Threshold Book
Not only is Matthew a “threshold” book when one exits the Old Testament writings, but it is a remarkable “threshold” book as one enters the New Testament. In other words, this wonderful book provides us with a wonderful preparation for all that follows it in the New Testament inspired writings. In fact, it would not be too much to say that the key themes mentioned under the first general impression above form an essential foundation to the proper understanding of the rest of the New Testament.
But, more than that, Matthew provides other keys to the proper understanding of the New Testament as a whole. There are numerous ways in which this is true. Only several will be mentioned here.
1. Matthew opens the door into the New Testament by sustaining a clear Christ-centered focus.
The Lord Jesus Christ is referred to by name at least 151 times in the book of Matthew. He is spoken of by name in the very first verse of the book. Furthermore, He is referred to by name in the first verse of 17 of the 28 chapters in the book. Finally, He is referred to by pronoun in the first verse of 7 of the remaining chapters. This prepares us to enter the New Testament writings in two important ways.
First, it suggests the genuine God-honoring interpretation of the Old Testament Scriptures from which we have just come. We have seen that Matthew refers to the Old Testament writings very frequently. Now, seeing his Christ-centeredness as we turn the corner into the New Testament, we sense that the only accurate manner of interpreting the O. T. is to approach it asking how it enables us to know Jesus of Nazareth as the God-ordained Redeemer.
Second, it establishes at the very outset the standard of interpretation for “rightly dividing the Scriptures of the New Testament. Any interpretation of any portion of the New Testament Scriptures that does not give all the preeminence to the Lord Jesus Christ is errant rendering. And, it is no surprise when we move beyond Matthew into the remaining portions of the N. T. that we find the references to the Lord Jesus Christ just as abundant as they are in this precious book. Mentions of the name “Jesus” and the title “Christ” total 1,365 times in the remaining twenty-six books of the New Testament. [This does not even take into consideration the usage of the title “Lord.”]
The Christ-centeredness of the Gospel of Matthew prepares us for the overwhelming Christ-centeredness of the New Testament as a whole.
2. Matthew opens the door into the New Testament by establishing the overwhelmingly high standards of the Law in the hearts of believers.
There are Bible commentators who suggest that the revelation of righteousness in the Sermon on the Mount puts before us a far higher standard than that revealed in the Law in the writings of Moses. However, I am convinced that this passage [Matthew 5-7] introduces us to the Lord’s interpretation of that which is revealed regarding righteousness in the life of the believer in the Old Testament Law. In other words, we are not here shown a higher standard than that of which Moses wrote. We are shown the correct interpretation of what Moses wrote.
It is here that we are shown that every violation of the Law as Moses wrote it is a matter of the heart. A man may very well “keep” the Law in a broad, general outward sense, yet violate it continuously in the inward part of his being. Adultery is not some horrifying outward act of some particularly disgusting man. It is a reflection of the natural heart of every man. [Matthew 5:27-28] What man is there among the sons of Adam who has never lusted after a woman? This identifies the staggering high standard of righteousness that alone pleases the perfect God. And this drives every son [or daughter] of Adam to run to the despised and rejected Saviour-King for the power of His redeeming grace to be set free from all that he is doomed to be in himself.
The perspective just now suggested, focusing each one upon the inward heart, prepares every believer for the precious revelation of the fullness of redemption in Christ in all of the New Testament writings following Matthew. God’s redemptive work through the Lord Jesus Christ can enable the vilest son of Adam to live so that his outward life manifests the very image of Christ and that God is deeply glorified. Such a miracle is the product of the power of God’s grace working in the inward heart of the man. I believe that such is the correct interpretation of the high standards put forward in Matthew and the other New Testament writings.