Matthew was a despised Jewish tax collector before his conversion. Being a great accountant, his Gospel of Jesus is so thorough and complete that it appears ahead of Paul's letters and Mark's Gospel, which were actually written earlier than Matthew.

His is the great teaching Gospel and he presents Jesus as the great teacher. The Beatitudes, Sermon on the Mount, the only reference to "the church," the great commandment, great commission and last judgment scene are essential to understand Christianity.

This book was likely written in Antioch for the purpose of persuading Jewish converts not to defect from Christianity.

Here are some select verses from Matthew 1-5:

1:1 - The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ… son of David, son of Abraham. So begins the description of Jesus' lineage, which includes Rahab, Bathsheba, evil king Manasseh, as well as the great leaders. This shows God can use "damaged goods."

1:18-23 - "Mary… was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit and told she shall bear a son and shall call his name 'Jesus'… for he shall save his people from their sins… This took place to fulfill what the prophet had said, 'Behold, a virgin shall conceive… and his name shall be called Emmanuel.'"

2:5 - "Bethlehem" is mentioned as one of a dozen references quoting, "this was to fulfill what the prophets said."

2:7 - Herod orders the slaying of infant baby boys. Herod, part Jew but servant to the Roman authorities, protected himself from assassination by having ready to kill 300 leading citizens if he were killed so they would mourn him.

2:13 - Connects the flight to Egypt by Joseph, Mary and Jesus as prophesy fulfilled.

2:23 - The same with Nazareth.

3:1 - John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, preaches, "Repent, for the kingdom is at hand." The kingdom will be the main theme of Jesus, claiming the power and authority of this world is now under God's official control.

3:8-10 - "Bear fruit that befits repentance" is the formula Jesus gives to prove our works must be evidence of our faith. It is not enough to claim we have Abraham as our father as if his "genes" are all we need. We must bear fruit or the ax is laid to the root of the trees to remove the unfruitful.

3:11-17 - "I baptize you with water for repentance" introduces Christian baptism. The Jews had a ritual washing for all gentile converts, but John and Jesus here demonstrate we all must "begin again." Baptism is sign language for dying to the old life, being buried and being resurrected into the new birth. "And a voice from heaven saying 'This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.'" This is God's response to Jesus' baptism.

4:1-12 - Tells of the 40 days of temptation by the devil: To turn rocks into bread (physical passions), jump from the pinnacle of Temple (popularity) and have control of vast territory (possessions) were the areas of temptation. Jesus answered each by quoting from Deuteronomy: "Man shall not live by bread alone… You shall not tempt the Lord your God… You shall worship the Lord and him only."

4:19 - "And Jesus said to them (Andrew and Peter), 'Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."

4:23 - "And he went about teaching… preaching… and healing," the main areas of Jesus' purpose on earth. Dr. James Carroll stated: "Three great evils beset mankind: There is ignorance that blights the brain, sin that blight the soul and disease that blights the body. Therefore Jesus came teaching… preaching and healing!"

5:1-12 - The Beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor in spirit… those who mourn… the meek… those who hunger and thirst… the merciful… the pure in heart… the peacemakers… the reviled and persecuted… your reward is great in heaven." Poor in spirit likely means the unsophisticated and those who mourn likely means the compassionate.

5:13-14 - "You are the salt of the earth… the light of the world." (Salt preserves and flavors, and light illuminates)

5:17-20 - "I have come to fulfill the law… your righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees."

5:21-26 - "Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. Reconcile with your enemy."

5:27-32 - You shall not commit adultery… or look lustfully at a woman… severe consequences of divorce.

5:33-37 - "Do not swear at all… let your yea (yes) be yea (yes) and your nay (no) be nay (no)."

5:38-42 - "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," Jesus identifies as the old rule and recommends, "Do not resist evil… if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other… and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two… Give to the beggar… lend to him who borrows." These are some of the difficult verses of Jesus.

5:43-48 - "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… you, therefore must be perfect."

Matthew 6-28 will follow next week.