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Matthew Quick Notes

The male lineage of Jesus Christ is given, from Abraham to King David to Joseph. Jesus means "savior," and Christ means "Messiah." The name, Immanuel, means "God with us," is also given to Jesus Christ. Jesus' birth to Mary was after her conception from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20) -- VIRGIN BIRTH. The story is told (Matthew 1) of Jesus being born in Bethlehem and being visited by wise men (Magi) from the east that brought presents of gold, incense, and myrrh. Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus went to Egypt to escape from King Herod's plot to kill the baby. After Herod's death, the family moved to Galilee and lived in Nazareth.

The story is told of John the Baptist describing of how he baptized people in the Jordon River while Another will "...baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11) Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and was tempted in the wilderness by Satan -- asked to turn stones into loaves, jump off the Temple roof, or to accept the world rule from Satan, all which Jesus did not do. The gruesome death of John the Baptist, where his head was delivered for Herodias' daughter, was described. (Matthew 14:1-12)

Jesus selected his twelve disciples, who were:

1.      Simon (also called Peter) -- commercial fishermen

2.      Andrew (Peter's brother) -- commercial fisherman

3.      James (son of Zebedee) -- commercial fisherman

4.      John (son of Zebedee) -- commercial fisherman

5.      Philip

6.      Bartholomew

7.      Thomas

8.      Matthew -- tax collector

9.      James (son of Alphaeus)

10.  Thaddaeus

11.  Simon -- of the Zealot political party, wanting to overthrow the Romans

12.  Judus Iscariot -- who betrayed Jesus

Jesus preached at Capernaum. He often spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven, with stories about it:

From the Sermon on the Mount, given by Jesus to His disciples -- The Beatitudes (list of rewards of the Kingdom of Heaven)-- main Christian ethic)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.

Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5:3-12, from King James' Version-- Sermon on the Mount)

"Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19 -- Sermon on the Mount)

Jesus had many statements regarding how to live; some important ones were:

·         "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28 -- Sermon on the Mount)

·         "But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery." (Matthew 5:32 -- Sermon on the Mount; also in Matthew 19:9)

·         "But I tell you: Do not swear at all..." (Matthew 5:34 -- Sermon on the Mount)

·         "But I tell you: Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:39 -- Sermon on the Mount)

·         "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ..." (Matthew 5:44 -- Sermon on the Mount)

·         "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matthew 6:1)

·         "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men...But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:5-6)

Jesus had many story-illustrations for people of his time.

Jesus performed many healings and miracles.

Jesus in Jerusalem:

Jesus went to Jerusalem "gentle and riding on a donkey" (Matthew 21:5) Jesus went into the Temple and drove out the merchants and money-changers, angering Jewish leaders. Judas Iscariot agreed to direct the chief priests to Jesus for payment of 30 silver coins. Jesus ate a Last Supper with the twelve disciples, where Jesus pointed out Judas (Matthew 26:25) as the person who would betray Him. Jesus took bread, and said, "Take and eat; this is My body." And, a cup of wine, saying, "...This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus prayed, "...My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39) Jesus told Simon Peter that Peter would deny Jesus three times "before the rooster crows," and, when Jesus was pointed out by Judas and taken away, Peter denied that he knew Jesus three times before the morning rooster crowing. To the high priest, Jesus said that He was the Messiah (Matthew 26:64). Judas regretted turning Jesus over to the chief priests, and he hanged himself.

The Crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27): Jesus was given to Pilate, the Roman governor, for sentencing. Pilate offered to release either Jesus or a criminal named Barabbas. The crowd, persuaded by the priests, said to release Barabbas and to crucify Jesus. Pilate washed his hands, claiming to be innocent of Jesus' blood, and then ordered Jesus to be crucified. The Roman soldiers put a crown of thorns on His head, mocked Him, took Him to Golgotha (meaning "The Place of the Skull") to be put on a cross with a sign over His head, reading "THIS IS JESUS,THE KING OF THE JEWS." For three hours, darkness occurred: then Jesus said the words "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Jesus gave up His Spirit and died. Jesus was wrapped in a clean linen cloth and placed in a new tomb that had been cut out of the rock. A big stone was rolled in front of the entrance. The tomb was sealed and guarded.

The Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28): On Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and another Mary went to the tomb and saw an angel of the Lord, who told them that Jesus was not there, that He risen from the dead, and would meet His disciples in Galilee. Jesus told His disciples "...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and ... I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20).

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