How is Jesus Represented in the Book of Matthew?
| **These posts are to encourage everyone to read the Bible, and get a deeper understanding of Gods Word. |
What does the book of Matthew teach us about Jesus?
Was Jesus a prophet, a teacher or was Jesus God?
Here are 21 ways in which Jesus is revealed in the book of Matthew, to help you study the Gospel much deeper.
How is Jesus Described in the Gospel of Matthew?
1. God with Us
Right at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew we see a prophesy of Isaiah being fulfilled. The passage mentions a virgin who will give birth to a son and will be called Immanuel.
➡ Here is where it gets interesting.
In Matthew 1:23 it tells us that Immanuel means ‘God with Us‘. This means, Jesus is actually God with us, which is re-affirmed by Jesus, in the very last Chapter of this Gospel, and is mentioned towards the end of this post.
2. The Wise Men Worship Jesus
In the next Chapter of Matthew, when the wise men come in search of baby Jesus and find Him with Mary, they bow down and worship Jesus.
In verse 2:11, we see them offering frankincense, myrrh and gold. Jesus is worshiped and treated as a King. The wise men were aware of the prophesies of Jesus and worshipped Jesus even as a child, proving Jesus’ deity.
| Deuteronomy 8:19, clearly tells us that we are to worship the One true God and serve Him only, yet Jesus was being worshiped. |
It is important to note the Jesus never denied anyone from worshiping Him in all the four Gospels, be it His disciples or the people whom He healed.
3. Preparing the Way for God
Moving on to Chapter 3, John the Baptist comes in and makes a statement fulfilling another prophesy of Isaiah 40:3 which is:
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (KJV)
It talks about preparing the way for our God, and John here is preparing the way for Jesus to begin His earthly ministry in Galilee.
4. But I say to You
This by far is one of the best way to prove the power and authority of Jesus over all humanity. In Matthew 5, Jesus was able to speak words of truth by His own authority.
In verses 21-48, Jesus talks about the laws of murder, adultery, divorce, oath, retaliation and loving our enemies.
For each of the laws He mentioned, Jesus said: You have heard it said…, But I Say to You…and reveals a powerful message with authority.
You shall not murder BUT I SAY TO YOU, anyone who is angry with brother or sister is subject to judgement.
You shall not break an oath BUT I SAY TO YOU, you shall not swear at all.
5. Narrow is the Way
➡ Jesus lays the blueprint to heaven.
He tells us to enter through the narrow gate, which is a hard road to go through. But it is the narrow road that leads to life and only a few find it.
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
6. I Never Knew You
Considered one of the most scary bible verses, not everyone merely declaring God with their mouth will enter into heaven, but the one who does the will of God.
On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:22-23 (ESV)
7. Authority of Jesus
While the authority of Jesus is displayed throughout the Gospels. Here are two times where it was particularly evident.
Matthew 7:28-29 – When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Matthew 9:6 – But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”
Also the story of the Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13), shows us that he understood that Jesus was a man of authority.
8. Omnipresent
Another lesson we can learn from the faith of the Centurion is that Jesus is omnipresent.
Although Jesus never personally went and met the person who was paralyzed, Jesus was able to heal him from a distance.
The nature of God is such that He is present everywhere at the same time, and Jesus exhibits this nature in this story.
9. Authority over all Creation
When Jesus was in a boat with His disciples and a storm arose, the disciples started to panic. But Jesus effortlessly calmed the storm.
In, Matthew 8:27 the disciples were surprised that even the winds and the waves obey Jesus.
The meaning behind this is that, although we face many storms and battles in our lives, Jesus is our answer to our breakthrough.
10. The Enemy Knew Jesus
Jesus then enters a place called Gadarenes where two possessed men approach Jesus, and Jesus sets them free.
Here are two interesting facts about what the spirit behind the possessed men declared.
Matthew 8:29 – “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
#1. The enemy acknowledged that Jesus was the Son of the Most High God.
#2. The enemy knows he is running out of time.
11. Omniscient
Another attribute of God is His omniscience.
God knows everything in our hearts, even if we don’t speak them out loud for Him to hear.
Jesus Knows:
Matthew 9:4 – Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
God Knows:
Matthew 6:8 – Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
12. I Will Give You Rest
Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Jesus tells us to come to Him and He will give us rest. Similar to John 14:27, where Jesus says My peace I give to you, not as the world gives to you.
➡ I will give you rest
➡ My peace I give to you
Two powerful statements which tell us that Jesus is the source of everything.
And the peace that He gives is unlike what the world has to offer.
13. Lord of Sabbath
Matthew 12:8 – For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath
Another declaration of Jesus’ authority over the things that are considered lawful. While Jesus in no way abolishes the law, yet He shows authority over it.
14. Something Greater is Here
When the authority of Jesus is continued to be questioned in the Book of Matthew, Jesus hints about His divine nature, yet not many caught it (or refused to accept it).
In Matthew 12:41-42 Jesus tells us that;
➡ Something greater than Jonah is here.
➡ Something greater than Solomon is here.
Prophet Jonah, because he caused the people of Nineveh to repent of their sins and turn to God.
King Solomon was known for his wisdom and his riches.
15. His Angels; His Kingdom
The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. Matthew 13:41
Here Jesus explicitly declares He has His own Kingdom, with angels under Him – something no prophet or any normal human-being can declare.
16. He Who Has Ears
He who has ears, let him hear.
This statement by Jesus is mentioned 14 times in the New Testament.
Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 13, that many see yet do not see the truth, and many hear yet do not understand.
➡ But to those who do see and understand, more revelation will be given to them.
17. The Transfiguration
Jesus shines in all His glory in Matthew 17:2 for His disciples to see;
There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
18. Woe to You
While we all love to hear the warmth and love of Jesus, it is also important to know that God disciplines His children. This is evident in the 7 woes to the Scribes and Pharisees.
- Matthew 23:13
- Matthew 23:15
- Matthew 23:16
- Matthew 23:23
- Matthew 23:25
- Matthew 23:27
- Matthew 23:29
19. Do not be Deceived
Deception is the attack of the enemy against the followers of Christ. In moments of doubt and hardship it is easy to fall for the lies of the enemies.
But when we know the truth, the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
Matthew 24, talks in detail about things and events of the world that can lead people astray, and Jesus warns us in advance about this.
20. Jesus’ Second Coming
Matthew 24, also talks about the majestic return of Jesus with His angels, at a time we least expect. He explains these things in the form of parables.
Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30
21. I Am with You Always
Just as the book of Matthew begins with calling the Son of Man as Immanuel, God with us. The last Chapter of Matthew which is 28:19-20, Jesus ends with this;
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
| Free PDF of the Gospels of the Bible Study Pack: Learn about the life of Jesus and His teachings throughout the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John along with study notes and key verses to memorize |
