Mwamba World Outreach School Of Ministry/ Conclusion In Matthew

CONCLUSION:

Matthew's main theme is Jesus' teaching as the announcement of the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven; it requires a new way of life from it's members, involving a rejection of inadequate religion and its replacement by radical obedience to God's law, as expressed in love and compassion.  The mission and teaching of Jesus provide a foundation for a church composed of Jews and gentiles, concious of itself as inheriting the gracious promises of God to his people in the scriptures and called to a mission to all nations ( including Jews ).  

Here are significant elements:

1.  Jesus sees the people in their needy condition and attacks their religious leaders for their failure to carry out the religion that they teach.

2.  Jesus demonstrates the presence of God's rule by powerful acts  of healing and compssion. He understands God's character in terms of fatherhood toward those who respond to the good news of the kingdom of heaven.

3.  By virture of his birth, Jesus' role combines being Messiah and being Son of God, but he also functions as a new Moses, who authoritatively teaches God's Law, and as the humble yet powerful Servant of the Lord.  He mediates God's presence to the people, and himself is present spiritually with his followers.

4.  The law given by Moses is still valid but only as it is taken up by Jesus and re-expressed in his new teaching.

5.  Jesus gathers followers and intends to raise up an ekklesia on the foundation of his first followers. He anticipates the development of community life among them.

6.  Although Jesus tends to restrict his activity to the jewish population, the Gospel looks forward to the gentiles