Matthew

Mt 28:16-20

1. The 2nd Moses
2. Authority
3. Emmanuel
4. Messiah

The Gospel of Matthew is placed first in the NT canon. This in itself is an indication of the importance the Gospel has had since early Christian times leading up to the formation of the NT canon. That same importance was also accorded to it down the centuries in the diverse Christian traditions. The gospel's dominant presence in the lectionaries from the earliest times is a testimony to this, not to speak of the numerous quotations from Matthew in Patristic works and in theological and spiritual writings from early centuries. A major reason for this importance given to Matthew is the comprehensive nature of the gospel. Thus Matthew has

• a high Christology characterizing Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of the living God, 
• the fulfilment of OT prophecies and expectations; 
• a well-developed ecclesiology delineating the structures, values and outlining the missionary agenda of the Church; 
• a gripping and systematic presentation of Jesus' moral teaching; as well as a well-developed eschatology. 

The fine blend of these crucial aspects of Christian faith gives the gospel its comprehensive and systematic character which not only accounts for the importance accorded to it but also justifies its reputation as the "Teaching Gospel." To ask about the Christology of Matthew's Gospel is to seek Matthew's answer to the question, "Who is Jesus and how he is significant?" To do so form a narrative perspective, it is necessary to identify those elements of Matthew's Gospel in which the shape of the story's plot comes most clearly into focus. Our attention is directed particularly to the "contract" element, which is to be found in the Baptism, temptation and in other significant narratives; and how the central thread of Matthew's plot as having to do with the vindication of the humble, obedient Son of God. [Amit Toppo.]