A Leading Apostle and Evangelist of Christ - Book Report/Review Example

The Gospel of Matthew – Tax Collector Turned Evangelist St. Matthew is best known to us as a leading apostle and evangelist of Christ. Unlike most of the other apostles, he gave up a lucrative position to follow our Lord. He quickly traded his tax collector’s chair for a judgment seat over Israel, and his money for the treasures of eternal life. If only for this sacrifice, he has won God’s favor. His Gospel explains clearly how our Lord is the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Law, the Messiah. Matthew’s gospel in its present form, was written in a Jewish milieu, probably after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. There are evidences of the fulfillment of the Mosaic law and also references to violence, to the burning of a city and to punishment in the wake of Jesus’ death. “There is the anti-Pharisee and anti-scribe polemic in Matthew which indicates a fairly complete rift between Christians and official Judaism. By the year 85 A.D., Christians were unwelcome in Jewish synagogues – called their synagogue by Matthew to distinguish Jewish from Christian worship.” (The New American Bible, 1971). There is an ambivalence between Matthew’s earlier Jewishness, reflected in the elements of the gospel as they were in the process of formation, and his alienation from Jewish tradition, even before these elements were incorporated into the finished gospel. “Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, in his letters to certain churches of Asia Minor uses several sayings of Jesus found only in this gospel (Matthew’s). Papias, bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia, wrote that Matthew had compiled a collection of sayings of the Lord ‘in the Hebrew tongue’ most likely Aramaic.” (The New American Bible, 1971). Besides the sayings of the Lord, it is certain that the author of Matthew had access to the present Gospel of Mark, because of some Marcan verses he used. Matthew is obviously an expanded version of Mark, considered the first gospel form to have been written. Beginning with a series of reflections relating Jesus and his parentage to the Messianism of the Old Testament, the gospel places his birth in the hostile political environment of the time. Like the other gospels, Matthew introduces the public ministry of Jesus with a summary of John the Baptist’s mission. After the temptation of Jesus, the gospel reports his teaching and miracles, locating all these in Galilee and its vicinity, excluding Jerusalem. It concludes with the final events and teaching of Jesus in Jerusalem, and centering them around his passion and resurrection. The Gospel of Matthew is distinctive for its practice of citing the Old Testament in connection with the activity and teachings of Jesus and for a structured presentation of his doctrine in the form of sermons or discourses. The discourses are followed by collections of miracle accounts and incidents reflecting the doctrinal teaching of Jesus. The evangelist presents these in such a way as to be meaningful to the Christian communities of his time. “The gospel as a whole revolves around the concept originally developed in Judeo-Christian circles that Jesus is the expected Messiah – king of Israel.” (The New American Bible, 1971) The overall vision of Matthew, we may glean from his gospel, is to see people of all nations, not just the Christians and the Gentiles, experiencing a personal relationship with Christ, growing to be more like Him and serving in a local body (the church) of His family. “His mission as an evangelist proven to people of our time, was to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible, (Matthew, in particular) understandable and accessible to all.” (Bosch, et al, 1982). How relevant are the lessons of Matthew in our modern world? Can his words still carry weight and make an impact on the lives of God’s people today so they can be transformed by the renewing of their minds resulting in a change for the better in their attitudes and actions? Let us delve into Matthew’s book and glean such verses as will evidence the soundness of his teachings. Chapter 5, verse 1 relates that when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountainside. After He had sat down, his disciples gathered around him and he began to teach them. From that moment on, the heartwarming and consoling words of the Beatitudes have come down to us to tell us in our troubled world (especially the poor) how to be happy. The Beatitudes announce religious happiness for those who lack material goods and stand in need of the spiritual blessings promised by God. In our present-day society, we have third-world countries and countless economically-challenged people who need to turn to the words of the Lord through Matthew for help. In the same chapter, Verse 33, Matthew exhorts us to be honest. It is important that Christians act and speak so that the Savior is glorified. When you give your word, keep it. If you make a commitment, honor it. If you take on an obligation fulfill it. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:37, “Let your yes be yes.” Governments in many countries today do not serve the people well because the officials are corrupt. Honesty is the answer to the problem. In Chapter 11, Verse 23, Matthew relates that Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his miracles had been wrought, with their failure to reform. “As for your Capernaum, are you to be exalted to the skies? You shall go down to the realms of death!” Matthew reminds modern man not just to be grateful for blessings coming from the Lord, but also to warn them to change their ways. And yet, I the same chapter, He comforts those among us who need Him. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Our souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” In Chapter 7, verse 7, Matthew opens our eyes to the Power of Prayer. He quotes Jesus in his book as saying “Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you. For the one who asks, receives. The one who seeks, finds.” Would one of you hand his son a stone when he asks for bread? Or a poisonous snake when he asks for a fish? Matthew pictures to us a benevolent, kind and generous father to everyone of His children. Matthew exhorts us in modern times as in his age, to pray because prayer works. But we have to ask in our need, not in our greed and God will extend His helping hand. In Chapter 6, verse 9, Matthew tells us that Jesus stresses the importance of forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer which all Christians live by, he warns us, “If you forgive the faults of others, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours. If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you. In the same chapter, verse 16, Matthew has handed down to us a piece of timely advise in regard to reward as a result of fasting: “When you fast, you are not to look glum as the hypocrites do. They change the appearance of their faces so that others may see they are fasting. I assure you they are already repaid. When you fast, see to it that you groom your hair and wash your face. In that way, no one can see you are fasting but your Father who is hidden will repay you.” In our lives today, we generally resort to hypocrisy every now and then to get what we want or to save our necks from embarrassment and the like, in the business sector and among friends and family. This works at times, but it doesn’t work well with the Lord. We must show Him more respect and sincerity and not deception, and you will not be disappointed. In Chapter 6, verse 19 presents people of our time as well as of yore, a set of rules in order to lead a true Christian life. “Do not lay up for yourselves any earthly treasures…Make it your practice instead to store up heavenly treasure…Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart is also.” Modern man has become materialistic and even greedy. Matthew explains to us that all this is useless. God will never fail to provide His people with what they need. Besides, as the saying goes, “You can’t take it with you.” Chapter 8, verse 6 is an exercise in faith. Matthew narrates the story of the Centurion whose serving boy was ill. When Jesus offered to go to the Centurion’s house to heal the boy, the former’s humble answer which has come down to us through the ages: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you under my roof, but only say the word and he will be healed.” The Centurion’s reason was that he was a man of authority and his underlings would follow his every command. It would be even more so in the case of Jesus. Jesus showed amazement and remarked to his followers, “I assure you, I have never found such faith in Israel.” To the Centurion, he said, “Go home, it shall be done because you trusted.” Could e not give that much trust to Him who created us? In our present day world, it is hard to trust others. But there are still a few people upon whom we can rely and these are the ones who trust in the Lord. Chapter 18, verse 21 is another lesson in forgiveness. Matthew tells us of the incident wherein Peter came up and asked Jesus, “When my brother wrongs me, how often must I forgive him? Seven times?” “No”, Jesus replied, “not seven times; I say seventy times seven times.” It is just as hard to forgive today as it was in ancient times but Matthew warns that we cannot expect mercy and forgiveness from God unless we forgive our brother from the heart. Both Chapters 6, verse 9 and Chapter 18, verse 21 recommend forgiveness as a trait to be achieved and practiced among the children of God. But somehow, to this reader, Chapter 18 is more forceful and convincing, since the Lord’s words are clear and definite when He says to Peter that one must forgive not just seven times but seventy seven which means at all times. And Matthew end the discussion with an ominous threat that we cannot expect forgiveness from the Savior unless we forgive our brother. In Chapter 20, verse 20, Matthew tells the story of how the mother of Zebedee’s sons came up to Jesus to do Him homage and to ask Him a favor. She said, “Promise me that my sons will sit, one at your right hand, and the other at your left in your kingdom.” He explained to her that sitting at His right hand or at His left was not His to give but the Father’s. He went on further to say that anyone among them who aspired to greatness must serve the rest. Whoever wanted to rank first must serve the needs of all. Jesus pointed out to all that “Such is the case with the Son of Man who has come to serve, not to be served by others, but to serve, to give His own life as a ransom for the many”. Jesus set the record straight. Today, there are many ambitious ones among us – too ambitious for their own good. But if these ambitious ones attain their goal of becoming leaders, they should follow the example of Jesus. If they did there would be no envy, resentment, bickering or even wars among nations. Peace and unity would reign in the family and among nations. In Chapter 21, verse 1, Matthew states that Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem came about to fulfill what was said through the prophet: “…Your King comes to you without display/ astride an ass, astride a calf,/ the foal of a beast of birds.” Jesus entered Jerusalem as King of peace, riding not on the horse, symbol of the conqueror, but the ass, the symbol of the poor. When Jesus identified himself with the poor, he endeared himself to the masses. Modern-day politicians resort to this exercise but only during campaigns preceding elections and much of it is only a “put-on”. The electorate would admire candidates more and come to trust them if the latter were really humble, more sincere and would show more social concern. Chapter 23 is still another lesson in humility. Jesus told the crowd and his disciples not to follow the scribes and the Pharisees whose words were bold, but their deeds, few. All their works were performed to be seen. Jesus said and Matthew quotes: “Avoid the title ‘Rabbi’..Do not call anyone on earth your father, the One is in heaven. Avoid being called teacher. Only one is your teacher, the Messiah… Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” Chapter 26, verse 6 has to do with the Anointing at Bethany. While Jesus was in Bethany, a woman carrying a jar of costly perfume came up to him at table and began to pour it in his head. The disciples grew indignant and protected against such extravagance, saying that the perfume could have been sold for a good price and the money given to the poor. Aware of this, Jesus said, “It is a good thing she has done for me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this perfume on my body, she has contributed toward my burial preparation.” Jesus’ lifetime on earth is over and we cannot have him with us. But we can still serve him by serving others in our midst. There are many ways. In Matthew 27, verse 5, the reader is informed of the details following Jesus’ death. “Suddenly the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, boulders split, tombs opened… the centurion and his men keeping watch over Jesus were terror-stricken and said, ‘Clearly this was the Son of God.’” The above details surrounding Jesus’ death cannot have been invented by Matthew. We just have to accept them as Gospel truth if we are resolved to develop a personal relationship with our Savior. Matthew gave up a comfortable living to follow the Lord. This is an aspect of the mystery of vocation which means following the Lord, who brings mercy to sinners. We receive mercy in Holy Communion so that we can bring it to our fellowmen.” (Missal Commission of St. Andrew’s Abbey, 1964) The Book of Matthew in the bible is a suitable piece of writing for people of all time. It was specifically written for the people of St. Matthew’s era, but it is still relevant to people of our times. The style is simple, yet logical and persuasive. There are many examples of Matthew’s use of the organizational method, but due to lack of time and space, we shall give only one example which focuses on the faith of the centurion that Jesus could perform a long-distance healing miracle on his serving boy who was ill. The Centurion maintained that Jesus, like himself, was a person of authority and things could be accomplished immediately at his command. This is clearly an example of analogy. The whole of Matthew’s Book is a course in Character Education. His aim throughout is to develop the character of his readers by stressing values and virtues, resulting in the reform of their ways and becoming good Christians. Every chapter in the Book of Matthew has a virtue that he wishes to enhance in every child of God. He focuses, however, on the traits of faith, honesty, humility, obedience, forgiveness, justice, generosity and social concern as already discussed. He firmly believes that these qualities will enable us to live in peace and get along well with our brother fellowmen and guide the Christian wayfarer in his journey through life. We thank the Lord from the bottom of our heart that he has given us someone like St. Matthew who has reached down to us through the centuries to teach us and guide us along the way to the Kingdom of God. References Bosch, H.G. et al, (1982), Our Daily Bread, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc. Missal Commission of St. Andrew’s Abbey (1964) The New Saint Andrew Bible Missal. New York: Benzinger Brothers. The New American Bible (1971). Translated from the Original Languages with Critical Use of All the Ancient Sources by the Catholic Biblical Association of America. New York: Thomas Nelson Publishers. Read More