The Gospel of Matthew feels strikingly contemporary. Matthew’s first audience was seeking a faithful path in a turbulent, confusing time. Scholars believe this early church was young and fragile, formed of Jewish followers of Jesus who had recently left—or been pushed out of—their synagogues.
Tensions were high, beliefs deeply rooted, divisions painful. Matthew’s Gospel includes harsh rhetoric about Jews that should never be removed from context or applied to all Jews; it reflects the heartbreak of a community in conflict and the sharp feelings that arise when good people disagree on matters of deep conviction. This church also lived in a diverse urban setting, sharing space with Gentiles — people they had long been taught to avoid.
Into this setting Matthew proclaims a kingdom breaking in — a way of life grounded in humility, compassion, and courage. As we walk through Matthew during Lent, we too are invited to follow Jesus on the narrow path, confront our own divisions, and seek God’s kingdom amid today’s fractures.
