“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Bible Verses About Matthew
The Call to Discipleship
We are all encouraged to follow Jesus and embrace the life of a disciple. In the book of Matthew, we consistently see Jesus reaching out to different people, inviting them to come and follow Him. Just as He called ordinary men to be His disciples, He calls us too. This reminder holds immense significance as it speaks to us personally about our faith journey. Jesus isn’t just looking for perfect believers; He wants us to follow Him with our questions, doubts, and imperfections. The call is about a relationship where we learn from Him, grow in faith, and become more like Him. Through the words in Matthew, we find that being a disciple means opening our hearts to Jesus, trusting Him, and taking steps to follow His teachings.
Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” – Matthew 4:19
Matthew 9:9
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” – Matthew 9:9
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24
Matthew 10:38
“Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:38
Matthew 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19
The Importance of Faith
As we read through Matthew, we see that faith is a vital aspect of our relationship with God. Jesus often commended those with great faith and encouraged His disciples to trust Him completely. Faith involves believing in the unseen and having confidence in God’s promises. It is not always easy, and at times we may feel overwhelmed. However, it’s during these moments that we can lean on scripture and the examples within Matthew that show us how faith can move mountains. We are reminded that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, and through faith. We can experience His presence and support in our daily lives.
Matthew 9:22
“Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.” – Matthew 9:22
Matthew 17:20
“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'” – Matthew 17:20
Matthew 21:22
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22
Matthew 9:29
“Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you’;” – Matthew 9:29
Matthew 8:10
“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.'” – Matthew 8:10
The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a cornerstone lesson we learn from the scriptures in Matthew. Jesus teaches us not only about receiving forgiveness from God but also about extending that same grace to others. This aspect is vital for a healthy spiritual life. When we hold onto grievances, we burden our hearts and hinder our relationship with God. Jesus illustrated forgiveness time and again, reminding us that we, too, need to forgive those who wrong us. Through His examples, we learn that forgiveness is about freeing ourselves and embracing God’s mercy. It prompts us to reflect on how much we have been forgiven by God, therefore encouraging us to forgive others unconditionally.
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
Matthew 18:21
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’” – Matthew 18:21
Matthew 18:35
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” – Matthew 18:35
Matthew 5:23
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23
Matthew 6:12
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12
The Role of Prayer
Prayer is our direct line of communication with God and an essential aspect of our faith as taught in Matthew. Throughout this book, we see Jesus modeling prayer and teaching His followers about its significance. Prayer is not just asking for things; it’s about deepening our relationship with God, expressing our thoughts, and being open to His presence. When we pray, we are aligning ourselves with His will, seeking guidance, and finding peace in His embrace. Matthew encourages us to approach prayer with sincerity and a pure heart, reminding us that God hears our cries and answers in His perfect timing.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Matthew 6:5
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” – Matthew 6:5
Matthew 6:6
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6
Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41
Matthew 18:19
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” – Matthew 18:19
The Kingdom of Heaven
In Matthew, Jesus frequently speaks about the Kingdom of Heaven, describing its importance and what it signifies for us as believers. His parables and teachings enlighten us about God’s reign and how we can participate in it. The Kingdom is not just a physical place but is present in our hearts and lives as we live according to God’s will. Our actions, attitudes, and priorities should reflect our belonging to this Kingdom. We are called to be witnesses of God’s love, mercy, and grace on earth, and our understanding of the Kingdom fuels our faith and desire to share the good news with others. As we grow in our understanding of the Kingdom, we will find ourselves living more thoughtfully and intentionally, with our eyes set on things above.
Matthew 4:17
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'” – Matthew 4:17
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3
Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” – Matthew 13:44
Matthew 13:46
“When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” – Matthew 13:46
Matthew 25:34
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.'” – Matthew 25:34
The Teaching of Love
As we read Matthew, the command to love God and our neighbors resonates deeply. Jesus emphasizes love as the greatest commandment, encouraging us to embody it in every aspect of our lives. Love is a powerful tool in building relationships and fostering understanding within our communities. This kind of love asks us to extend grace to others, practice kindness, and show compassion, reflecting the love we have received from God. As followers of Christ, we are given the opportunity to demonstrate love through our words and actions, impacting the lives of those around us. Love binds our community and echoes the very essence of the Gospel.
Matthew 22:37
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” – Matthew 22:37
Matthew 22:39
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:39
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
Matthew 17:5
“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!'” – Matthew 17:5
The Promise of Hope
Finally, throughout the book of Matthew, we are filled with hope as Jesus shares the good news of salvation. His life, death, and resurrection promise eternal life for us who believe. The scriptures convey the message that no matter where we find ourselves, we can always trust in God’s goodness and mercy. Even in times of trial, we can look to Jesus as our source of hope. He reassures us that He is with us always, inspiring us to look beyond our present circumstances. This is a message we can share with others. We must hold onto that promise as we face the challenges of life, knowing there is hope and a future in Christ.
Matthew 12:21
“In his name the nations will put their hope.” – Matthew 12:21
Matthew 28:20
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
Matthew 10:31
“So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:31
Matthew 11:30
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:30
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the teachings found in the book of Matthew, we discover how relevant they are to our everyday lives. The call to discipleship reminds us that following Jesus is a continuous journey, one that invites us to grow closer to Him. Our faith is a powerful force that enables us to trust in God even during moments of uncertainty.
Forgiveness, prayer, love, and hope are cornerstones of a life lived in obedience to God. They are not just lofty ideals but practical steps we can take to enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. By fully engaging with these teachings, we begin to see transformation within ourselves.
Let us take these lessons to heart and seek to live them out each day. We can also encourage others to learn more about their faith, so we invite you to explore more topics on our website, such as following Jesus and Jesus himself. Together, we grow in understanding God’s word and His promises for our lives.