Introduction
G-d Has Spoken to Us
“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His Word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”
John 5:37-40
Introduction
- In Parts 1 and 2, we saw the Kingdom message (the “Gospel” – the “Good News”) was, “Repent, the Kingdom of G-d is at hand!” We are now digging into the final eight chapters of Matthew. The goal of the Kingdom message becomes more evident. In it, we are given a glimpse into the “Mystery of the Gospel.”
- The Word Incarnate
- At Sinai, G-d spoke in an audible Voice that all Israel could hear and see.
- Num 12:1-8: G-d spoke to His foremost prophet, Moses, face-to-face.
- Deut 13:1-5: All prophets are to be tested against this: Is their message faithful to what G-d has already spoken?
- Deut 18:15-20: The Promise of a Prophet who will speak face-to-face like Moses.
- Acts 7:53: Angels (plural) attended the giving of Torah.
- Acts 7:30-38: Angelos: Messenger. One sent with tidings. This One is not merely observing the giving of Torah – He is speaking it.
- John 1:1-4, 14: The Voice, the Memra, the Word became flesh. At Sinai they heard and saw the Voice, but that Voice did not dwell with them eternally – until John 1:14.
- Hebrews 1:1-13: The Written Torah speaks of Yeshua, the Living Torah. The Living Torah explains and lives the Written Torah. Yeshua is not a replacement for G-d’s words, He is the embodiment of them, for they came from Him. He is a qualitative improvement, because we can “see” Him face to face.
- Rom 10:4-5: Yeshua is the telos[the goal] of Scripture. There is life in the Word.
Overview
- Without relationship, history is only information. To study the historical context of Matthew BECAUSE of our relationship to Yeshua can only enhance our relationship with Him.
- The classical way of understanding the Apostolic Scriptures and especially the Gospels is that there was a contest – a debate that was ongoing. The classic understanding has been that the debate was between salvation by “works” versus salvation by “faith.” That is a worthy debate, and it is an ongoing one, but that was not the overarching debate in the Gospels or Epistles.
- The debate was between “G-d’s way” or “Man’s interpretation and tradition about G-d’s way.” This one historical fact will color the Apostolic Scriptures and give greater insight into our own application of them. For this reason, we see the foundational teaching of the Gospel in Matthew as “Repent…” as a call to RETURN to G-d’s way – not the inauguration of a NEW way.
- Knowing that the Gospel message was first only given to the Jews is important. We have only seen hints at something else. As well, the “hidden” aspect of Yeshua's Messiahship was by design.
Review
Chapter Eleven
- We were reminded that John the Baptizer was forerunner of Yeshua. We saw that He came in the mold of Elijah, who was promised to return before Messiah, and to turn the people back to the Torah of G-d. We were reminded of the Kingdom message (“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”) We saw that Yeshua's said His way was easy and His burden light.
Chapter Twelve
- Yeshua challenged the religious authorities of His day with the difference between tradition and G-d’s commands. We learned that some of the religious authorities were more concerned with their own influence and power than they were about G-d’s Word. Sabbath was an issue that had been perverted in many ways from what G-d intended. Yeshua set the Sabbath back where it belongs. We saw that Yeshua continued to conceal His identity as Messiah.
Chapter Thirteen
- This is the chapter of the Kingdom parables. We saw that parables are simply stories to illustrate a single point in order to cause the hearer to make a decision. The Kingdom parables taught us that the Kingdom of G-d was a relationship with the King.
Chapter Fourteen
- The miracle of the “Feeding of the 5,000” carried important symbolism in the use of the numbers, five barley loaves, 2 fish, 12 baskets remaining. We saw the “walking on water” miracle as a direct revelation of the Deity of Yeshua. The bottom of the sea was seen as the realm of demons – Yeshua walked over this, showing His uncontested authority.
Chapter Fifteen
- We saw Yeshua once again challenging some of the religious authorities on their traditions. Yeshua did not negate, or abolish Torah – He reestablished it as the only standard, which supersedes man’s traditions and doctrines. Like the miracle of the “Feeding of the 5,000” – the miracle of the “Feeding of the 4,000” carries with it great symbolism. Between the two we can see Yeshua's ministry first coming to the 12 Tribes of Israel, and then expanding out to the nations.
Chapter Sixteen
- We saw the confession of Peter that Yeshua was the Messiah. We saw that Yeshua confirms this and yet still tells His talmidim to tell no one else.
Chapter Seventeen
- As a confirmation to what Peter had proclaimed regarding Yeshua's Messiahship, G-d gives the witness of Moses and Elijah in the “Mount of Transfiguration” experience. Then G-d spoke and the three talmidim who were there heard the Voice of G-d declaring Who Yeshua is.
Summary
- Is a historical study simply “information” to you? Is it someone else’s history – or is it yours? Do you have a relationship to the One we are studying?