Some thoughts on the first book of the New Testament:
Most Christians today would probably say they are quite familiar with the Bible, particularly the Gospels. Matter of fact, I have often heard people groan over Matthew chapter 1 whenever it is brought up as the topic for a Bible study. "It's just a bunch of names'" "What does that teach us," "We can just skip this part" etc.
Unfortunately, people's overestimation of their understanding does not stop at chapter 1. We believe we repent just as John the Baptist taught us to do. We think we have a full understanding of the presence of the Trinity at the Jordan River. We feel we have walked alongside Christ in the desert. We think we have successfully wrenched every ounce of teaching out of The Beatitudes. We laugh at Peter's foibles, scowl at Judas' betrayal, and "get" every parable in between. We rebuke the Sadducees and refute the Pharisees. We cheer for the woman with the oil and jeer the young ruler. We believe we know what it is like to take up a cross. We have learned the "dos" and "don'ts" of walking on water and prayer and fasting.
We puff up with pride when we read of the resurrection and we shrink with shame when we read the Great Commission… Jesus did His part, are we doing ours?
I, for one, am not ashamed to admit that I am not an expert on the Bible. I have lived it for over a decade and preached it for the past ten years. I have memorized ten books of the Bible yet I still too often neglect it. Therefore, like all other Scriptures, I will never tire of reading The Gospel According to Matthew with a learner's heart.
The stories in Matthew may be familiar to me but their meaning always presents new territory to be explored and experienced. Like a multi-faceted diamond, the more I look, the more beauty I see. Lord God let me never grow tired of Your Word! It is not an elusive jewel I seek in a dark and distant land; in fact, it is my possession because You graciously gave it to me.
The Gospel according to Matthew begins and ends with neglected verses; an ancestry and a command. In between it answers the most important question ever asked, "Who is Jesus?"
Bottom line: I need to know it better. For in its pages lies the story of my Savior, told by my Father, and authored by His Spirit.
