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Matthew

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Each of the Gospels brings its own delights;  in Matthew we have the advantage of somebody's notes.  Matthew, also known as Levi, was called from his profession of being a tax collector to follow Jesus.  He took along his ability to write shorthand; evidently, he was very good at it.  The red letter quotations in Matthew are free flowing.

The modern scholar considers that Mark was written first.  The ancients (who were there at the time) said Matthew's Gospel was written first.  There is some thought that he first wrote it in Aramaic, then translated it into Greek.  This might explain the sequence, if Mark got in with his work in the middle. 

This study will take some time.  It's worth it, for there is nothing which compares with meeting the Master.  Let us enjoy the company of disciples while we may.

A teacher's note:  unknown to most teachers, there exists a marvelous resource for the Gospel of St. Matthew.  It is the Catena Aurea, or "Golden Chain", of Thomas Aquinas.  It consists of a section by section set of comments by the greatest minds of the early and medieval church, assembled together by the man who was undoubtedly the finest theologian and philosopher Christendom has ever seen.  Some of the names are familiar, most are not.  But here you have the cream of teaching, and sweet cream it is indeed.

This resource is available at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.  It's free.

Downnloads:  Matthew (PDF) (Kindle or e-pub formats;

Order paper copy here

Family Album

 

Matthew 1:1-16

 

Matthew 1:1-16. The genealogy of Joseph, the husband of Mary.

The Magi

 

Matthew 2:1-12

 

The adoration of the Magi for the incarnation of the word of God.

John the Baptist

 

Matthew 3

 

John the Baptist, the voice in the wilderness. His preaching; Christ's baptism: the Trinity revealed.

The Call

 

Matthew 4:12-25

 

The call of James and John, Peter and Andrew - fishers of men.

Temptation in the Wilderness

 

Matthew 4:1-11

 

 

Matthew 4:1-11. Christ, led into the wilderness by the Spirit, encounters the supreme temptations of the flesh, of the world and of pride

The Slaughter of the Innocents

 

Matthew 2:13-23

 

Matthew 2:13-23. The Slaughter of the Innocents. An examination of the suffering of the innocent, as exemplified by this slaughter. Why do the innocent suffer?

The Birth of Jesus

 

Matthew 1:18-25

 

Matthew 1:18-25. The Birth of Jesus. An examination of the character of Mary and Joseph, and an analysis of the necessity of the virgin birth.

Beatitudes - I

 

Matthew 5:1-5

 

Matthew 5:1-5. Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are they that mourn, blessed are the meek

Beatitudes - II

 

Matthew 5:6-8

 

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness; blessed are the merciful, the pure in heart

Beatitudes - III

 

Matthew 5:9-12

 

An examination of Matthew 5:9-12. Blessed are the peacemakers - sometimes bloody, too. The certainty of persecution and the joys that come with it.

Salt, Light & Law

 

Matthew 5:13-20

 

Matthew 5:13-20. An exposition of the salt of the earth, the light of the world and fulfillment of the Law

But I Say…

 

Matthew 5:21-48

 

 

 

Matthew 5:21-48. An exposition between the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer in which Christ extends the will of God from Law to thought, words and action. He comments on the "vow" - especially in marriage. Here also is the command to love your enemies.

Stealth Christianity

 

Matthew 6:1-18

 

The Sermon on the Mount - The Lord's Prayer. Almsgiving, prayer and fasting to be done in secret.

Social Security

 

Matthew 6:19-34

 

A review of Jesus words on money and security. Famous phrases include "You cannot serve both God and money," "Consider the lilies of the field," and "Each day has enough trouble of its own."

The Narrow Gate

 

Matthew 7

 

Matthew 7. The Golden Rule; pearls before swine; ask, seek and knock; the narrow gate; wolves in sheep's clothing; by their fruits you will know them; the house built on the rock; the house built on the sand

Two Men’s Faith

Matthew 9:1-17

Three healings by Jesus; an analysis of the use of authority. The leper, the Centurion and Peter's mother-in-law

Authority in Action

Matthew 8:18-34

The Scribe and the young man who would follow Jesus; calming the sea; Demon possession and pigs.

Raising the Roof

Matthew 9:1-8

The healing of the paralytic lowered through the roof.

Grace and Power

Matthew 9:9-17

The call of Matthew

A Woman’s Touch

Matthew 9:18-35

The healing of Jairus’ daughter; the woman with the “issue of blood;” two blind men

Compassion

Matthew 9:35 – 10:23

Workers for the harvest; the good shepherd, sending the twelve; the shrewd and innocent.

Trouble is Constant

Matthew 10:24 – 42

The disciple is not above his teacher; told in darkness, repeat in the light; not peace, but a sword

Burden is Light

Matthew 11

An examination of the role of John the Baptist; contrasted with Jesus, showing how that generation was indeed very sinful

Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew 12:1-21

Christ revealing Himself as one greater than the Sabbath, greater than the Temple. The comparison between Law and Spirit. The prophetic meekness of Christ.

The Unforgivable Sin

Matthew 12:22-37

The concept of the house divided (liar, lunatic or Lord). Unforgivable sin, sin against the Holy Spirit, the fundamental unity of the church, a tree by its fruit, every careless word.

Seeking a Sign

Matthew 12:38-50

An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign. The worthlessness of our own reformation; the family of God.

Parables

Matthew 13

Several parables of Jesus - sower and the soils, wheat and the weeds, and several short ones.

Sex and Murder

Matthew 14:1-12

Herod beheads John the Baptist

Walks on Water

Matthew 14:13-36

Feeding the Five Thousand; Jesus Walks on Water. Primary focus is on the miraculous, both of old creation and new creation.

Out of the Heart

Matthew 15:1-20

An examination of hypocrisy when performed by experts.

Dogs

Matthew 15:21-28

The woman of Tyre, the woman of "great faith."

Sailor’s Delight

Matthew 15:29 – 16:12

The Feeding of the Four Thousand; Signs of the Times; Beware the Leaven

No Other Question

Matthew 16:13-28

An examination of Peter's Great Confession, followed by "Get thee behind me, Satan." Final segment is "Take up your cross."

Power and Glory

Matthew 17:1-13

The Transfiguration

Down From the Mountain

Matthew 17:14-27

Jesus and the three disciples come down from the Transfiguration to a faithless generation, disciples of little faith and a tax paying fish.

Greatness and Humility

Matthew 18

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? What must I do to restore my brother to the faith? How often must I forgive?

Breaking Up

Matthew 19:1-15

Christ's teaching on divorce.

What Do I Still Lack?

Matthew 19:16-30

The Rich Young Ruler. Christ's encounter with a rich man of "ordinary holiness" - the good guy with one little problem.

Success

Matthew 20

The parable of the day laborers; the mother of James and John asks for their preeminence; healing the blind

Enter the King

Matthew 21:1-22

The Triumphal Entry; Cleansing the Temple; Withering of the Fig Tree

A Case of Authority

Matthew 21:23-46

The Pharisees question Jesus' authority; He asks them about the authority of John the Baptist. Also, the Parable of the Vineyard

Old Parable

Matthew 22:1-14

The Parable of the Wedding Feast.

Caesar’s Silver

Matthew 22:16-22

Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.

The Core

Matthew 22:23-46

Three discourses in which our Lord outlines the doctrines of the resurrection of the dead, the great commandments, and the Lordship of the Messiah

Seven Woes

Matthew 23

Christ condemns the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

Mt. Olive – Prophecy

Matthew 24:1-44

The Olivet Discourse - Prophecy

Three Parables

Matthew 24:45 – 25:30

The parables of the good and evil servants; the wise and foolish virgins and the parables of the talents.

Sweet and Terrifying

Matthew 25:31-46

The Separation of the Sheep and the Goats. Either "the most terrifying section of the New Testament" (C. S. Lewis) or "that most sweet section of Scripture" (Chrysostom).

Devotion and Betrayal

Matthew 26:1-16

Passover; Mary anoints Jesus for His burial; the betrayal by Judas

Last Passover

Matthew 26:17-29

Institution of the Lord's Supper

Garden Scene

Matthew 26:30-36

In the garden of Gethsemane.

Trials

Matthew 26:57 – 27:26

The trials of Christ - and Peter and Judas

The Crucifixion

Matthew 27:27-56

The crucifixion of Christ.

The Resurrection

Matthew 27:57 – 28:20

The Resurrection of Christ, examining the theories that point away from it - and returning the Christian to live in the power of the Resurrection.

These lessons were originally delivered in 2005 - 2007.

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