Posted by Searcher
on 8/18/2009, 11:23 am, in reply to "Re: Wisdom from God through men"
75.104.128.37
Dear Don,
The special emphasis of Matthew is the presentation of Christ as King of the Jews. Matthew has 60 references to the OT because the Law and the Prophets were fulfilled in the coming of their Messiah.
In Matthew 1:1, the genealogy of Christ begins with Him being called "the Son of David" (as well as the son of Abraham) because this was promised directly to David. (2Sam 7:10-16)
Jer 23:5
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephrath, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me That is to be Ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Matthew uses the expression "kingdom of heaven" instead of kingdom of God. This expression is Jewish and is found in the OT in regard to Israel. We know, of course, that "this generation" of Jews crucified and therefore their King.
John 1:11
He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
In Matthew, Christ tells His disciples not to go abroad out of the land to preach to the Gentiles.
Matthew 10:5,6
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
When the (Gentile)woman of Canaan came out from the coasts to beg the Lord to heal her daughter, He did heal her because the woman showed herself to have faith, but notice His response to her:
Matthew 15:22-27
22 And, behold, a woman of Caan came out of the same coasts, and cried out unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou son of David; my daughter is greviously vexed with a devil.
23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But He answered and said, I AM NOT SENT BUT TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL .
25 Then came she and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs.
The "children were the children of Israel. The Gentiles were despised by the Jews and considered to be contemptible "dogs".
The Gentile woman:
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Matthew does not have a salutation, but the content and the teachings are directly related to Israel rather than to the Gentiles.
Even when they crucified Him, Jewish prophecy was fulfilled:
Matthew 27:35-37
35 And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did they cast lots. (Ps 22:18)
36 And sitting down they watched Him there;
37 And set up over His head His accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
See John 19:19-21
Searcher
Message Thread:
« Back to thread