Matthew

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader?
   
   
   The book of Matthew is written primarily to the Jews so that they could see that the prophecies of their Holy texts was walking amongst them and they would turn to God. From the stories in the text and the messages Jesus was trying to communicate through them it seems as though the people of the times were very good at being religious and sticking to the teachings of the Law but they were missing the bigger picture, the thing God had been trying to teach them for years- it's all about the heart. He seems to be revealing the discrepancies in what they are believing vs. what they are living.
   There is so much in the book speaking towards the Pharisees and religious teachers I think that alludes to an issue of the time being that there are greater underlying problems.
   The Jews would have known who the Messiah was talked up to be, being so staunchly religious they would have the details down to a 'T' but they needed the proof that Jesus was who He said He was (12:38, 16:1). But, God wasn't going to just give it to them, they had all of the 'evidence', they could have known it was Him if they'd just matched things up and had the faith to believe.
   
   
   
   
2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?
   
   
   The author of Matthew was the tax-collector Matthew (9:9), knowing this we can presume that he was good at math and very orderly. He seems to be fairly well off, as he threw a party that Jesus and the disciples were invited to. All throughout the book he references Old Testament prophecies (see O.R.) to address the Jewish audience, showing them the validity of who Christ was. He knew his audience well and knew what they would need to see and hear in order to know that Christ was the long awaited for Messiah.

3. What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the “main idea?”
   
   
   Matthew puts a very big emphasis on the writings and prophecies from the Old Testament and showing how the things happening have previously been foretold in their own texts. (1: 23; 2:5-7, 15, 23; 4:15-17; 8:17; 12:18-21; 21:4-5, 42; 26:24, 31; 27:9; 2:17-19; 12:35; 15:7-9; 21:13,16). As Jesus does His ministry He speaks quite a bit about faith, I think it direct contradiction to the people of time. He responds to those with faith (8:10; 9:2,22,29; 15:28) , rebukes those of little faith (8:26; 14:31; 16:8,30; 17:20) and encourages the people that if they have faith anything is possible (21:21-22; 17:20). Text after text is full of Jesus telling the people how to live (Chapters 5, 6 and 7; 10:5-42) and it's not just about the works, it's not about the practices, it's about their hearts! Not doing things to be seen or acknowledged, not to be praised by man, but to walk in deeper humility. Several times it says that the people, teachers and disciples are amazed or astounded at His teachings! (7:28; 22:22; 12:23; 21:20; 19:25; 22:33; 8:27; 9:33; 13:54; 15:31)

Main Idea- Jesus IS the fulfillment of the law.

3. What is the primary reason this book was written?
   
   
   The problem was that they were doing things for all the wrong reasons and looking so hard for the signs of the Messiah that they missed Him.
   From the stories in the text and the messages Jesus was trying to communicate through them it seems as though the people of the times were very good at being religious and sticking to the teachings of the Law but they were missing the bigger picture, the thing God had been trying to teach them for years- it's all about the heart.
   The book begins by telling the lineage of Jesus, exactly where He came from so as to show the people that He's just like them, but His life had been prophesied (1: 23; 2:5-7, 15, 23; 4:15-17; 8:17; 12:18-21; 21:4-5, 42; 26:24, 31; 27:9) and it shows the fulfillment of the prophesies about the times (2:17-19; 12:35; 15:7-9; 21:13,16). This would have been particularly important to a Jewish audience.
   He reassures them that He didn't come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (5:17-19). They had all the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah yet they continued to doubt Him and persecute Him.
   He refuted all of their teachings, caused uproar, and broke their traditions. He did things differently than they did to show them how stuck in their ways they were and how much they were missing the point. They knew all the laws, they knew all the regulations, they knew what to do and what not to do, but they were so caught up in following the rules that they missed the relationship with God part. They did things for all of the wrong reasons (Chapter 6).
   The teachers of the religious law and Pharisees were the worst, constantly questioning Him trying to catch Him saying something against the law (9:14, 12:2, 9, 24, 28; 17:24; 19:3,7; 21:23; 22:17, 36). He came to break the mindsets of the time and show them that there was more to their religion than just the practices and the law.
   
   
   
   
4. What does this book show about the character and nature of God?
   
   
   He doesn't care who He offends even if it's the so called most religious people of the time (15:12). He says it like it is, plain and simple. The Gospel in itself is offensive to many. It's not so fluffy and accepting of everything. There are things He's very strict about and He doesn't fluctuate on them.
   God pays attention to details and picks people to write His texts that know different people groups and know how to best relate to those He's trying to reach. As seen in the variations between all the gospels, God chose different men from different standings to write specifically to different people so that they may come to know Him.
   God's teachings never change; the teachings of the Old Testament are still the ones in the New Testament.
   He loves a persistent heart and a heart that seeks to know Him and comes to Him with desire to see Him work (7:7-8). He responds to the prayers and gives good gifts to those who ask of Him! (7:9-11).
   
   
   
   
5. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

As in all of the gospels, the redemptive plan is the crucifixion and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, the work of Jesus on the cross and the gift of salvation that we have been given. But I love seeing the genealogy at the very beginning of the book. Matthew lists from Abraham down to Jesus and makes note of the women. After having read the Old Testament it's so cool to see how 1. the Lord fulfilled His promise by using the line of David, but 2. how many people in his genealogy made huge mistakes! But God used each of those people, each of their circumstances and the outcomes of every story to further His glory and still in the end the plan of redemption was fulfilled. He truly did redeem what was broken, messed up and unclean!

7. Personal Application:
   
   
   I wonder how many times in my life there have been that the Lord made something so incredibly clear to me; I had all the foreknowledge to know that was I was looking at was from Him but I doubted it. In hindsight things always make sense and we see how what we knew prior to the occurrence of whatever it was actually lined up and fulfilled what the Lord had spoken and in the moments of trying to figure things out we doubt the blatant signs saying, “Oh, that must just be a coincidence.” But when we finally see these things it's often too late. And then what do I do? I recently walked through a similar situation in my life where everything made sense but I didn't allow myself to believe what was right in front of me. And still, even now I don't really know what was what, but I realize that I should've just gone with what I saw rather than over-spiritualizing things and waiting for this huge, beaming sign. I think this is what the Pharisees and religious teachers did. They saw everything, but it maybe almost seemed to good to be true so they doubted and questioned and challenged Him on it instead of just giving thanks that something fit and embracing it the way it was. Lord, would you change my perspective! Allow me to see the way you see, to stop over complicating things and just see them for what they are. To no longer be like the Pharisees so caught up in the religiosity that I miss the amazing gifts and blessings that you've placed before me. Would you rid me of control and the entitlement to know and understand everything. Would I simply live my life in joyful thanksgiving, being aware of the teaching of the Scriptures and evaluating things to make sure they match up with you Word, but not so caught up in it that I miss the truth, realities and fulfillments of the words that You've spoken to me! Rid me of doubt and cynicism!
   
   
8. Point of Passion: Family.
   
   
   In the very first Chapter of Matthew we see the story of Mary's encounter with Gabriel and Joseph's response. And then we see God's commitment to a chosen family. In other gospels we see Mary's response to the news, maybe a little worry, but of faith. Knowing the child wasn't his, Joseph's initial reaction was to break the engagement quietly so as to not publicly disgrace Mary. But while he is contemplating this the Lord shows up in a vision and tells him not to leave her. From that point on we see Joseph's obedience to God's direction in keeping Mary, the baby and himself out of harm's way. He trusted God with the woman he loved, God honored their engagement, and his faithfulness to God is what directed the course of history. God chose two faithful people, who were obviously followers of Him to carry out His plan of redemption. As men and women, husbands and wives, how are we currently living in full faith and obedience to the call of the Lord? Like Mary and Joseph, our faith and obedience despite surface level appearances may be instrumental in shaping the future of the world. How can we, now, right where we are, chose to walk in greater faith and obedience to the call of the Lord? How can we entrust ourselves, our spouses/future spouses, children, direction, plans, etc to the Lord?