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Matthew 1:

Matthew was written for Jews by a Jew in order to establish Jesus as the messiah. I wonder what some of the people were thinking when reading this. I know sometimes in today's world I question peoples faith and beliefs that seem strange and foreign to me within my own faith. I feel this is probably what Matthew would have experienced, the difference obviously being that his life would have been on the line.

I think the first verse, although only a sentence, speaks volumes about Matthews statement. Matthew compared Jesus to David and then to Abraham. This was an incredible statement that I am sure would have infuriated the status quo. Matthew is attempting to establish Jesus as the messiah by saying that he will be the new David and sit on the throne of Israel and he will bless all nations fulfilling the promise between God and Abraham. In one sentence Matthew started a revolution between what the Jewish people knew, and what they believed.

Could you imagine what today's world would be like if we were called by our father's name? I would have to introduce myself as PJ son of Peter. Actually, I think I am going to start doing that from now on. But it was important for Matthew's argument of Jesus as the messiah to show the genealogy between Abraham, David and Jesus. His audience would have taken this to heart because of how important family was to that culture and time period. You were judged by who your ancestors were.

This first chapter also serves as a jumping off point for the most incredible story in history. What on earth could Joseph had been thinking when he found out that his soon to be wife was pregnant with the savior of the world. I can't fathom what must have been going through his head. But I see it as another example of God using us when he knows that we can handle it. Matthew writes that Joseph was a just man. I feel that God knew Joseph was the right man for the job because he was just. Often times I am able to reflect on things that have happened in my life where after the fact I can see that everything fit together perfectly and I had no doubt that it was God's doing. I see that now. Could anyone have done a better job that Mary and Joseph?

Matthew also takes the opportunity here to invoke some OT prophesy on his audience. The prophets were highly regarded in the Jewish world. And it was because of these prophesies that the people were in an active search for the messiah. Matthew uses the words of the prophet Isaiah: 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).

to show that Jesus was the one he was talking about. Overall it was Matthew's contention to establish Jesus as the over-all ruler of all nations. It often amazes me that if I were to step back in time to that culture I would have been looked down upon because I would not have had Jewish lineage. Matthew is promising that all of the stereotypes are now abolished because of the promise Jesus has fulfilled. That is incredibly encouraging.