REVEALING THE KINGDOM:AN EXAMINATION OF JESUS’ ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IN MATTHEW’S GOSPEL

Abstract

This paper argues that in Matthew’s Gospel Jesus is portrayed through his miracles, parables, and teachings to be the promised servant of YHWH in Isaiah 61. This paper will explore Matthew’s use of his source material to highlight Jesus’ role as the representative of YHWH and mediator of the Covenant. This paper will conclude that Jesus’s miracles and teachings demonstrate the “first fruits” of the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. Finally, the paper will demonstrate that Jesus’s teaching explores the “already but not yet” tensions present in the prophecies of Messiah as the servant of YHWH which will only be realized in the eschaton.