All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, so that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16,17) WHY BENEFICIAL..... Contents of Matthew. The book of Matthew, first of the four Gospels, truly provides an excellent bridge from the Hebrew Scriptures into the Christian Greek Scriptures. Unmistakably, it indentifies the Messiah and King of Gods promised Kingdom, makes known the requirements for becoming his followers, and sets out the work that lies ahead for these on earth. First John the Baptizer, then Jesus, and finally his disciples went preaching. The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near. Moreover, Jesus command reaches right down to the conclusion of the system of things: And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. Truly it was, and still is, a grand and wonderful privilege to share in this Kingdom work, including making disciples of people of all the nations, working after the pattern of Master. (3:2; 4:17; 10:7; 24:14; 28:19) Matthews Gospel is indeed good news. Its inspired message was good news to those who heeded it in the first century of the Common Era, and Jehovah God has seen to it that it has been preserved as good news until this day. Even non-Christians have been compelled to acknowledge the power of this Gospel, as, for example, the Hindu leader Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi, who is reported to have said to Lord Irwin, a former viceroy of India: When your country and mine shall get together on the teachings laid down by Christ in this Sermon on the Mount, we shall have solved the problems not only our countries but those of the whole world. On another occasion Gandhi said: By all means drink deep of the fountains that are given to you in the Sermon on the Mount.....For the teaching of the Sermon was meant for each and every one of us. However, the whole world, including that part claiming to be Christian, continues with its problems. It has been left to a small minority of true Christians to treasures, study, and apply the Sermon on the Mount and all the other sound counsel of the good news according to Matthew and thereby derive inestimable benefits. It is profitable to study again Jesus fine admonitions on finding the real happiness, as well as on morals and marriage, the power of love, acceptable prayer, spiritual versus material values, seeking the Kingdom first, having respect for holy things, and being watchful and obedient. Matthew chapter 10 gives Jesus service instructions to those who take up preaching the good news of kingdom of the heavens. The many parables of Jesus carry vital lessons for all who have ears to hear. Moreover, Jesus prophecies, such as his, detailed foretelling of the sign of his presence, build strong hope and confidence in the future. (5:1-7:29; 10:5-42; 13:1-58; 18:1-20:16; 21:28-22:40; 24:3-25:46) Matthews Gospel abounds with fulfilled prophecies. Many of his quotations from the inspired Hebrew Scriptures were for the purpose of showing these fulfillments. They provide indisputable evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, for it would have been utterly impossible to prearrange all these details. Compare, for example, Matthew 13:14, 15 with Isaiah 6:9, 10; Matthew 21:42 with Psalm 118:22, 23; and Matthew 26:31, 56 with Zechariah 13:7. Such fulfillments give us strong assurance, too, that all the prophetic forecasts of Jesus himself, recorded by Matthew, would in due course come true while Jehovahs glorious purposes with regard to the kingdom of heavens reach fruition. How exact God was in foretelling the life of the King of the Kingdom, even to minute details! How exact was the inspired Matthew in faithfully recording the fulfillment of these prophecies! As they reflect on all the prophetic fulfillments and promises recorded in the book of Matthew, lovers of righteousness can indeed exult in the knowledge and hope of the kingdom of the heavens as Jehovahs instrument for sanctifying his name. It is this Kingdom by Jesus Christ that brings untold blessings of life and happiness to the mild-tempered and spiritually hungry ones in the re-creation, when the Son of man sits down upon his glorious throne. (Matthew 19:28) All of this is contained in the stimulating good news according to Matthew. Good Day Bible Readers!!!!
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:00:26 +0000