By Joseph Ametepe
The Gospel of Matthew presents to us the arrival in history of Jesus the Messiah. Not only that, it points us to Jesus as the King of the Jews. In fact, the first question in the book speaks to that. When the magi from the east came to Jerusalem, they asked: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2). As such, the Gospel of Matthew is often described as "a Gospel written to the Jews by a Jew about a Jew." Of course, we know that this Gospel is for all people. The Lord Jesus Himself made that clear in His instruction of His disciples on the Mount of Olives near the end of His earthly ministry. He declared to them: "This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).
Matthew's gospel clearly reveals to us the purpose of the King. He came to save His people from their sins. It will also vividly describes to us the presentation of the King, the proclamation of the King, the power of the King. Jesus would demonstrate His power over disease, over demons, over the destructive forces of nature, and over death itself. Sadly, Matthew also shows us the people's rejection of their King. Not only did the religious leaders reject the King, but many in Israel of His day would also reject the King. Nevertheless, the King would press on in His mission on earth. And so, in the rest of the Gospel of Matthew, we are given the privilege of seeing the preparation of the disciples of the King, the passion of the King, and the proof of the King.
One of the most important emphases of the gospel of Matthew is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Repeatedly, Matthew, the inspired writer states: "All this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet" (Matthew 1:22; cf. 2:17, 23). Matthew recalls the promises of God and announces their fulfillment in the Messiah, the King of the Jews. Matthew is therefore a book of hope, if you please. It encourages us to trust God to fulfill His promises.
God gave me the privilege to preach through the Gospel of Matthew. We did not record all the messages. But the ones we've recorded are all transformed into the MP3 format. We pray that the Holy Spirit will use these messages to prepare you to fulfill your God-given purpose in life and reach your fullest potential in life.