Matthew
The Gospel for a Jewish audience. Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the Hebrew scriptures: a new Moses, a new David, the promised king whose kingdom looks nothing like anyone expected.
About this book: Matthew is the most Jewish of the four gospels. Written for a community that knew the Hebrew scriptures, it is full of fulfilled prophecy, new law, and deliberate parallels to Moses and David. The Sermon on the Mount is its centerpiece, the most demanding ethical teaching in the ancient world. Matthew's Jesus is both gentle and terrifying.
Chapters
The Name Before the Birth
A genealogy as theological argument. The lineage of unexpected people. Joseph's dream. Emmanuel.
The Star and the Sword
The Magi follow a star. Herod orders a massacre. The holy family flees to Egypt and returns.
Voice in the Wilderness
John the Baptist. Repentance as turning, not feeling. The baptism of Jesus and the heavens opening.
The Temptation and the Call
Forty days in the wilderness. Three temptations. "Follow me."
The Sermon on the Mount
The Beatitudes. Salt and light. The Lord's Prayer. "Love your enemies." The narrow gate.
Ten Miracles
The leper, the centurion, the storm, the demons. Authority over sickness, nature, and death.
The Twelve Sent Out
Instructions for mission. "I send you out as sheep among wolves." Do not fear.
Parables of the Kingdom
The sower, the wheat and weeds, the mustard seed, the hidden treasure, the pearl.
Passion and Resurrection
Gethsemane, the trial, the cross. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The empty tomb.