Matthew: Through Old Testament Eyes
Chapters 4-7
Matthew learned spiritual warfare from the Master recorded in Chapter 4 and Jesus’ temptation by the devil. How did he know Jesus’ strategy against His enemy; he wasn’t there watching the face-off? Obviously Jesus must’ve explained to them how He handled confrontation, with the Word of God. The tempter took his best three shots attempting to lure Jesus, however, He raised His shield of faith by declaring scriptural truth and confounded each one. Jesus’ defense allowed the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17) to hit it’s mark.
… that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3b
The disciples were learning well, however, so was the devil; he tried using a Psalm to tempt Him, if it worked for Jesus maybe it’ll work for him. Sorry devil: foiled again. Yet he obviously understood the power of declaring God’s Word, but misusing it, presum what God will do. Declaration is powerful, but it isn’t a magic formula where God is required to do what we say. It doesn’t work that way.
You have to wonder if Matthew was keeping a journal, writing down all these experiences in order to record this gospel account, for example, the Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5-7); or did he simply have a supernatural memory?
Several times Jesus is quoted as saying He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (5:17); I wondered, how’s that possible? Jesus was undoubtedly referring to Isaiah 40 and 53 where God promised the forgiveness of sin, the good news of His death, and the promise of righteousness. Or maybe Jeremiah 31:31-37 assuring a new covenant, or possibly Ezekiel 36-37 where God promised a new heart, new spirit, and a new King. Daniel 7 and 9 give us descriptions of the Son of Man, the Anointed One, and the Prince who’ll be put to death and have nothing left. There are many more references, but suffice to say Jesus fulfilled every one.
In 5:21-48 Matthew listened to Jesus continue teaching by comparing the lower story Old Testament laws to His interpretation, the upper story behind the rule. Jesus gave six examples of how to interpret the law and find the heart-attitude behind it. “You have heard that it was said to those of old … but I say to you.” That’s the refrain He used to magnify the commandment and find the spiritual meaning. Jesus gave examples or comparisons of heart conditions and the law: reconciliation, moral behavior, divorce, promise-making, retaliation, and ‘true love’ from God’s perspective.
Without references in Chapter 6 Jesus continued to drive home the value of the Law and the Prophets (7:12) by explaining the Golden Rule inferring Lev. 19:17-18. Mom was right, it remains golden today: Love your neighbor as yourself and do unto others … you know the rest. What a great ending to His famous sermon.
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