Intro | Rejection of Jesus
Matthew’s gospel is an apologetic to Jews to prove that Jesus is the promised Jewish messiah. His gospel begins with the genealogy of Jesus presenting him as the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Jesus is Jewish, born in a Jewish town, raised in a Jewish suburb, worshipping in a Jewish synagogue. As he begins his ministry, he reads from the Jewish text and calls Jewish men to follow Him as He ministers to the Jewish people for three years. But the gospel of John says, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1.11-13).” The Jewish leaders knew the message, but they failed to recognize God’s messenger. In fact, they became so devoted to the house of God, that they rejected the builder of God’s house. As the writer of Hebrews sa id, “For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much as the
builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.” Read more.