By Rev. LAWRENCE KEISTER, D. D. By Rev. Lawrence Keister, D. D. The occupational training of Matthew is plainly perceptible in the gospel he has written. When he left the receipt of custom to become a follower of Christ and then an apostle and even a gospel historian he carried with him his financial bent and ability. He always speaks of money with the accuracy and discrimination of a man who is accustomed to its possession and use....

Matthew alone of the four gospel writers mentions the visit of the Wise Men. They came a great distance in search of him who was born King of the Jews. They knew him on sight, fell down and worshiped him, and opened their treasures and offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. They give while they are in his presence and while they are in the spirit of worship. Their purpose was threefold, to see the King, to worship him and to offer gifts to him. The sight of the Christ, infant a

In his fourth chapter Matthew tells how Satan proposed to give the world to Christ, a great offer and fitting in a sense but one our Lord could not accept on the terms stated or from this would-be giver. How could he receive a gift from Satan without being subordinated to him? How can a Christian do this same thing without change of character and loss of life? Were Christ to receive the world as a gift from Satan he would still need to save it from sin if a redeemed world is what he wants. Satan

The references to money which appear in the sermon on the mount as reported by Matthew offer inside information on the subject. Jesus came to fulfil the law, not to destroy it, not to lower religion. Our religion must have expression in our life for only life at its best can satisfy us. Prof. Stalker tells us that “The task of religious teachers is to get people to see things as they are,” and we may add, as they ought to be. Jesus requires more than external compliance with the law or formal ri

When Jesus sent forth the twelve as described in the tenth chapter they were to proclaim the kingdom of heaven, to heal the sick, to raise the dead, to cleanse the lepers and cast out demons, a remarkable program, which they were to carry out with no gold or silver or brass in their purses. They were to preach without pay, serve without salary, minister without money. They were to outclass money, the medium of exchange, which bears the stamp of some established government. They were to take rank

Peter’s mistake with reference to payment of the temple tax which is recorded in the seventeenth of Matthew was not the only mistake Peter made. There were others and all were corrected, the correction in this case being memorable if not also unforgettable. Peter promised payment without consulting Jesus. He thought he knew what Jesus would do in the case and to confess ignorance would lower him in the estimation of those who received the tax. But Peter had failed to consider the fact that as th

In the nineteenth chapter we find these words from the lips of Jesus: “It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” He is stating a thing that is impossible and the disciples ask in amazement, “Who then can be saved?” Their question calls forth His answer, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Men can be reconstituted but this requires divine a

Two verses of chapter twenty-one suffice to record the manner in which Jesus treated traders in the temple. They were out of place. With no appreciation of the temple as a place of worship they naturally used it for their own ends and Jesus as naturally came in conflict with these mercenary men. After he cast them out he told them what the temple is for, “My house shall be called a house of prayer: but ye make it a den of robbers.” Such perversion is not permitted and their misused opportunity i

The anointing of Jesus in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper is told in eight verses of the twenty-sixth chapter while the next three verses give an account of Judas in the act of selling the Master. In the first account we have devotion and in the second desertion. Extremes have done what they often do and here we behold them each confronting the other. A woman poured precious ointment on the head of Jesus as he sat at meat. Her devotion transcended all ordinary bounds being justified by H

Matthew’s references to money are found here and there, not random remarks or unrelated statements, but parts of the truth, which fit together in an “orderly procession of thought.” They embody an ideal, reveal motives, describe character and show us the evil use of money lest we be deceived and misled. The Wise Men gave in recognition of Christ as the promised King while Satan proposed to give in order to dethrone Him. Christ came to fulfil the law, to raise religion to its proper level. Accord