Introduction: A Story Born in the New Testament, Rooted in Ancient Hope
In the New Testament, few books have captured hearts, inspired nations, and shaped history as deeply as the Gospel of Matthew. Yet its story does not begin in Bethlehem, or at the Sea of Galilee, or even in the days when the Roman Empire ruled Israel.
It begins hundreds of years earlier in the ancient expectations, prophecies, and hopes preserved throughout the Old Testament.
The Gospel of Matthew is the bridge between these two worlds:
This article takes you on an immersive, story-like journey through:
-
The life of Matthew
-
The true historical setting
-
Jesus’ life, teachings, and miracles
-
The Old Testament prophecies He fulfilled
-
How Matthew crafted his Gospel
-
Hidden symbolism
-
The powerful message Matthew delivers to the world
Let’s begin this true, fascinating, and life-changing story.
1. Matthew’s Early Life: The Unlikely Author
Before he became a Gospel writer, Matthew had a life many Jews despised.
1.1 Matthew the Tax Collector
Matthew (also called Levi) worked as a tax collector for the Roman government. Tax collectors were seen as:
-
greedy
-
corrupt
-
traitors to their people
-
spiritually unclean
He collected money from Jews to give to their enemies, the Romans.
He was, in simple terms, the kind of man people avoided.
1.2 The Moment That Changed Everything
One quiet morning, Matthew sat at his tax booth counting coins. While others looked at him with disgust, one Man stopped in front of him Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus didn’t lecture him.
Jesus didn’t shame him.
He simply said:
“Follow Me.”
Matthew got up and left everything.
His past.
His wealth.
His reputation.
His profession.
He walked away into a new life that would one day impact millions.
At that moment, Matthew experienced something the Old Testament prophets often described:
God choosing the unlikely.
2. Why Matthew Wrote His Gospel
Matthew’s Gospel is not just a biography it is a message with a mission.
His goal was to prove:
✔ Jesus is the Messiah
✔ Jesus fulfilled ancient prophecies
✔ Jesus is the promised Son of David
✔ Jesus is the Savior the world waited for
But Matthew didn’t write this as a cold historian.
He wrote as someone who had lived this story, who had personally experienced Jesus’ mercy, teaching, miracles, and power.
He wrote as someone saved from a broken past.
This is why Matthew’s Gospel is filled with emotion, detail, and personal insight.
3. The World Into Which Jesus Was Born
To understand Matthew’s Gospel, we must understand its setting.
3.1 Israel Under Roman Control
In Matthew’s time:
The people longed for deliverance.
3.2 A Nation Waiting for a Messiah
For centuries, the Jews held onto Old Testament promises:
-
a King from David’s line
-
a Savior to defeat oppression
-
a Healer to restore the broken
-
a Teacher greater than Moses
-
a Light shining in the darkness
Matthew knew these prophecies well.
He wrote his Gospel to show that Jesus was the One they had been waiting for.
4. The Birth of Jesus: Beginning of a New Testament Era
Matthew begins with a powerful statement:
“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.”
In those words, he links Jesus to:
-
Abraham, the father of Israel
-
David, the greatest king
-
The Messiah, the promised Savior
4.1 The Virgin Birth
Matthew tells the story of Mary, visited by an angel, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy from Isaiah:
“A virgin shall conceive and bear a son.”
4.2 The Visit of the Wise Men
Wise men from the East traveled to worship the newborn King.
Their gifts gold, frankincense, myrrh symbolized:
-
Kingship
-
Priesthood
-
Sacrifice
4.3 The Escape to Egypt
When King Herod tried to kill Jesus, Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt, fulfilling the ancient words:
“Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
This theme repeats throughout Matthew:
Jesus fulfills promises made long before His birth.
5. John the Baptist: Preparing the Way
Before Jesus began His ministry, another figure appeared—a voice crying out in the wilderness.
John the Baptist.
Matthew shows that John fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy:
“Prepare the way of the Lord.”
John’s message was simple:
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
He baptized thousands, preparing hearts for the One coming after him.
6. Jesus’ Baptism: A New Beginning
When Jesus came to the Jordan River, John hesitated.
But Jesus insisted.
As He rose from the water:
This moment marks the beginning of Jesus’ New Testament ministry.
7. The Temptation: Jesus Faces the Enemy
Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness. Satan tempted Him three times, but Jesus resisted using the words of Scripture.
Matthew shows:
This battle proves Jesus can conquer sin and temptation for all humanity.
8. The Calling of the Disciples
Jesus began gathering His followers.
He called fishermen:
He called a tax collector:
He called the ordinary, the forgotten, the imperfect just like the Old Testament pattern where God chose shepherds, dreamers, and exiles.
9. The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus Gives the New Law
One day, Jesus climbed a mountain and began teaching.
Matthew describes this moment like a new Moses giving a new covenant.
Jesus taught:
-
The Beatitudes
-
The meaning of true righteousness
-
The heart behind God’s law
-
Love for enemies
-
The Lord’s Prayer
-
Living with faith and humility
The crowds were astonished.
His teachings touched the deepest parts of the heart.
10. The Miracles of Jesus: Heaven Touching Earth
Matthew records many miracles, each with purpose and Old Testament roots.
Jesus healed:
-
Lepers
-
The blind
-
The paralyzed
-
The demon-possessed
Jesus calmed storms
Jesus multiplied food
Jesus raised the dead
Each miracle demonstrated:
-
Authority
-
Compassion
-
Power
-
Fulfillment of prophecy
People said:
“We have never seen anything like this.”
11. Jesus as the Good Shepherd
Matthew paints Jesus as the Shepherd promised by prophets like Ezekiel.
Jesus described God’s love through parables of:
These stories carried deep Old Testament symbolism.
12. The Growing Conflict: Religious Leaders vs Jesus
As Jesus’ influence grew, so did opposition.
The Pharisees challenged Him.
The Sadducees plotted against Him.
The teachers of the law envied His authority.
Yet Jesus continued to:
And fulfill prophecy after prophecy.
13. Peter’s Confession: “You Are the Messiah”
At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples:
“Who do you say I am?”
Peter replied:
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus confirmed this truth—He was indeed the promised One.
14. The Triumphal Entry: The King Arrives
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy:
“Your king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey.”
Crowds shouted:
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Matthew shows the world’s long-awaited King had arrived.
15. The Last Supper: A New Covenant
During the Passover meal, Jesus broke bread and shared a cup of wine.
He said:
Matthew reveals Jesus as:
16. The Betrayal, Trial & Crucifixion
Matthew describes these events with heartbreaking detail.
Yet in every moment, prophecy was fulfilled.
Jesus cried out:
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
And He died.
The earth shook.
The curtain in the temple tore.
Tombs opened.
A Roman soldier declared:
“Truly, this was the Son of God.”
17. The Resurrection: The New Testament’s Greatest Moment
On the third day, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb.
An angel appeared.
The stone was rolled away.
The guards trembled in fear.
The angel said:
“He is not here. He is risen.”
Jesus appeared to His disciples, proving His victory over death.
This moment became the foundation of Christianity.
18. The Great Commission: A Global Mission Begins
Matthew ends his Gospel with Jesus’ command:
“Go and make disciples of all nations…
I am with you always.”
This fulfilled the promise made to Abraham:
Through your seed, all nations will be blessed.
Conclusion: Why the Gospel of Matthew Still Matters Today
The Gospel of Matthew is more than a book.
It is:
-
a true story
-
a divine message
-
a bridge between old promises and new realities
-
a testimony of God’s love
-
a record of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection
Matthew shows us:
This Gospel continues to touch lives, inspire faith, and change hearts all over the world.
Comments
Post a Comment