ABOUT MATTHEW HIMSELF.
We only know little of Matthew but it is most revealing.
HE WAS A PUBLICAN. Matthew 10:3.
A Jew who had become a tax gatherer for the hated Romans, which was regarded as deeply dishonourable.
We read of “publicans and harlots” which indicates the general moral level of these people. He had no trouble admitting his position even in his own writings.
Mark and Luke named him as “Levi,” but also called him Matthew.
He mentioned the publicans and harlots—the lower class of people. Chapter 21:31 shows how publicans, in general, were regarded.
This reporting of them was revealing a self-abasing humility.
His name actually means, “Gift of Yahweh” and he lived up to his name.
HE BECAME A DISCIPLE OF JESUS. Matthew 9:9.
Mark and Luke say that when he left the “receipt of custom”, he was hospitable, opened “his own house” to the Lord, and gave a “great feast” for many other publicans to hear Jesus and used his accumulated money to pay for the experience.
Matthew then left all to follow Jesus.
HE WAS LATER APPOINTED AN APOSTLE. Matthew 10:3 (sent forth one!)
See the three accounts of Matthew, where Jesus sent him out as an Apostle to accompany Thomas.
HE BECAME THE WRITER OF THIS GOSPEL WHICH BEARS HIS NAME.
The theme of the book is: “Gospel now Declared!”
There had been 400 yrs of silence, and people were looking and waiting for the words of the Prophets to come true. The first people who recognised Jesus , the Messiah were Anna and Simeon.
The MESSIAH-KING will come. Matthew declares in his book that He has come, fulfilling the Old Testament and heralded by Angels.
Wise men went out in search of him.
Shepherds saw His star, and Herod wanted to kill Him.
Satan cruelly tested Him.
The prophet John presented Him to Israel.
God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK .
Jesus is the direct descendant of King David.
He is also a King of the Heavenly Realm.
Through forgiveness of sin; we become citizens of that realm.
Matthew teaches us how to behave in that realm, with Jesus:
AS OUR LOVING KING!!
Matthew, having met Jesus, had a real-life change.
He did not allow his past to affect his present or his future. For him, the past was past, and in Christ, he was a new person ready to be used by God however He should choose, and not according to men’s opinions of him.
“We thank God for you, Matthew, the gift of your life, and what you left for us in your wonderful Gospel.”
The life of Matthew challenges us to forget about our past failures and wrong choices and become new creatures in Christ.
You can always move on in the realisation that you are now a “new creation” in Christ. Old habits, old attitudes and behaviours are passed away, washed clean in the blood of the Lamb, and:
ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW. 2nd Corinthians, 5:17.
Move on, go forward, hand in hand with Jesus and see what God can do through you.
Amen.
Light in the Darkness. Ministry.
God is really interested in those of us who share His Word and that’s why I can confidently say that He is preoccupied with these messages from His Holy Word.
If you believe with me that I should touch the World ( which is my heart’s desire) You will be more than glad to support this ministry financially. I do not have the income to do what the Lord is calling me to do. Yes, you can use your tithes or offerings to support me. As this is God’s Calling and not for my personal gain.
I do not believe that if you do give into this ministry that God will bless you. We are “already blessed” when we give according to His Word.
2 Corinthians 6-11.
Please read, and God will show you that he looks at your heart ❤️ and takes pleasure those whose heart is pure and is a cheerful giver. This is not just blogging; it is a ministry that costs money, and I need supply to keep going. Please pray and consider being an integral part of this vital ministry namely.
LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS!
Thankyou and may God ABUNDANTLY bless you.
To comment: Heather Dalzell SMS 6104 17 545 814
To read more studies: Website Address.
Lightinthedarkness. 152884863Wordpress.com
Blessings, Heather.
Light in the Darkness! 