as we seek his kingdom.

Theme 3 : The good news of Christ ( the gospel) is available to all people and is a free gift. In chapter 9 Christ tells the Pharisees his mission was to call the lost sinners back to God. Chapter 10 describes Jesus sending his disciples out into the land telling them to share the gospel and empowering them to do so. They even go to their enemies the Samaritans. Chapter 11 discuses how blessed we are to have the message of the gospel and how we are to receive it with child like trust. Chapter 12 describes how Christ has fulfilled the Law and we are no longer bound by the penalty of the Law and can truly rest.

Theme 4: We are called to share the good news of Christ Jesus to everyone. Matthew 13 tells the Parable of the Sower and illustrates how the message of the gospel is sown and how various people respond to the message of salvation. Matthew 14 tells of the miracles of Christ walking on water and feeding 5 000 men and numerous women and children. The first miracle demonstrates how Christ works in history and over the elements to proclaim his message. The feeding of a multitude of people , bridges into Jesus message that he is the Bread of Life and that when we except him we will never hunger after God as he brings us to him Matthew 15 describes how when we accept the message of salvation we live a life based on living right with Christ through our actions. It is not what we eat that makes us unclean but rather the sin that comes out of our hearts including : slander , evil thoughts and hatred. Jesus demonstrates compassion being a way of the people who share the gospel as he meets the needs of others by feeding 4000 men in addition to many women and children.

Theme 5 : A central theme in Matthew is to trust God for our daily needs and not to focus on wealth. In chapter 17 Christ provides for the government task by giving his disciples a fish with a coin in it. Chapter 18 describes the Parable of the unmerciful servant which tells us that we are to forgive the debts or wrongs others have committed against us just as Christ did for us. We are not to abuse our fellow man and have him beaten for monetary gain. Chapter 19 tells us of Jesus meeting with a rich young ruler who asks Jesus how he can be saved. He is told to give up what he has to the poor and to follow Jesus. He does not and this illustrates to us the importance of putting our trust in God and not in money. Chapter 20 tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard , the quarrel over who is the greatest in the kingdom and the healing of 2 blind men. All of these stories stress the need to be humble and to rely on Christ for our needs. The parable of the Vineyard tells us that God will generously give us our reward and that we will all will be treated fairly. The quarrel between the disciples and Jesus taking aside a child illustrates that we must not be focused on rank and position but are to be humble as we seek the Kingdom.

Theme 6 : We are to have a heart ( intellect , will , emotion , strength) focused on God’s kingdom as we live in humility. Matthew 21 demonstrates Christ humility as he comes into Jerusalem humbly on a donkey and is embraced by a crowd of common people who wave and lay palm branches before him and bless his name. He does not come as a King on a steed used for war but comes on the common person’s transport animal and accepts the adoration of all in the crowd despite their background. Thus he demonstrated that the kingdom of God is available to all people. Matthew 22 tells of Christ teaching the greatest commandments which are to love God with all of our being and to love others as we love ourselves. Matthew 23 describes how Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for not focusing on the intent of the law which is to draw us near to God and to allow us to love our neighbor. Matthew 24 discusses being prepared for the kingdom by focusing on the Lord. We are not to be discouraged by the hardships of life but to realize that Christ is in control of all events and circumstances and is working them for good.

Theme 7 : We are to anticipate Christ’s kingdom being established and his return occurring soon by working to spread the message of his kingdom through our prayers and deeds. Matthew 25 describes using our gifts for the kingdom in the parable of the talents and being prepared for the kingdom in the parable of the wise bridesmaids/ virgins. We fulfill the message of the kingdom by caring for others as when we meet the needs of the poor we do so for Christ. Chapter 26 tells the story of Christ’s arrests and trials before Herod and Pilate , discussing prophecies being fulfilled. This reminds me that I can be confident of Christ fulfilling his promises and can live a life of obedience based on the fact that Christ will keep his promises concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. Chapter 27 reminds me of the importance of our conduct being a vital part of kingdom living and of our witness for Christ. One thief dying on a cross beside Jesus realizes that he is God ‘s son through Christ’s actions and a guard who executes him says surely he was the son of God. Chapter 28 describes Christ‘s resurrection and his accession into heaven. It notes our mission as members of his kingdom to make Christ followers or apprentices throughout the earth.