05/22/06

Matthew: The Jewish Gospel Concerning the Moshiach

Matthew's gospel was written to the Jew.  Matthew Levi was a publican working as a tax collector from Capernaum, who is said to have died as a martyr in Ethiopia.  The process of conversion from Judaism to Christianity was a question of the Moshiach, and Matthew used the language "Son of David."  Matthew's gospel displays the focus of the "kingdom of heaven" or "kingdom of God" and has the concept of showing us the fulfillment of the prophetic messages concerning him.  Matthew's key verse was Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy but to fulfill."  It was said to be written between 60-65 A.D., and others attempt to believe it was written between 80-100 and as late as the 2^nd century.  It is considered the dating of "the Magdalan papyrus and the Gospel of Matthew to before the year 70.²"  According to Eusebius, "Concerning the four Gospels which alone are uncontroverted in the Church of God under heaven, I have learned by tradition that the Gospel according to Matthew...composed it in  the Hebrew tongue and published it for the converts from Judaism.¹"  Matthew was attempting to "demonstrate, by recording His words and the deeds of His life, that He was the Messias, the Head and Founder of the Kingdom of God, and the promulgator of its laws.³"  Christ's most famous discourse was the disclosure of his philosophy during his speech on the Mount of Olives, as well as the prophesy of the times.

I.  Birth and Preparation of Jesus Christ the King

II.  Message and Ministry of Jesus the Moshiach

     A.  Year of Obscurity

     B.  Year of Popularity

     C.  Year of Opposition

     D.  The Last Months

III.  The Suffering, Death, and the Resurrection of Jesus

     A. Suffering Christ

          1.  Sunday

          2.  Monday

          3.  Tuesday and Wednesday

          4.  Thursday

          5.  Good Friday

     B.  Risen Christ

     C.  Glorified Christ

References:

1.  Knight, K. "Commentary of the Gospel of Matthew: Book I". New Advent. Excerpt Quoted from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 9. 1896-7. 15 May 2006. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/101601.htm

2.  "Gospel of Matthew". Wikipedia. 15 May 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Matthew

3.  Jacquier, Q. "Gospel of St. Matthew". New Advent. 6 October 2005, 15 May 2006, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10057a.htm

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