the first gospel

There are 4 Gospels at the front of the New Testament.  Each tell the wonderful story of Christ coming to earth to redeem mankind.  It is interesting to me how unique each book is. Matthew starts with a genealogy that is organized around David and Abraham.  When you think about it, you can see that Matthew's purpose was to link up Christ with the prophecies of the Old Testament.  Look at his closing summary in Matthew 1:17 "So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, fourteen generations." Matthew shows the order and structure of the Old Testament and helps us to understand that Jesus was descended from Abraham and David.  That takes you all the way back to Genesis! As you read, you discover the word throughout the book  "fulfill" (Matt. 1:22; 2:15, 17, 23; 3:15; 4:14; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14, 35; 21:4; 26:54, 56; 27:9) What a great way to launch off the New Testament.  Christ had fulfilled the 4000 year prophecies about the Messiah.  It's probably why he started the book in such a profound way.  As it says in verse 1: "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." Praise God! 

---