Matthew in 2min

Connecting Matthew to the Big Picture of the Bible

The Key Ideas of Matthew

To understand the Gospel of Matthew in 2 minutes, let's place it within the big picture of the Bible. The Bible reveals God's plan to rescue humanity through Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, we can see why this rescue is necessary because that's where the problem arises. And in the New Testament, we find the solution to the problem as the Gospels recount how God sent his son from heaven.

The Gospel of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament. It shows how the Old and New Testaments belong together and connects them with each other. So with that, let's dive in. In the Old Testament, we read how all humanity repeatedly fails to fulfill its calling to represent God. Their rebellion against his rule leads to chaos in marriages, families, and nations.

Amidst all this pain, the hope of salvation grows, especially in Israel, God's chosen people who yearn for the long-awaited Savior, King. a successor to King David's throne who will bring justice, peace, and salvation. This brings us to the New Testament and to the Gospel of Matthew. In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus, a descendant of David, is born.

He is the long-awaited king who will establish the kingdom of heaven, that is God's reign on earth. Jesus confirms his royal descent and shows how he leads a life in connection with God. He regularly appears in public explaining how things should be done in the kingdom of heaven. And his new teachings are accompanied by powerful miracles that confirm he truly is the savior sent by God.

And so Jesus instructs his disciples to spread the word that the kingdom is within reach. But Jesus is rejected as king by the religious elite. This marks the second part of Matthew's gospel. Here the emphasis is on the fact that Jesus is not only the descendant of David but also the descendant of Abraham. In Abraham it wasn't just the Jews who were blessed but all people. Jesus thus opens up the kingdom of heaven for all humanity.

Summary + Application to Christ

And he calls this new group the church. This church would truly represent the kingdom of God. But to fulfill this purpose, Jesus must die. And so he sets out for Jerusalem where he faces confrontations with the Jewish elite and delivers his famous endtime speech. In his speech, Jesus reveals himself as God who knows the big picture from beginning to end. And as the Gospel of Matthew comes to a close, Jesus dies on the cross.

Action Steps

He pays the price for the rebellion, not just of Israel, but of all people. And after 3 days, he rises from the dead, shows himself to his followers, and equips them to spread the message of salvation throughout the whole world. So, the Gospel of Matthew shows how the Old and New Testaments belong together and connects them with each other. Go ahead and read the Gospel of Matthew to see how the message of God's kingdom is open to all.

Do you recognize God's reign over your life? Does heaven already reign in your heart?