Matthew: Through Old Testament Eyes
Chapters 18-20
As I’ve paid close attention to Matthew’s perspective of Jesus’ teachings, his focus on Old Testament references, and how He deals with religious leaders, it’s obvious that Jesus often directs those passages to them. They’re supposed to be the experts on the Law, teaching the people, and understanding why God gave the Law from the beginning. However, they didn’t understand God’s heart, only His rules, therefore Jesus patiently continued to speak their language hoping to get through to them.
In Chapter 18, unique to Matthew, Jesus spoke of forgiveness referring to Dt. 19:15 which commands never convicting anyone of a crime without 2 or 3 witnesses. Clearly the Pharisees were familiar with this, but Jesus continued by referring to the ‘church’, yet unformed. The eklessia or church was an assembly or gathering of ‘called out ones’ with similar beliefs (also used in 16:18) who come together helping people get along. Obviously it’s still in full swing today.
Divorce, a hot topic even nowadays, was used by the religious leaders to trap Jesus. He dealt with that issue in Chapter 19, other gospel writers include it, however, Matthew chose to include Jesus’ statement about eunuchs (vs. 10). Huh? Mostly unfamiliar to us today, Jesus clarified that some men are born impotent, some are forced into castration for service to a king (Is. 39:7), and some voluntarily choose celibacy because their focus on ministry (see 1 Cor. 7). Divorce and eunuchs? Sometimes it’s better not to marry. Fascinating.
Another enticing passage he doesn’t miss happened when Jesus promised Peter and the disciples to sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribal leaders in the new world (vs. 28), after His return (Rev. 4:4). When we’re back in Eden, so to speak, Jesus’ Second Coming will begin this new, eternal kingdom, consequently, they’ll be in authorized positions for governing. Judges make determinations of what’s right or wrong, innocence or guilt, and dispense justice. He closed with the statement that we’ll hear again, “The first will be last and the last first,” Luke included this passage, but only Matthew follows up with Jesus’ parable in Chapter 20.
In the lower story workers are hired at various times of the day for an agreed amount of wages, however, Jesus was clear, in the upper story or kingdom economy, salvation or kingdom living isn’t based on amount of time or work; it’s based on grace. Everyone receives the same reward of salvation regardless of when they came to believe. That’s undoubtedly why He’s so hard on the Pharisees; He’s constantly attempting to teach them God’s eternal truths.
The disciples aren’t immune to the idea of authority either, they even argued about it, however, Jesus quenched that discussion by reminding them that suffering will accompany it. Worldly rulers flaunt their power, but Christlike rulers serve like slaves. Ouch. That shut them up. It’s true today, Christian leaders must serve out of love and humility as Jesus will soon show them from the cross.
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