This week’s sermon will be from the Gospel of Matthew. 2000 years ago, Matthew’s Gospel helped shape the early Church into a unique community. The end of Matthew summarizes it well in 28:16-20. Those who accepted the Good News formed a community that:
- worshipped the crucified and resurrected Jesus as Lord and God
- accepted His authority over everything, “heaven and earth”
- received the pouring of water and the speaking of God’s Christian name - “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” over them
- and taught all nations to observe everything that He commanded. A new vision of God was the lifeblood of this new community.
Matthew summarizes that overwhelming vision of God in middle of his book in 13:44-46: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it” (CSB). In other words, God’s Kingdom is so awesome it’s a sound business decision to value it above all else in life.
When a high school student (or their parents) considers school or training beyond high school they should ask “Is it worth the cost?” Will this training or degree be worth the sacrifice and money that it costs? Here Jesus Christ is saying in effect, “Join this new community - the Kingdom of God. It’s the best investment in the world! The cost will pay dividends!”
That’s a big claim. 2,000 years ago, joining the Christian community might cost you everything. Christians were persecuted in various ways. It became much harder to find a husband or wife. Employers, when given the option, would fire you or refuse to hire you. It became difficult to get a loan to say nothing of the periodic murder of Christians. Yet, within a few decades this new community had grown by leaps and bounds. What inspired so many men and women to pay this cost? With any business decision they did their research.
On Amazon before you buy something you should check a few things. First, you look at the Amazon reviews. How many stars? What do other people say about this item? Second, you look at the specs. What are the dimensions? Will it give me what I need? Third, you get an outside opinion. You Google the item and read about it outside of Amazon. Similarly, Matthew’s Gospel gave the early Church three types of evidence which proved compelling.
First, there were the reviews, the experiences of those who encountered Jesus. Joseph, the wise men, the shepherds, the physically handicapped, demon possessed, outcast, men, women, boys, and girls - these all testify that Jesus Christ was exactly what they needed. Even those who reject Jesus bear witness to Him. Second, there were the specs, the words and deeds of Christ himself. To the eyes of faith Jesus Christ’s words and deeds bear witness to his unique person and mission. Third, there was an outside point of view, the testimony of the God of Israel. The countless references to Old Testament Scripture give evidence of how the God of Israel loved Jesus as His only Son and governed over all history to bring about Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection according to Scripture.
As the new year begins once again God invites us “further up and further in” to His community, the Kingdom of God. “It will be a sound business decision!” - the Son of God calls to us. Those who experienced Him cry out. Jesus’ unique life bears witness. The God of Israel tears open the heavens to recommend His Son’s Kingdom. How might the Lord be calling you into greater participation in His community of disciples this year? It will pay dividends!