The Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew

Background n WHEN: 65-79 A.D. n WHERE: Antioch n WHO: Jewish-Christian Diaspora/intense conflict with Jewish synagogues of region.

Training Manual for the Kingdom of Heaven n Matthew writes to establish an ORDERED WORLD in which Jesus has all authority and defends this view against rival world views. n JESUS AS TEACHER/PROPHET OF GOD S PEOPLE: n New Moses: Deut. 18/Deut. 34 someone who sees God and speaks with God face to face. New Exodus!

Jesus as interpreter of Law n Jesus fulfills TORAH; expounds Law in new/ authoritative way (Matt. 23). n More than a dozen formula quotations in Matthew nothing is random, everything is occurring under the authority of God s will. n FIVEFOLD DIVISION OF MATERIAL: each section ends with, when Jesus had finished these words ;extends MOSES TYPOLOGY (Deut. 31:1; 32:45). Extensive blocks of teaching material: to acknowledge Jesus authority is to OBEY teachings (Matt. 7:21-23); to disobey teachings is to build on sand (24-27).

Genealogy 14 generations -1:17 dw ;d (daœwˆîd) David 5

Sermon on the Mount n TORAH OF THE MESSIAH n you have heard that it was said but I say to you n FULFILLMENT (17-20); The six antitheses of 5:21-48 explicitly counterpose the AUTHORITY OF JESUS to the TRADITIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW. n Rather than RULES THAT FIX STANDARDS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, JESUS TREATS THEM AS POINTERS TO A MORE RADICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS ALL THE WAY DOWN.

Torah of Messiah all the way down. n Murder and Adultery NO! Anger and Lust renounced. n Legal limitations on divorce and revenge NO! These options eliminated altogether. n Obligation to love your neighbor (i.e. fellow Israelite) not enough, Jesus calls TO LOVE ENEMIES.

Training for the Kingdom n FORMATION AND DISCIPLING OF CHURCH: primarily, the community of those who are taught. n The importance of INSTRUCTION that gospel offers is often underscored: Matt. 28 (Disciple teach obey) and parables of Matt. 13. n Not about individualized spiritual formation, but DISCIPLINED COMMUNITY OF FOLLOWERS OF JESUS (ecclesial).

Ekklesia (2X) n Matt. 16:18 and on this rock I will build my ekklesia. n Matt. 18:17 unrepentant brother/sister disciplined by ekklesia. n ( Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Matt. 12:30). Jesus is the founder of God s Church--that which he has expressly called, taught, and authorized.

Community s Ethic of Perfection 5:48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. n Church lives as uncompromising demonstration of obedience to God s will: light of the world, city on a hill, salt of the earth, Let your light shine n righteousness that exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees. Blessings upon the meek, merciful, pure, makers of peace, and sufferers (due to righteousness) convey a NEW COMMUNITY OUT OF SYNC WITH the normal order of the world. MAKE SENSE?

Community of Disciples n HOW DO WE RECONCILE THE STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH THE NEED TO DEAL MERCIFULLY WITH HUMAN WEAKNESS AND FAILURE?

Purpose of the Law paidagwgo/ß paidagoœgoés [attendant, guide] Gal. 3:24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Matt. 22:36 Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? 37 Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two 12

Community s Ethic cont. n Compared to HALAKIC RULINGS OF THE MISHNAH and COMMUNITY RULE OF THE QUMRAN COVENANTERS (1QS), the Sermon on the Mount seems broad and incomplete. Why?

The Hermeneutic of Mercy n One of the crucial character qualities Jesus seeks to inculcate in disciples: MERCY. n I desire mercy, not sacrifice (2X 9:13; 12:7) n Yohanan Ben Zakkai (founder of rabbinic academy after Temple destroyed). n 1. I have come not to call the righteous but sinners. God s mercy is extended to sinners takes precedence over purity laws. n 2. Messiah not subject to ordinary Sabbath restrictions. Eating with sinners and harvesting grain? Law bears witness to weightier matters: justice, mercy, faith. The need for mercy will lead to the need of a Messiah!

Discipline and Forgiveness n Matthew 18:1-35 (fourth major discourse) n STEP 1 one on one (prevents backbiting and gossip) Lev. 19:17-18 (loving involves reproof). n STEP 2 Additional witnesses Deut. 19:15 (yet, not a legal proceeding ). n STEP 3 Expulsion NOTE: familial language n treat as you would a Gentile or tax collector? n 18:12-14 n 18:18-35 community authority and unlimited forgiveness.

I am with you always n Matt. 14:22-33; Matt. 28:18-20 COMMUNITY ORIENTATION n Pharisaic Judaism heavy boundaries and orthopraxy. n Jewish-Christian Church that operates according to love hermeneutic and creates an inclusive community that reached out to Gentiles.