I remember my Professor in Biblical studies would often compare the four evangelists to four different artists. Artists may see the same image, but each one paints a picture in their own style. Similarly, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have knowledge of Jesus, but each one “paints” a different portrait of Christ, depending on their context, audience, and style. For instance, Matthew’s gospel tends to compare Jesus to many Old Testament figures. The evangelist is writing to a large Jewish Community and so he portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of many Jewish prophets, heroes, and kings. By reflecting on today’s gospel, I want to explain how Matthew illustrates Jesus to be the New Moses.
Location. The gospel begins by stating, “When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain and after he sat down, his disciples came to him (Mt. 5:1-12). This scene is reminiscent of Moses, when he would go up on high places to teach the Israelites. In the Old Testament, mountains were very important. A mountain was a place to encounter God. For example, it was on Mount Sinai where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Moses had to go up a mountain to meet God. In the gospel, the disciples encounter Jesus on a mountaintop. On a high place, they listen to Jesus and learn from Him. In our lives, we are invited to go up the mountain, our spiritual mountains. Our spiritual mountains are personal prayer and the sacraments. Whenever we pray, go to mass, or celebrate the sacraments, we take a break from the busyness of life to encounter God, to listen to His Word, and be transformed. We go up the spiritual mountain to encounter our God.
Lawgiver. Moses was responsible for teaching the Israelites God’s law. Whenever Israel would stray and sin against the Lord, Moses would remind them to follow God’s directions. In the New Testament, Matthew Chapters 5-7 are known as Jesus’ sermon on the mount. Jesus is a teacher who delivers precepts of the New Covenant, which surpass and perfect the Old. Included in His Sermon is a collection of teachings on Christian Living and moral law. In Sunday’s gospel we hear about the Beatitudes. They are a declaration that someone has received a blessing from God. The greek word used is “Marikos” which means “happy” or “fortunate”. Jesus tells us that if we follow His law and teachings, we may struggle and endure hardships in this life, but our rewards will come in eternal life in heaven. He says for instance, “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted”. This means that we sometimes endure sorrows and trials in this life, but if we are faithful to God, He will comfort us in the end. Likewise, “blessed are meek for they shall inherit the earth”. As disciples, we are called to be meek or humble. At times, the humble are taken advantage of and abused in world. However, Jesus teaches us that in the end, we will inherit the promised land of heaven.
As Catholics, we read the Old Testament writings, because they foreshadow the coming of Christ. Jesus is the fulfillment of all Old Testament figures. Like Moses, Jesus is on the mountain for people to encounter Him. We go up our spiritual mountains of personal prayer and the sacraments to encounter God. Jesus is also the new lawgiver, who teaches us to persevere in the Christian life to receive eternal rewards. Jesus is the New Moses.
