The gospels present independent, coherent narratives centering on the messianic mission of Jesus Christ which culminates in his death on the cross and his resurrection. Each of the four gospels are necessary in the story of Jesus because they each have a distinct structure and literary plan with a particular theological emphasis. Each gospel highlights a different aspect of Jesus’ identity and mission. Viewed together the four gospels provide a comprehensive testimony of the most remarkable man who ever lived, the God-man Jesus Christ, who came to earth from heaven to secure salvation for those who place their trust in him.
The book of Matthew is placed as the first gospel in the Bible because it’s the Jewish gospel and God’s original plan was to bring salvation to the Jew first and then the Gentile. Matthew is the bridge between the Old and New Testaments. Matthew weaves Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah with New Testament fulfillment of those prophecies in the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible contains over sixty prophecies about the promised Messiah which Jesus fulfilled and Matthew covers just about all of them. Matthew refers back to Old Testament prophecy about sixty times with statements such as “was fulfilled” and “so that what was spoken might be fulfilled.”
Matthew was a Jew writing his gospel in Hebrew between 60-70 AD with a strong Jewish perspective to convince other Jews that Jesus was the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. All Jews knew the Messiah would be a direct descendant of King David so Matthew began his gospel with a genealogy of Jesus’ bloodline from Abraham through King David and finally to Joseph. Many people don’t realize it but if the rule of the kings of Israel had not been broken Joseph the carpenter would have been the rightful king of Israel as a son of David. Jesus, as the adopted son of Joseph, was the legal heir to the throne of Israel. Most people are also unaware that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was also of the Davidic bloodline. Jesus was heir to the throne of Israel both legally through Joseph and by blood through his mother Mary. God was making it clear to everyone from every angle that his Son Jesus Christ was King of the Jews.
As an Apostle of Christ and one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus Matthew saw the miracles Jesus performed and heard his teachings about the kingdom of God. Matthew wrote his gospel to preserve his eyewitness testimony about the ministry of Jesus. Matthew’s gospel emphasizes certain theological truths. First, Jesus is the Messiah, the long-awaited King of God’s people. Second, Jesus is the new Abraham, the founder of a new spiritual Israel consisting of all people who choose to follow him. We refer to this as the church, the kingdom of God, consisting of both believing Jews and Gentiles. Third, Jesus is the new Moses, the deliverer and instructor of God’s people. Fourth, Jesus is the Immanuel, the virgin-born Son of God who fulfills the promises of the Old Testament.
The gospel of Matthew has given us the entire salvation plan for man from Genesis to Revelation. Matthew reveals God’s future plans for his church and kingdom. Matthew contains the five discourses of Jesus outlining many of his teachings which is why Matthew is known as the teaching gospel. Scripture is quoted from Matthew more often than any of the other gospels. Matthew is especially strong concerning end time events and the Second coming of Jesus Christ. Matthew’s dominating theme is that of Jesus as King. Matthew writes his gospel ultimately to demonstrate the royalty of Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Lion of Judah, and the Son of Almighty God. On the Mount of Olives before ascending back to heaven Jesus gave his disciples the Great Commission, which was to preach the gospel to all nations. Matthew went on to preach the gospel of Christ in Ethiopia where he suffered martyrdom by the sword.
Witnessing for Christ