The Identity of Jesus

Jesus as the Messiah

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is revealed as the Messiah, the long-awaited saviour of Israel. His genealogy traced back to Abraham and David in Matthew 1:1-17, showing him as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies.
The title ‘Christ’ used repeatedly in Matthew’s Gospel is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah.
Jesus was anointed during his baptism by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17), a ritual act signifying the induction of a future king or high priest.

Jesus as the Son of God

Matthew strongly emphasises Jesus as the Son of God. The angel told Joseph in a dream that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20).
The title ‘Son of God’ is used at key points in Matthew’s Gospel, such as at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17) and transfiguration (Matthew 17:5).
As the Son of God, Jesus displayed extraordinary powers through miracles and healings, asserting his divine authority and power over nature, sickness, and death.

Jesus as a Teacher

Matthew portrays Jesus as a great teacher, often using parables to impart knowledge about the kingdom of God. Known examples are the parables of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23) and the Good Samaritan.
The ‘Sermon on the Mount’ (Matthew 5:1- 7:29) presents Jesus as a new Moses figure delivering God’s law, represented in the Beatitudes and the other ethical teachings.
Jesus encourages faith, humility, forgiveness and love towards enemies in his teachings, revealing the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus as the Suffering Servant

Taking from Isaiah’s prophecies, Matthew introduces Jesus as the Suffering Servant, willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of humanity’s salvation (e.g., Matthew 12:15-21).
During the crucifixion, Jesus suffers physical and emotional torment, but he never denies his mission or identity, emphasising his willing self-sacrifice.
His death is followed by the resurrection, which confirms Jesus’ identity and mission as the Messiah and the Saviour of the world.

Always remember, Matthew wrote his Gospel with a Jewish audience in mind, hence highlighting Jesus’s Jewish roots, his fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies, and his role as the Messiah. Understanding the main themes about Jesus’s identity in Matthew’s Gospel will offer a comprehensive view of Jesus’s character and mission.