Matthew: Gift of God

Spirituality Column #122
March 10, 2009
Current in Carmel (IN) newspaper
Current in Westfield (IN) newspaper

Matthew: Gift of God
By Bob Walters

“The name Matthew means ‘gift of God,’ and that’s exactly what Matthew presents to us in the life of Christ.”

That’s a recent note from Dave Faust, who as my then-pastor and mentor first inspired me to read the Bible. He suggested getting acquainted with the Bible by reading Genesis, Isaiah, Matthew, and Revelation.

Dave – well, “Dr. Faust” – is now president of Cincinnati Christian University. I emailed him about this “reading the Gospels” series during Lent and asked him why he recommended Matthew.

He wrote back: “I like the idea that Matthew was once a tax collector who hung around with some pretty sinful friends. Then the Lord invited him to ‘Come, follow me,” and he … became a disciple.

“I believe it was William Barclay,” Dave said, “who pointed out that the only thing Matthew took with him from the tax collector’s booth was his pen! (And thus wrote the Gospel.)”

In describing the book, Dave notes: “Matthew portrays Jesus as an authoritative teacher, a kind care-giver, a supreme storyteller, a powerful miracle worker, and a fulfiller of prophecy. Most of all, Matthew’s Gospel shows that Jesus is the promised Messiah, born of a virgin, put to death by crucifixion, and raised from the dead for salvation.”

Tax collectors were the worst of the worst in Jerusalem society, and we must pay attention to the fact that if God could use Matthew for good, he can use just about any of us for good.

When I asked friend and pastor John Samples about the Gospels, he pointed out that Matthew – with its approximately 50 direct quotes from Old Testament prophecy – was written to the Jews. Mark’s Gospel, short and direct, was written to the Romans; and Luke, the Greek physician, wrote his eloquent Gospel to Gentiles. John is considered a universal Gospel.

Matthew is loaded with common sayings – “man does not live by bread alone” (4:4), “blind leading the blind" (15:14), is home to the Sermon on the Mount (5-6-7), says that John the Baptist is Elijah (17:12-13), and so much more. Reading it anew was wonderful.

I wrote down seven pages of notes; verses and ideas I want to remember.

One of the greatest things about reading any part of the Bible is that it always brings new thoughts, and this is a season for renewal.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) is now reading Mark, who along with Luke was not one of the 12 Apostles.