The Gospel of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament, and the first of four books commonly called the gospels, giving an autobiography in the life of Jesus.
Matthew was a Pharisee before becoming a disciple of Jesus. As a prominent leader of the Jewish nation he discovered who Jesus was, yet came to believe that he would become the King of the Jews. With his career background and seeing the potential in Jesus, he highlighted in his writings the areas that showed Jesus as King of the Jews.
From the outset of Matthews Gospel, he lists the full lineage of Jesus from the time of Abram when the Jewish nation was conceived. He goes on to describe Jesus’s birth, and is the one who tells us of the visit of the wise men from the east who came to visit Jesus as a baby, asking, “Where is he that is born king of the Jews”.
Matthew speaks a lot about the Kingdom of heaven. He explains that the Kingdom of Heaven, not being a physical place on earth but a spiritual Kingdom that lives in the lives of all those who become followers of Jesus.
Matthew details the teaching of Jesus, the many parables to aid His message, as well as many folks being healed of all sorts of disease.
In Matthew 25: Jesus warns of the changes and signs which will come to pass as the coming of the end of this world approaches. There will be very noticeable changes to the behaviour of mankind, a deep decline in moral behaviour, as well as changes to nature and outside our world. He exhorts everyone to be ready, because at that time Jesus will come back to earth to set up His new Kingdom. As He reminds us in Matthew 25:35 - 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
From Matthew 26: - Matthew describes the run up to the crucifixion of Jesus. It was the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind, giving each and every one the chance to turn to Him, asking Him for forgiveness with the guarantee of life eternal with Him. Matthew describes the fate of Judas Iscariot who hanged himself when he saw Jesus actually was crucified.
In the last chapter Matthew 28: Matthew records the victorious resurrection of Jesus and in the last few verses Matthew 28:16 gave us the great commission - 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew does not only tell us what Jesus said about living today, but shows us and warns us what will happen in a day to come, and shows how Jesus will set up his kingdom not only for Him as king of the Jews, but ruler of the whole world.
