I just recently read through the rich Gospel of Matthew again and mined some timely treasures I want to tease you with, urging you to dust it off and read (watch or listen) for yourselves.
Comfort by Way of Disclosure
Before I launch into St. Matt's recollections, let me admit that when I first started reading the Bible some twenty-five years ago, I was positively clueless. I didn't know the Old Testament from the New, the names or number of gospels, or really much of anything at all. In fact, I started reading the Bible because I was on the brink of throwing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.
I was engaged to a faithless man who insisted we get married in the Catholic church.
Raised nominally Catholic, I'd dabbled in assorted other religions that left me disillusioned and unconvinced, even though I still see Truth reflected in many. I wanted to make sure I knew precisely what I was tossing, without human filters like priests, pastors, or prejudice. I wanted to make up my own mind. I did, soon completely convinced Jesus was who He claimed to be. I was flooded with love and liberation. I broke the engagement, and embarked on a wild ride I'd say I overcomplicated, fueled by fear. I now accept it was what I needed to get me where I am today, trusting God indeed works all for the good (Romans 8:28).
The journey since has been rough, maybe rougher than it needed to be, but decidedly formative. Regardless, the meandering always returns to Jesus. Nearly all else is subject to interpretation. My recent thoughts on Unity in Christ reflect about where I am today.
As for the Bible, there have been times in my journey when I was highly motivated to read the Bible of my own initiative. I couldn't get enough of it and was dazzled with revelations. conviction, comfort, and practical wisdom. Other times, not so much. I’ve gone fairly long spells without reading more than mere snippets. I can’t deny it’s sometimes hard to pick up, words blurring on the page as I plod. This can shift from one day to the next. I ask God for help.
I remember someone once saying to me, read it anyway because God’s Word has power (super-spiritual John calls Jesus “the Word,” ya know), whether we’re “into it” or understanding it or not. It changes you. If you just read on principle, before you know it, something will spark a major WOW! It also honors God to prioritize it, not in a religious or superstitious way (done that, too), but out of love.
Bad example maybe, but it’s like watching Gone with the Wind with your wife when you’d rather have teeth pulled. You love her, know it pleases her, and heck, Rhett Butler and the escape from Civil War Atlanta is really cool. Before you know it, you’re engaged and it pays great dividends either way.
Another little tip. I do love liturgical calendars that give us a selection of readings, but I hope you’ll read those snappy passages in context, straight from The Book. Bust out the actual Bible to get the full picture. You may be astonished at how it shifts your perspective.
I hope you will read Matthew...or Mark, Luke, and John. Come to your own conclusions.
Don't ask me what this is age-restricted. Beautifully filmed in Morocco with Aramaic speaking actors and English word-for-word narration. It's a treat.
Highlights of Matthew
So, without further ado or a full expository analysis, here are some tantalizing aspects of Matthew:
As the first Gospel of the New Testament, our Jewish tax collector friend Matthew provides the richest gospel account, transitioning readers from Old Testament to Jesus plus.
Please don’t dread or skim over that opening genealogy! Apart from showing Jesus’ Jewish lineage as the promised Messiah, I love that it reveals Christ’s VERY SKETCHY family tree: Liars, drunks, idolaters, whores, murderers, outcasts of all kinds. (And a few regular, godly people, too…wink-wink).
It’s a substantial digest of other Jesus essentials including the Nativity, many familiar parables, key teachings, the Passion, the Resurrection, Ascension, and Great Commission.
I especially like the loads of dialogue with those pesky, purse-lipped Pharisees including the sound verbal thrashing and dire threats in Chapter 23.
Likewise, we all get a more complete picture of loving, gentle Jesus and straighten-up-and-fly-right-or-else Jesus.
Of course, the end times overview and final judgment are especially compelling nowadays.
“6And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.” Matthew 24:6-8
Other Personal favorites in Matthew: Dinner with the sinners at Matt's house, unlikely "Rock" Peter getting the “Keys to the Kingdom,” The Sermon on the Mount/Beatitudes, and an assortment of catchy turns of phrase for us word-nerds.
Totally different vibe, this is also word-for-word, with a happy, very American Jesus.
I’m sure I overlooked some other essential element, so please comment or simply share a favorite feature.
I hope you’ll take time to read through Matthew and post your insights here.
Until then!
and here's a soothing audio-only version
PRAYER:
God, thank You for the riveting, edifying, and enriching contents of Your Word. Whet our appetite for more of You and open our minds to this timeless treasury of unparalleled wisdom. Help us see how it applies to us this very day. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen. Thank You. I love You.
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