What does the Gospel of Matthew reveal about the Kingdom? How does one seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?
Matthew’s Gospel has five major discourses or teaching sections. These are clearly marked in the text by parallel concluding phrases (Mt. 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). One can easily identify the teaching sections by looking at what immediately precedes these verses (and the red letters in some Bibles). For example, the first of the discourses is the Sermon on the Mount (5-7), the middle discourse includes several “kingdom of heaven” parables (13:1-52), and the last discourse includes the parables of the virgins and talents, and the judgment scene (25).
In good oration and teaching, discourses include a conclusion. (An exception is those sermons that ramble and eventually just stop rambling!) Good speeches end by answering the question, what is the point? What should one remember? So it is in the teachings of Jesus. Each of the discourses has a point. The final words indicate to us the point of the teaching. What conclusions does Jesus want his listeners to reach?
When I present seminars on the Gospel of of Matthew, one of my favorite approaches is to examine these teaching discourses, based on the concluding words. (Outlines and notes are posted on my website.) This week would be an excellent time to read or re-read the discourses. The following may help you identify and remember the content.
- Kingdom Blessings: Who is blessed in the Kingdom? Those who develop “kingdom hearts” (5-7, Sermon on the Mount)
- Kingdom Commitment: Authentic Kingdom Discipleship (10, instructions when sending out the Twelve)
- Kingdom Thinking: Understanding the Surprising Hiddenness of the Kingdom (13, parables)
- Kingdom Principles: Life in the Kingdom (18, settling controversies in the kingdom of heaven)
- Kingdom Priorities: Will Be Clearly Seen When the King Comes! (25, parables and judgment)