I believe God called Matthew, as a leader of the church in Jerusalem, to write a narrative of Jesus’ earthly ministry to be used in teaching, nurturing, encouraging, and leading the new church. The church was experiencing persecution as it was organizing itself for the mission of announcing the Good News to the whole world. It was within the context of a real church doing real ministry that Matthew wrote this Gospel.
Matthew sees Jesus fulfilling parallel purposes for God. In the first purpose Jesus is pronouncing God’s judgment upon Israel for her failure to be the light to the nations for which she was created by God. The Temple was the place where God’s presence dwelled among His people. When Jesus speaks of the destruction of the Temple he is referring to God withdrawing His presence from Israel. In Chapter 27 we will read that the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two at the moment of Jesus’ death, thus marking the departing presence of God.
Our passage today is encouragement for the church to remain faithful until Jesus returns in Final Victory.
In the second purpose Jesus is initiating the New Covenant, God’s plan of redemption for the whole world. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus His followers can be as the New Israel to the world as we proclaim the Good News and be a light to the world.
What does today’s reading reveal to you
about God?
What does it reveal to you about yourself?
Think about what God wants you to do
or remember about this passage.
Does God want you to change anything in your life?
13-Sep-11 Matthew 24:9-31
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