The four gospel writers told the story of Jesus to lead us to faith. St. Matthew shaped his narrative to demonstrate that Jesus was the fulfillment of the hopes and dreams of the chosen people. Jesus is a new Moses leading the people not into the promised land but into the kingdom of heaven. He starts the public ministry with the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-6-7) which brings to completion the law given at Mount Sinai. Chapter 8 is a series of healings to demonstrate that God-is-with-us. Matthew cites the Jewish scriptures to show the plan of God at work in Jesus. He cured all the sick, to fulfill what had been said by Isaiah the prophet: He took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.
JUNE262021
By Church Staff
