Lesson Two: Matthew Part 2
“Now Yeshua stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, 'Are You the King of the Jews?' Yeshua said to him, ‘It is as you say.’”
Matthew 27:11
Introduction
- Last week we saw how Matthew was written to reveal the continuity of the Promise of a Seed.
- The redemptive identity begins early in Matthew – Messiah is “Son of David.” He is King Messiah, and His Kingdom is at hand.
- Matthew also reveals Messiah in the Master/Disciple relationship.
- This week we will look at how Matthew reveals Messiah in the atoning work that Yeshua accomplished.
G-d Dwelling With Man
- The original state in the Garden was lost because of man’s sin.
- The promised Seed was to restore what was lost.
- Exodus 25:8: The purpose of the Mishkan [Tabernacle] (and later the Temple) was to provide a time and place for G-d to dwell among His people. Exodus 40:33-35: Moses obeyed HaShem’s instructions perfectly – and yet although G-d came and dwelt in the Mishkan, no one could enter. Even Moses was kept from the presence of G-d. At this point, the Mishkan was not achieving its purpose: G-d dwelling among His people.
- Leviticus 4:27-35: Some korbanot [offerings] were to cover sin temporarily, thereby providing access to G-d dwelling in the Mishkan. The first 5 chapters of Leviticus deal with the 5 major korbanot. Of the major korbanot, only 2 are “sin” or “guilt” offerings. The others are worship expressions or are to purify the Mishkan itself. The purpose of the Mishkan was not for sacrifices. It was the korbanot that made the Mishkan a safe place for people to enter to experience the dwelling Presence of HaShem.
- Matt 1:21-23: Messiah, “G-d with us” – a way to make dwelling with G-d safe – He needed to provide a korbanot and a kapur [covering, atonement] for our sin.
Revealed in the Atoning Work of Messiah
- All of the animals offered in the Mishkan and the Temple only served a temporary purpose for the day that the worshipper was there – and those korbanot worked – they were effectual – but only for what they were designed for – temporary safety in HaShem’s Presence. To dwell with G-d permanently, a permanent atonement was needed.
- 4:1-11: All korbanot, whether for sin or not, were to be spotless. Messiah had to be spotless as well – in the area of sin.
- 26:57-66: Yeshua’s Messianic claim made openly – and the Messianic claim was more than merely a “savior” from Rome. He declares that He is “Im manu El” [G-d with us] – thus the High Priest could tear his robe for what he thought was blasphemy.
- 27:1-4: The “chief priests,” the elders, Judas, and Pilate were responsible for His death – which was necessary for our atonement.
- 27:37: Even in His atoning work, Yeshua is declared as King Messiah!
- 27:50-60: After dying, Yosef, a Pharisee prepares His body, thus rendering Himself unclean for the Passover, thus openly showing his devotion.
- 28:1-10: King Messiah, risen from the dead!
- 28:16-20: Sending His talmidim [disciples] to make talmidim for Himself. Not talmidim for themselves – but for Him. Teaching what He taught.
Summary
- The eternal problem of sin keeps man from G-d. For G-d to eternally dwell among men, the problem needed a permanent solution. Messiah, “Im manu El,” Himself, the Spotless Lamb, offered Himself as korban – and as kapur [atonement]. His perfect work and His resurrection make a permanent way back to the Presence of G-d.
- Messiah Yeshua sent His first talmidim to make more talmidim for Him. To teach them His teaching. To train them in His words. To cause them to repent, because His Kingdom is at hand. How are we doing?