Matthew

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Matthew:

The male lineage of Jesus Christ is given, from Abraham to King David to Joseph. Jesus means "savior," and Christ means "Messiah." The name, Immanuel, means "God with us," is also given to Jesus Christ. Jesus' birth to Mary was after her conception from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20) -- VIRGIN BIRTH. The story is told (Matthew 1) of Jesus being born in Bethlehem and being visited by wise men (Magi) from the east that brought presents of gold, incense, and myrrh. Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus went to Egypt to escape from King Herod's plot to kill the baby. After Herod's death, the family moved to Galilee and lived in Nazareth.

The story is told of John the Baptist describing of how he baptized people in the Jordon River while Another will "...baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11) Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist and was tempted in the wilderness by Satan -- asked to turn stones into loaves, jump off the Temple roof, or to accept the world rule from Satan, all of which Jesus did not do. The gruesome death of John the Baptist, where his head was delivered on a tray for Herodias' daughter, was described. (Matthew 14:1-12)


Jesus selected his twelve disciples, who were:


Jesus preached at Capernaum. He often spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven, with stories about it:

  1. From the Sermon on th Mount, given by Jesus to His disciples -- The BeatItudes (list of rewards of the Kingdom of Heaven)-- main Christian ethic)
    • "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    • Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
    • Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
    • Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
    • Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
    • Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
    • Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
    • Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    • Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.
    • Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5:3-12, from King James' Version-- Sermon on the Mount)
  2. "Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19 -- Sermon on the Mount)
  3. "I say to you that many will come from the east and the west (i.e. Gentiles), and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom (i.e. Hebrews) will be thrown outside, into the darkness ..." (Matthew 8:11-12)
  4. "Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My father in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)
  5. "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." (Matthew 12:36).
  6. "...The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." (Matthew 13:31,32)
  7. "...the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where their will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:47-51).
  8. "...unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4)
  9. "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)
  10. "...it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven...it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God...but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:23-26)


Jesus had many statements regarding how to live; some important ones were:

  1. "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28 -- Sermon on the Mount)
  2. "But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery." (Matthew 5:32 -- Sermon on the Mount; also in Matthew 19:9)
  3. "But I tell you: Do not swear at all..." (Matthew 5:34 -- Sermon on the Mount)
  4. "But I tell you: Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:39 -- Sermon on the Mount)
  5. "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ..." (Matthew 5:44 -- Sermon on the Mount)
  6. "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matthew 6:1)
  7. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men...But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:5-6)
  8. The Lord's Prayer(from King James' Version)
    • "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." (Matthew 6:9-13)
  9. "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink..." (Matthew 6:24-25)
  10. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34).
  11. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged...Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:1,3)
  12. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8, from King James' Version)
  13. "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)
  14. To Peter, who asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive ...seven times?" Jesus said, "...not seven times, but seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22).
  15. "And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and He is in heaven." (Matthew 23:9)
  16. "For whoever exalts himself (i.e., thinks of himself as great) will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (i.e., made great)." (Matthew 23:12)
  17. "...the more important matters of the law -- justice, mercy, and faithfulness..." (Matthew 23:23)


Jesus had many story-illustrations for people of his time. Summaries include:

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock...it did not fall...But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand...it fell..." (Matthew 7:24-26)

Farmer Sowing Grains: The farmer sows grains, some eaten by birds, some on rocky soil with little roots, some choked out by thorns, some falling on good soil to produce a great crop. This was explained (Matthew 13:18-23), whereby the good ground represents a man who understands His message and brings others into the Kingdom.

King with Debtor: King forgave a man a large debt. Then, the man refused to forgive a small debt owed to him. So the king was angry and punished the man. Likewise God would do the same to such a man. (Matthew 18:23-34)

Last First, First Last: A man paid a flat rate for all employees, some working a full day, some for only the last hours. Thus, all got the same reward because of the man's kindness. Likewise God would allow the last to be first and the first to be last -- or, everyone gets the same reward if accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 20:1-16)

King's Wedding Dinner: The King's invited guests did not come, so the King then invited everyone into the dinner. Many came but one did not wear the robe given to him, so that one was thrown out. Here (Matthew 22:1-14), Jesus says that all are invited to the Kingdom of Heaven, but "For many are invited, but few are chosen."

Cup Cleaning: To the Pharisees, Jesus said, "...First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." Here (Matthew 23:25-26) Jesus is speaking against hypocrisy.

Ten Bridesmaids: Five bridesmaids were prepared and had oil-filled lamps; five bridesmaids were not prepared -- with empty lamps. Those that were not prepared were not allowed to enter with the bridegroom. This (Matthew 25:1-12), regarding the Kingdom of Heaven, says, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." (Matthew 25:13)

Investment: Three servants were given different amounts of money to invest for their master; two doubled the money and one only buried the money for safekeeping. The story says, "For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance..." (Matthew 25:14-30) The one who buried the money gained nothing and was thrown out.


Jesus performed many healings and miracles. Summaries include:

  1. Leper -- healed (Matthew 8:2-4)
  2. Servant boy of Roman army captain, paralyzed -- Gentile healed (Matthew 8:5-13)
  3. Peter's mother-in-law, high fever -- healed (Matthew 8:14-15)
  4. Demon-possessed people -- demons fled; sick healed (Matthew 8:16)
  5. Demon-possessed men -- demons sent into pigs that were drowned (Matthew 8:28-32)
  6. Paralyzed boy -- jumped up, cured (Matthew 9:2-7)
  7. Rabbi's dead daughter -- became all right (Matthew 9:18-26)
  8. Two blind men -- sight returned (Matthew 9:27-31)
  9. Demon-possessed man couldn't speak -- speech returned, demon left (Matthew 9:32-33)
  10. Feeding the 5000: A large crowd had gathered in the wilderness with no food, so Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish, so that all ate well and had 12 basketfuls left over. (Matthew 14:14-21)
  11. Walking on Water: Disciples were in trouble on the lake with rough seas, so Jesus walked on the water out to them. Peter walked on the water but began to sink, so Jesus rescued him. The wind/seas calmed. (Matthew 14:23-33)
  12. Canaanite woman (Gentile) -- requested daughter be helped from demons; Jesus granted her request because of her humility. (Matthew 15:22-28)
  13. Feeding the 4000: At the Sea of Galilee, many people had gathered with no food, so Jesus multiplied seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, such that all ate well with 7 basketfuls left over. (Matthew 15:32-38)
  14. Two blind men -- sight returned (Matthew 20:30-34)


Jesus had many other main points, some including:

  1. "All things have been committed to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him" (Matthew 11:27)
  2. "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:50).
  3. To Simon PETER, whose name Peter meant "rock," Jesus said, "...you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven..." (Matthew 16:18)
  4. To His disciples, Jesus said, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it." (Matthew 16:24-25)
  5. "... if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20-21)
  6. "...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28)
  7. "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me...whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me..." (Matthew 25:35-45)
  8. A woman poured very expensive perfume onto Jesus' head and was criticized by Jesus' disciples. Jesus said she would always be remembered for her deed, for Jesus had only a short time left -- so the woman recognized Jesus' great value. (Matthew 26:6-13)


When asked why He dealt with sinners and tax collectors (people that were generally considered to be shunned), Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." (Matthew 9:12). Jesus said that all sins can be forgiven except one -- blasphemy (dishonoring; cursing) against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31,32). Jesus had disagreements with the Pharisees (religious party with strict Jewish beliefs based on Moses' laws -- exclusive and self-righteous people) and Sadducees (a party who followed the Roman rule, had political power and the priesthood, and did not believe in resurrection of the dead):


Jesus in Jerusalem:
Jesus went to Jerusalem "gentle and riding on a donkey" (Matthew 21:5) Jesus went into the Temple and drove out the merchants and money-changers, angering Jewish leaders. Judas Iscariot agreed to direct the chief priests to Jesus for payment of 30 silver coins. Jesus ate a Last Supper with the twelve disciples, where Jesus pointed out Judas (Matthew 26:25) as the person who would betray Him. Jesus took bread, and said, "Take and eat; this is My body." And, a cup of wine, saying, "...This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus prayed, "...My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39) Jesus told Simon Peter that Peter would deny Jesus three times "before the rooster crows," and, when Jesus was pointed out by Judas and taken away, Peter denied that he knew Jesus three times before the morning rooster crowing. To the high priest, Jesus said that He was the Messiah (Matthew 26:64). Judas regretted turning Jesus over to the chief priests, and he hanged himself.


The Crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27): Jesus was given to Pilate, the Roman governor, for sentencing. Pilate offered to release either Jesus or a criminal named Barabbas. The crowd, persuaded by the priests, said to release Barabbas and to crucify Jesus. Pilate washed his hands, claiming to be innocent of Jesus' blood, and then ordered Jesus to be crucified. The Roman soldiers put a crown of thorns on His head, mocked Him, took Him to Golgotha (meaning "The Place of the Skull") to be put on a cross with a sign over His head, reading "THIS IS JESUS,THE KING OF THE JEWS." For three hours, darkness occurred: then Jesus said the words "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?," meaning "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Jesus gave up His Spirit and died. Jesus was wrapped in a clean linen cloth and placed in a new tomb that had been cut out of the rock (given by a rich man named Joseph). A big stone was rolled in front of the entrance. The tomb was sealed and guarded.


The Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28): On Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and another Mary went to the tomb and saw an angel of the Lord, who told them that Jesus was not there, that He had risen from the dead, and would meet His disciples in Galilee. Jesus told His disciples to "...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and ... I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20).


With implications for the future yet to come, Jesus answered his disciples concerning the events that would signal the "end of the age" (or the world):

  1. "And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world, as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)
  2. "For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now -- and never to be equaled again." (Matthew 24:21)
  3. "Immediately after the distress of those days 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'" (Matthew 24:29)
  4. "And He will send His angels...and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." (Matthew 24:31)
  5. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away." (Matthew 24:35)
  6. "Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24:42)

 

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