A Snapshot of the Gospel of Matthew

Collect for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and, finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Snapshot of the Gospel according to Matthew:  A General Overview

Tradition has taught that the author of this gospel account was Matthew, also known as Levi, a tax collector whom Jesus called to follow him as one of his disciples. Tradition also teaches that Matthew’s gospel was written sometime between the years A.D. 50-65.

Matthew was a Jew and therefore his main audience was the Jewish community; however, Matthew includes the Good News to all people who would come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, Christ. Matthew’s main concerns are Jesus’ relationship to Israel and Israel’s rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. The major themes teach that Jesus is Christ the King, the Messiah and Jesus fulfilled the prophesies of the Old Testament and the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew wrote his gospel in a pattern of narrative and discourses, or teachings of Jesus. The narrative breaks the gospel into three sections. Chapters 1:1-4:16 establishes the identity of Jesus in the lineage of Abraham and as the Son of God and sets the stage for his ministry. Chapters 4:17-16:20 tells about the ministry of Jesus, calling of his disciples, healings, teachings, and miracles. Chapters 16:21-28:20 narrate Jesus’ Passion, death and resurrection.

Within these narratives we will read the five discourses, or teachings of Jesus. The first discourse is in chapters 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount, or “how we live together in community for the kingdom of God.” The second discourse, chapter 10, is Jesus’ Ministry Discourse, or “how we serve and act as evangelists for the gospel.” The “Parables of Jesus”, chapter 13, is the third set of Jesus’ teachings.  In chapters 18-20 Jesus taught about how we build God’s community of believers and not to be stumbling blocks for others. Finally, Jesus taught about the end of times, the eschatological discourse (chapters 24-25).

As Matthew weaves his gospel his concern is not with chronology of events, rather to give clear evidence that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, Christ, the Savior for all people. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them,” (5:17).

Written by The Rev. Carla McCook

Rector

St. Thomas of Canterbury, Greendale