Introduction Just as the Israelites gathered at Mount Sinai to receive the law from the Lord, so the disciples have gathered at a mountain to receive the law from the Lord Jesus Christ. And as their Lawgiver, he's able to teach his people how to live here on earth as members of his heavenly kingdom. … Continue reading Matthew 05(17–20) →

Introduction As we've worked our way through Matthew's gospel, we've seen that Matthew highlights connections between the life of the Lord Jesus and the people of Israel in Old Testament times. So, just as Israel came out of Egypt and passed through the waters of the Red Sea, so the Lord Jesus came out of … Continue reading Matthew 05(13–16) →

Structure of the Sermon We've reached the Sermon on the Mount today. Every time I read this sermon, I try to work out its structure. How should we divide it? What are its parts? Is it ordered in a certain way? Fortunately, when preparing for this evening, I came across an article by a New … Continue reading Matthew 05(01–12) →

Introduction We've been thinking about the way Matthew depicts the Lord Jesus as the new and better Israel and how the Lord Jesus has been re-tracing Israel's steps. So, God regarded Israel as his son and called Israel out of Egypt, where they had become slaves. And the Lord Jesus is God's son and God … Continue reading Matthew 04(12–25) →

Introduction As we turn to the Lord's temptation in the wilderness, we need to remember that the purpose of Matthew's gospel, like the other gospels, is to teach us about the Lord Jesus. So, as we study this passage, we have to keep in our mind the question, 'What does this passage say about him?' … Continue reading Matthew 04(01–11) →

Introduction In chapter 2, Matthew recorded for us the visit of the Magi to see the new king who had been born. Then there was the escape to Egypt to get away from Herod who wanted to kill the new king who had been born. Then there was the killing of the children around Bethlehem. … Continue reading Matthew 03 →

Introduction Today's passage can be divided into four parts. In verses 1 to 12 we have the visit of the Magi. In verses 13 to 15 we have the escape to Egypt. That's followed in verses 16 to 18 with the killing of the Jewish infants. And in verses 19 to 23 we have the … Continue reading Matthew 02 →

Introduction Last week we spent our time on the Lord's genealogy which appears at the beginning of Matthew's gospel and which presents the Lord Jesus as the fulfilment of God's Old Testament promises, because didn't God promise that one of David's descendants would rule as king and his kingdom will never end? And didn't God … Continue reading Matthew 01(18–25) →

Introduction The gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew, who was also called Levi, and who was one of the Lord's twelve disciples; and he was a tax-collector before the Lord called him. One of the features of his gospel is the way he makes clear how events in the life of Christ fulfil what … Continue reading Matthew 01(01–17) →