The Gospel of Matthew

Written to a Jewish audience, the book of Matthew portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of all messianic hopes.  The Old Testament predictions concerning a Coming One who will save and redeem His people is fulfilled in the Person of Christ.  His lineage, His teaching, His righteousness, and His resurrection show that the kingdom of God has come and the only proper and saving response is repentance.  The flow of the narrative and the emphasis in Jesus’ teaching demonstrate that to oppose Him will result in wrath when King Jesus returns.  On the opposite side, to humbly embrace Him and rest only in His sacrificial atonement will bring forgiveness of sins in this age and life when the Son of Man comes again.  Because Jesus has authority not only to define reality but also to forgive sins, He is a greater Moses whose redemption for His people is actualized because of his own life, death, and resurrection.   Jesus is not just of David’s line, He is the Lord of David who has inaugurated the kingdom to provide salvation for Jews and Gentiles alike.  While opposition came by Jewish authorities, His victory over sin and death shows that ultimate authority belongs to Him.

Ironically, while the Jewish people were anticipating a deliverer while intending to establish their own righteousness, they participated in the crucifixion of the only Righteous One who alone could deliver them from their self-righteousness.  All of the prophecies concerning the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus who calls people to Himself so that they will be true children of Abraham.  And true anticipation is in the second coming of Messiah Jesus.  He has accomplished full and complete redemption for all who trust in Him, and therefore his disciples bring the gospel to the nations.