Exalting Jesus in Matthew (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary | CCE)

Top Highlights

“God works out His promise to Abraham in Israel’s history and ultimately through His Son, Jesus Christ.” (Matthew 1:1–17)

“First, what matters most is not the measure of your faith. Even when Jesus referred Peter’s faith as ‘little’ (v. 31), He was not primarily referring to faith as something subjective that we must create. Instead, what matters most is always the object of your faith. Peter’s faith was little because he took his eyes off of Jesus, the object of his faith. This is what caused Peter to sink. The point, then, is clear: your faith is strong only when the object of your faith is strong. As long as your faith is in your circumstances, or as long as your faith is focused on anyone or anything apart from Christ, then it won’t matter how much faith you have. You will fall sooner or later.” (Matthew 14:22–32)

“Obedience to the Great Commission isn’t a man-made program, nor is it our own willpower that leads us to go. Jesus’ authority compels us to go, for missions only makes sense if He has all authority in heaven and on earth. However, we don’t go reluctantly, as if we’re being forced to follow just any king. His worth is the fuel of our mission. In other words, we go because Jesus is worthy of the worship of every person on the planet. Our Savior deserves all praise (Rev 5:9–10), so we long to hear all people confess, ‘Jesus is Lord!’ This also reminds us that His worship is the goal of our mission. Followers of Christ live for the day when every tribe and tongue and people and nation gather around our God to give Him the global glory that He is due (Rev 7:9–10).” (Matthew 28:18)