Christ, in the book of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew presents a comprehensive and multifaceted portrayal of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His identity as the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, the authoritative teacher, the Son of God, and the bringer of the Kingdom of Heaven. Through its structured narrative and thematic elements, Matthew paints a vivid picture of Christ’s life, ministry, teachings, death, and resurrection.

One of the primary aspects of Christ’s portrayal in Matthew is His identity as the Messiah, the anointed one. From the very beginning, Matthew links Jesus to the Old Testament prophecies and Jewish lineage. The genealogy in Matthew 1 traces Jesus’ ancestry to Abraham and David, establishing His rightful place in Jewish history and fulfilling the Messianic prophecies that the Messiah would come from David’s line. This theme of fulfillment is woven throughout the Gospel, with frequent references to how Jesus’ actions and events in His life fulfill specific prophecies (e.g., Matthew 1:22-23, 2:15, 4:14-16).

Matthew also emphasizes Jesus’ role as a teacher and moral authority. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a cornerstone of Jesus’ teachings, presenting a new and radical interpretation of the Law. Here, Jesus is depicted as the new Moses, delivering authoritative teachings that fulfill and transcend the old covenant. His teachings on issues like anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies establish a higher standard of righteousness, emphasizing inner purity and sincerity over mere outward compliance.

In addition to being a teacher, Jesus is portrayed as the bringer of the Kingdom of Heaven. This theme is central to Matthew’s Gospel, with Jesus frequently teaching about the nature of the Kingdom and demonstrating its presence through His miracles and parables. The Kingdom of Heaven is depicted as both a present reality and a future hope, characterized by God’s reign, justice, and mercy. Jesus’ miracles—healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead—are signs of the Kingdom breaking into the world, showcasing His divine authority and compassion.

Matthew also highlights Jesus’ divine sonship and His relationship with God the Father. This is evident from the divine announcement at His baptism (Matthew 3:17) and the transfiguration (Matthew 17:5), where God proclaims Jesus as His beloved Son. These events underscore Jesus’ unique identity and mission, affirming His divine authority and the intimate relationship He shares with the Father.

The portrayal of Christ in Matthew also includes His role as a suffering servant. Jesus predicts His own suffering, death, and resurrection multiple times (e.g., Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, 20:18-19), preparing His disciples for the reality of His sacrificial mission. The Passion narrative (Matthew 26-27) details Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial, emphasizing His obedience to the Father’s will and His redemptive sacrifice for humanity’s sins. Matthew portrays Jesus’ death as a fulfillment of prophecy and a pivotal event in God’s salvific plan.

Finally, the resurrection of Jesus is the climax of Matthew’s Gospel, affirming His victory over sin and death. The resurrection appearances (Matthew 28) validate Jesus’ claims, commission the disciples to spread the Gospel, and underscore the promise of His continual presence with His followers.

In summary, the Gospel of Matthew presents a rich and layered portrayal of Christ. He is the promised Messiah, the authoritative teacher, the bringer of the Kingdom of Heaven, the Son of God, and the suffering servant. Through His life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies and establishes a new covenant, offering salvation and hope to all humanity.