We all recognize the different perspectives provided by the four
Gospels. Matthew was written for Jews, Mark for Romans, Luke for Greeks,
John is somewhat different. It is called "The Universal Gospel"
as it speaks to a more general gospel of belief by pointing out the deep
implication of the life of Christ.
Have you ever to read Matthew from a Jewish point of view? I was pointed
in this direction about three years ago and it has forever enhanced my
appreciation of the book. Consider just a few things...
First, the genealogy. Not only are women mentioned (which was very
unusual for typical Jewish genealogies) the women named are a kind of
rogues gallery in Jewish history. Rahab the harlot (who was a Canaanite).
Tamar (also a Gentile) whose children were the result of an incestuous
relationship with her father-in-law Judah. Ruth who was a Moabitess (a
Gentile). The Moabites were the results of incests from Lot and his
daughters. Take a look at Deut. 23:3 for more information on Moabites.
Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, who sinned with David. Any proper Pharisee
would rather forget about these women and the sin they had in their lives.
Second, the wise men who represent the first official deputation to visit
the Christ child were Gentiles. Apparently God had moved them or led them
to seek out Jesus. They were so unfamiliar with Jewish scripture they
needed to inquire as to where the Christ was to be born. The Jewish
leaders in Jerusalem never answered an easier question. Every one knew it
was Bethlehem! Every Jew might know but Gentiles did not.
Third, not only was the Messiah not recognized by His own people, His
family was forced to flee to Egypt, of all places, to save His life! There
was no recognition or protection of the promised One by His own people.
Upon the return to Israel the family was forced to raise the Child in
"Nazareth, Galilee of the Gentiles." How insulting to know the
people of God had failed so badly to see their King.
Fourth, the bulk of Matthew's gospel is about Christ's Galilean ministry,
not His time in Jerusalem! Matthew begins the main body of work in 4:12
and basically never leaves until 19:1. This could easily be insulting to
Jewish readers. Galilee, because of it's close proximity to Gentiles, was
repudiated by Jewish leaders (John 7:52).
Fifth, the first miracle Matthew records is found in 8:1-4. Before Jesus
cleanses the Leper, or at least during the process, He touches him. He
makes Himself ceremonially unclean! How can He be the Jewish Messiah when
He is so willing to defile Himself?
Sixth, the author of the book, Matthew, would be repulsive to Jews
(9:9-13). In their eyes the tax collector already repudiated the Law by
his occupation. He made himself unclean by his employment by Gentiles and
the unclean money he touched every day. Now he further rejects Moses by
being the disciple of the Nazarene! What could they possibly learn from
this man and any thing he proposed to write?
These are not all the "offenses" in the gospel of Matthew but
perhaps these will be sufficient to make our point. Reading Matthew with a
Jewish mind helps me understand the book.
In conclusion, there were some major hurdles placed before any Jew who
read Matthew. As God knew, the problem was not with Matthew but rather
with the smug, self-righteous, self-serving Jew. Unless and until they
accepted the message of the publican who became an Apostle, they were
lost.
Lest we fail to understand, we have our own hurdles to cross in our race
to eternity. By God's grace both Jew and Gentile have been given the good
news of a Savior.
