The Gospel of Matthew: An Introduction

The Gospel of Matthew was the most frequently quoted gospel in the second century Church. Why? Because Matthew was placed first in almost every early list of scriptures of the New Testament. Why? Perhaps people believed it to be the first Gospel written, even though few scholars take that position today. Perhaps Matthew’s Gospel helped bridge the gap between the New and Old Covenants for Jews who understood Jesus to be the Messiah.

God intended to bless his people through his word. By giving us four gospels, four accounts of the life of Jesus, we get a richer, fuller picture of our Savior. Each Advent we begin a new lectionary cycle of Sunday gospel readings, focusing on Matthew, Mark, or Luke in years A, B, and C. The Gospel of John finds its way into each of the three years, usually during Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter.

On November 27 we began Year A. For the coming year we will take a journey together through the Gospel of Matthew. I hope you will join me in studying and praying over God’s word. My prayer for you is that you will be blessed as you discover how the Gospel of Matthew applies to your life.

Prayer

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for

our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn,

and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever

hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have

given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with

you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, p. 236)