Matthew

Something fun that you may not know about me is that I am currently a seminary student, and I love it! I have deeply enjoyed diving into the Word of God with others, learning more about how to study the Bible and how to do ministry. This blog post is a deeper dive than what I typically post on Milk & Honey, but this past semester in my seminary cohort, we have been studying the Gospel according to Matthew and it has truly spoken so much life into my heart! I've learned that there is so much more to seek, explore and discover in the Word of God. I just want to share here a bit of what I've learned. <3

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The gospel according to Matthew in the Word of God is rich. It testifies of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, recording many important teachings and words of Jesus. The book of Matthew was written to the people of the early church, in particular those with a Jewish background. We have the gift of holding it in our hands thousands of years later, so that we may learn about who Jesus is, his messianic reign, the Kingdom of heaven and discipleship. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus is about more than simply providing a way for sinners to go to heaven some day. Matthew opens us to words and stories of Jesus that can lead us into a deeper understanding of God in all his glory and our lives as Christians. I want to use this space to dive into some of the ways Matthew speaks to the desires of our hearts to know Jesus deeper, and how knowing him changes our lives and the way we see the world.

We live in a culture that encourages us to live in our own truths according to our own preferences, essentially becoming our own highest authority over our lives. There are few voices encouraging us to submit to any authority that speaks into our daily lives, because it’s mistaken that freedom is found in absence of such involved authority. God has another way, and has created us to live in the freedom of his authority. Anything that claims to be truth apart from the authority of God is a lie, for we know that we find life in God’s righteousness. In chapters 5-7 as we read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he gives clear instruction and encouragement preaching on the beatitudes, murder, oaths, love for enemies, prayer, and much more. Jesus gives rich, authoritative instruction and encouragement to the crowd of listeners. At the end of his sermon as recorded in Matthew, Jesus closes with an encouragement to put into practice all that he has taught. Matthew 7:24-27 says,

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Our invitation is to live under his authority, trusting that freedom is found in full submission to him. Living in submission to Jesus is like being the wise builder, being free and safe from the winds and the rains that are to come. Seeking to live under our own authority will only leave us destroyed. As we learn about who Jesus is, the way he lived his earthly life and the way he carried out his ministry, our lives will completely change when we know him as King. We may say with our words that he is King, but having a deep understanding of his reign over the world and our individual lives will lead us to fully embrace his teachings and the life he calls us to live. As we read the closing chapter of Matthew, the truth is revealed that Jesus, the Messiah, defeated death once and for all and authority is his. Matthew 28:18 says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” We read in Matthew that Jesus has authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:1-8), to cast out demons (Matthew 8:28-34), to raise the dead and heal the sick (Matthew 9:18-26), and more.

Jesus’ reign on earth continues as we follow in his ways, submit to his authority and obey his teachings. By submitting to him, we bring peace and restoration to the world around us. As Matthew 28:18 continues on through verse 20, we read, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” It is in our obedience to Jesus that his reign continues through us, his church. Not all of us will be sent to make disciples in nations far away, overseas and across the world. We can live in obedience to Christ, furthering his Kingdom everywhere we go, even in the seemingly small and mundane moments of our lives. With open eyes, willing hearts and listening ears, we can see the ways God is working in and through us. To walk in his ways, we must know him and then seek to imitate him. We are on a life-long journey of continually growing in our understanding of who Jesus is, and what it means to live under his authority.

Matthew continually points to Jesus as the King who has come to bring shalom. Jesus brings shalom, or peace and wholeness, in our relationship with God, redeeming the brokenness that sin has caused. We live in a broken world that has not yet been fully redeemed, and yet, we can find rest and peace in a deep relationship with Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Those who turn to the ways of Jesus will turn to rest in the deep love of God. Our relationship with God through the Son Jesus is the place of eternal peace and rest for our souls. In ways that the broken world around us cannot bring rest, peace and restoration for our souls, Jesus says that he can. Jesus loves and cares for you, and he is restoring and redeeming you as a whole person–wonderfully made with a unique story. As we grow into mature disciples of Jesus, we become people who are at peace in our relationship with God, knowing that we are secure in Christ Jesus. This is good news!

When we have peace in our relationship with God, the outpouring of this is peace between one another. Jesus cares for the peace between us as brothers and sisters. The Church is intended to be inclusive, loving, and welcoming to all who believe in Jesus. We must live a life seeking healing in the broken relationships that so easily separate and divide us, even with those we call our enemies. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proclaims, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). The blood of Jesus does not only create peace between believers and God; we are called into a higher standard of unity and love toward one another. With the Word of God as our foundation, Jesus as the head of the Church and the Holy Spirit as our Counselor, we journey toward peace and unity.

When we are challenged to wonder how we can really bring shalom to the people and communities around us, Matthew deepens our understanding of holistic ministry. Just as we understand that caring for ourselves holistically is important–our physical health, mental health, work and school life, spiritual life, and more–we must also understand that ministering to our communities with a holistic perspective is important. Preaching, teaching, and speaking the good news of Jesus Christ is integral to how we love one another, but if our ministry is informed by the life of Jesus that we study in Matthew, then we know that tangible acts of love can not be lost in our common practices and rhythms of life. Many times in Matthew, we read about Jesus acting in love toward another, being moved by his compassion toward them (see examples in Matthew 14:14; 15:29-38; 20:29-34). Jesus is moved by compassion when he sees crowds of hungry people in need of food, sick people in need of healing, and outcasts who wouldn’t receive attention from anyone else. His heart for people led him to care for people in ways that were not only inconvenient, but even dangerous. Jesus brought wholeness and restoration and glory to the Father through his words and the actions of his hands. His teachings of wisdom, love and righteousness were not spoken so that we would only believe and go to heaven, but also so that we would live a life that brings peace, restoration and healing to the broken. Jesus is the perfect example to us of living out what he preached.

This leads us into an entirely new lifestyle of service to the people around us in tangible ways. Our work, our studies and our relationships can all be for the service of others, blessing those around us with all the gifts we’ve been given. Consider ways that you can be a blessing in your workplace, school, team, community, and every other social structure you are located in. How does Jesus’ ministry impact the way you walk into work and class every morning? Everywhere we go, we are the salt and the light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16). Go out into the world--places where there are lots of Christians around, and places where there are no Christians around--and be the salt and light.

Learning from the life of Jesus and living in his ways glorifies our God and testifies of his great and mighty name. As we grow in our understanding of who Jesus is, his messianic reign, the kingdom of heaven and discipleship throughout the book of Matthew, our perspective shifts. Jesus changes everything about our individual lives and the ways we love and care for others. The way we work and serve furthers the Kingdom and glory of God in more ways than we could ever see. The good news of Jesus Christ is for you, for me, and for the whole world, and we get to tell the story and display the impact!

These are some simple steps of action we can take in light of what we read in Matthew. May we always be growing as disciples, resting in the grace of our King. <3

• Rest in the peace, hope, and love of Jesus. Spend time pursuing God in your private life (quiet time in the Word and in prayer) and in community (studying the Bible with others, church involvement, community groups, mentorship, etc.)

• Spend time praying over the places you spend most of your time. The gym, your workplace, where you study, the coffee shops you regularly visit, and any other places you spend significant time. Ask God to open your eyes so that you can be aware of his presence in those places and the ways he is working.

  • Take time to wonder: how might God be inviting you to take a step of faith to minister to people in those spaces? How might he be calling you to act in obedience, bringing glimpses of his love and peace?

• Be intentional about pouring into the people God has called you to. With the Holy Spirit as your Counselor and the Bible as your foundation, you can help others grow in their understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to be a disciple!

  • Take time to wonder: how might the people God has called you to need to be encouraged in their faith? How can you be a part of it?

• Get creative about ways you can intentionally go out of your way to spend time with people you wouldn’t normally spend time with. Have conversations with new people, listen to their stories, and be willing to share the good news of Jesus Christ in ways they can understand!