BIBLE READING PLANNER

STEP 2: WEEK 3

Week 2
Week 3
 
 
 
 
SUNDAY Matthew 1
MONDAY Matthew 2
TUESDAY Matthew 3
WEDNESDAY Matthew 4
THURSDAY Matthew 5
FRIDAY Matthew 6
SATURDAY Matthew 7

MATTHEW

The new Testament begins with the family tree' of Jesus to show his connection with Abraham (Genesis 12) and King David (2 Samuel 7) in the Old Testament.

Matthew (the tax collector who became a disciple) was chosen by God to write down one of the Gospel records. In Matthews record he shows that Jesus was the promised Messiah foretold in the Old Testament.

As you read through the chapters notice the frequent references to the Old Testament with such words as: ‘as it is written.’

DAILY NOTES

SUNDAY - Matthew 1 - Jesus is the Son of God (verses 18-20). Through his mother, he was also a descendant of David (1,000 BC) and of Abraham (2,000 BC) as promised in the Old Testament. Notice fulfilled prophecy in verse 23 which quotes from Isaiah 7:14.

MONDAY - Matthew 2 - The son of David was destined to be a King and, like David, would be born in Bethlehem as foretold by the prophet Micah (700 BC) (Micah 5:2 and Luke 1:32). Note again how prophecy is fulfilled: verse 15 - Hosea 11:1; verse 18 - Jeremiah 31:15.

TUESDAY - Matthew 3 - God's promise to send a Saviour, with a forerunner (John the Baptist) was made through Isaiah (700 BC) (Isaiah 40:1-5). Jesus had no sin to repent of but was baptized by John as an act of humble obedience (verses 15-17). It is this example that those who desire to follow Christ must also follow (Mark 16:16)

WEDNESDAY - Matthew 4 - Jesus used the Old Testament for guidance in dealing with problems and temptation (verses 4, 7, 10). Note how Jesus counters temptation with the comment "it is written". It is only by reading the Bible regularly that Christ's disciples can learn God's word and put it into practice in their own lives.

THURSDAY - Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) is often thought impractical today, but these are Jesus' rules for the Christian life and every follower of Christ must try to live by them.

FRIDAY - Matthew 6 - The prayer of Jesus is a pattern on which we may base our prayers. We should pray for God's kingdom to come on earth and for Jesus to return (verse 10).

SATURDAY - Matthew 7 - We need to build on the sure foundation of Christ and God's word, to be safe (verses 24-27). Salvation is not for everyone but for those few who really desire it (verses 13, 19, 21).