This is...

Matthew 1:1 -"This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:"

Nowhere in the gospels do we find a recorded word that Matthew spoke. He didn’t write about himself. In his entire Gospel he mentions his own name only two times. (Once when he records his call and the other is when he lists all 12 apostles.) He was humble, content to stay in the background and most likely very insignificant in his own eyes. He was more concerned with pointing people to the Messiah and telling the “Messiah’s story.”

Matthew begins revealing how the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed while the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. Again, he wrote primarily for Jewish readers to show them that Jesus Christ was indeed their promised Messiah.

He initiates his writings and account with the very words “This is” and I just can’t seem to get over how brilliant those two words are. I find this interesting because according to scripture, the Jewish people required signs and miracles in order to believe or to obtain certain accreditation (Acts 2:22). Here, Matthew is calling attention to the present day. He will follow by expounding upon Israel’s past and history. Then, he will bring them forward in these next 17 verses to show how Christ will become their future and King.

As stated earlier in our previous blogs, Matthew is well-versed and educated in the Torah. In the book of Genesis the first account of the beginning is foretold as follow: Genesis 2:4 “This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.” (NIV) Then, we read the same words again in Genesis 5:1 “This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself.”(NLT) Genesis 11:27 “This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot.” (NIV)

It is a theme that follows throughout the entire Old Testament. Matthew continues expounding upon this theme as he pens chapter one of the Gospel. “This is” a record that proves that Jesus, who so perfectly and completely fulfilled all the Old Testament predictions, is indeed the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the Son of the living God. It presents proof of divine inspiration that is positive and conclusive.

In the Old Testament there is a definite, clear and continuous teaching that the Messiah will come. Matthew writes “This is” the account and record of that promised seed that ties the two Testaments together. He is teaching that all lines of Old Testament messianic prophecy meet in Jesus…the Christ or MESSIAH of the New Testament.

Finally, we can observe in Matthew’s early writings that Christ is the beginning and end. He is the Alpha and Omega. Christ is the one who is, and who was, and who is to come. He covers every part of Israel’s life…from their past, to the very present and the future. “This is” the Christ in you and me too if we believe.

My friend, “This is” very convicting to me. Not just in how Matthew writes, tells and lives out the Messiah’s story, but rather in how I write, tell and live His story too. I am fortunate to have a precious friend to share with me that our lives and testimony should be 25% about “us” and 75% about “Jesus.” Yet, I think Matthew’s percentages are more condensed and narrow. Mine should be too. "This is" presently how we honor him as Messiah.