Gospel of Matthew: Introduction – Christ’s 5 Discourses, part 2.
length: 30:35 - taught on Oct, 25 2023
Class Outline:
Wednesday October 25, 2023
There are five long discourses (sermons) given by Christ in Matthew which stand out. Each one is completed by the formula, “When Jesus had finished these words” (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1).
Sermon on the Mount discourse (5-7).
Mission discourse (10).
Parable discourse (13).
Greatest in the kingdom discourse (18).
Olivet discourse (24-25).
Members’ quality, outreach, situation, love, alertness.
The Sermon on the Mount identifies the quality of the members of the kingdom. All are to be disciples and all will be.
The narrative that Matthew gives us leading up to it is that Jesus showed the great light in Galilee and preached that the kingdom of heaven was at hand and they were to repent.
In Mat 10 we find the Mission discourse in which the disciples are sent out to the towns of Israel to preach that the kingdom of God was at hand. Matthew’s narrative before including this contains those who made excuses as to why they could not follow Christ. Those who do follow Him find trouble that must be overcome with faith. The followers are then sent out, and are promised more trouble: I send you out as sheep amongst wolves. Matthew follows with Christ’s depiction of John as the great evangelist. And that Israel did not listen to John, Christ, or the disciples sent out.
"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children, 17 and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon!' 19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."
If no one listens to the witnesser of the gospel, that one is vindicated because the gospel is wisdom and it is vindicated by its deeds - it actually saves people when nothing else does.
Parable discourse (#3): The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.
The kingdom would be postponed.
The program would continue until His second coming.
The disciples ask Him why He is speaking to them in parables, i.e., why not just tell them in prose what He is saying in parable form.
And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" 11 Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 "For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.
Mat 13: Parables of a mystery kingdom.
Before: Rejection of His family.
After: Jesus goes to Gentiles.
Kingdom is postponed, but the program of the kingdom is still in operation.
Immediately before the sermon, Matthew puts the scene of Christ rejecting His family.
While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 Someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You." 48 But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! 50 "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."
Still, leading up to this is the incredible scene where the religious leaders ascribe to Him the power of the devil.
Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw. 23 All the crowds were amazed, and were saying, "This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons."
These scenes beautifully set the stage for the parables of the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, which is the main theme of the Gospel of Matthew.
Mat 18 (discourse #4) - love for others
Before: Who is the greatest?
After: (Marriage) Commitment of love is for life.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Why is this about love?
You do not cause the humble child to stumble (18:10).
The 99 are left to go and get the one (18:12).
You seek your brother’s repentance for his own sake (18:15).
You forgive all things done against you (18:22).
Directly afterwards, Matthew writes of the incident where the Pharisees ask Jesus about divorce. Jesus responds that marriage is for life (only for adultery does God allow divorce).
The discourse of Mat 18 is about the commitment of love that the members of the kingdom must have for one another. That commitment would be ultimately displayed when Christ married His church.
And subtly, Matthew shows a point of truth that such commitment of love, on our part, will not be natural.
Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
We must work and strive for obedience to His mandates.
But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15 After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.
Mat 24-25 - Olivet (#5)
Before: Parables of the kingdom taken.
After: Lord’s Supper replaces Passover.
The occasion for this discourse is the questions of the disciples:
As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
Just before it, Matthew includes the seven woes against the religious leaders. He also includes three parables that clearly show that the offer of the kingdom had been taken away from that generation. The parable of the two sons; the vineyard owner; and the wedding feast.
The discourse itself would be mainly concerned with those who would go through the interim time. They are instructed to be obedient, watchful, and alert for His return.
The faithful and sensible slave is alert and ready.
Five of the ten virgins are ready.
The ones with the five and two talents invested while the master was gone (they were obedient).
Then judgment and reward come.
Directly after this discourse (in Matthew as well as in time) Jesus is anointed by Mary in Lazarus’ house (for His burial) and the last Passover is prepared.
The offer of the kingdom to that generation was gone (it had been taken off the table in Mat 13). In fact, the Passover itself would be taken away. Is it the end for Israel, perhaps even for the world? The Savior was rejected by too many. No.
The Passover is changed to the Lord’s Supper and it is to be celebrated until He returns.
The kingdom is postponed.
The kingdom program goes on.
This is the theme of the center of the chiasm and the five discourses, chapter 13.
"Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."
Do you see yourself as an heir of the kingdom of heaven while you live in the kingdom of the earth? Do you know what that means in terms of blessing and suffering? Do you understand the life of a heavenly prince or princess in a hostile world? Do you love your Lord for all that He has done, even the postponement of the kingdom?
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