There is an interesting literary sandwich that happens at the beginning and ending of the Gospel of Matthew. This sandwich highlights the purpose of Jesus’ Advent and the mission that those who are His disciples share with Him.
From Arrival to Arrival
Note, for instance, a couple of features that occur at the beginning and ending of Matthew. First, in Matthew 1-2, we have Jesus’ arrival. As the text says, “Now the birth of Jesus was as follows…” (Matt. 1:18). By the end of Matthew, we have the departure of Jesus to heaven but with the promise of a new, future arrival. Jesus tells His disciples, “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). On the surface that may not sound particularly like a promise to return—of a Second Advent. However, a close reading of the book of Matthew would tell otherwise. The reference to the “end of the age” is the clue, for Jesus speaks specifically of the end of the age in Matthew 24. In fact, there the disciples ask Him, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3). Jesus then proceeds to explain the events that will lead up to the end of the age upon which He will return. He specifically promises that various signs will presage His return and concludes, “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30). In this way, the “end of the age” is the time of Christ’s return. Importantly, the first coming of Christ is largely missed and ignored whereas the second coming of Christ will be evident and unmistakable (Matt. 24:27-31). Therefore, the beginning and ending of Matthew are bookended with Advents.
From Nations to Nations
“Matthew recounts a surprise entourage and a strange indifference which serves to showcase the underlying spiritual and theological realities at play. The indifference of the religious leaders showcases the hardness of the Jews to their long-awaited Savior while the coming of the Wise Men demonstrates that the gospel is for everyone.”
Not only is Matthew sandwiched with Advents, but it is also sandwiched with the nations. In Jesus’ First Advent, the nations come to Him. The coming of the nations to the newborn King is illustrated in the arrival the Magi from the East. Matthew means for his readers to be surprised at the arrival of the Magi and the apparent indifference of the religious leaders of the day. The Magi seek out the King while the leaders, who know where the King was to be born, can barely be bothered to take notice much less travel to worship Him. Matthew recounts a surprise entourage and a strange indifference which serves to showcase the underlying spiritual and theological realities at play. The indifference of the religious leaders showcases the hardness of the Jews to their long-awaited Savior while the coming of the Wise Men demonstrates that the gospel is for everyone. Jesus is not just the King of the Jews (Matt. 2:2), but the King of all the nations. Indeed, this is why the Great Commission begins with “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). In this way, the kingly authority of Christ secures and motivates the continued mission of Jesus’ disciples unto “all the nations.” Whereas the nations come to Christ after His birth, Christ sends out His disciples to the nations after His resurrection.
advent should move the church to mission
By highlighting these God ordained patterns, Matthew brings our attention to the mission of Christ which is then commissioned to us as His disciples. The First Advent brings salvation to all peoples by the sacrifice of Christ in his life, death, and resurrection. The Second Advent is coming just as surely as the First wherein Christ will bring judgment. Such is the mission of Christ’s church, to spread the message of salvation of the First Advent so that people will be prepared for the Second. Christ now reigns on high as the King of all the nations, and we share in the mission to have all the nations believe, worship, and serve Him even as the Magi do at the beginning. These realities are how Advent moves the Church to mission.
Live on Purpose, Live on Mission
“Christmas is for the Cross, the Cross is for salvation, and salvation is for the nations.”
My goal in highlighting these features of Matthew’s Gospel is to remind us that Christmas is for the Cross, the Cross is for salvation, and salvation is for the nations. Like Matthew’s Gospel, we are similarly sandwiched between the two Advents of Christ. Our job in this time is live on mission in preparation for the end of the age when our Lord will come again. We must learn to live with expectant hope and bold witness because “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14). I challenge you to commit yourself to sharing the gospel regularly throughout this year. Pick one person now and pray for them. Pray that you will be bold in speaking the gospel to them and that they will be open to believing it.
As we begin the new year, may we not leave Advent behind until the next Christmas. Rather, may we move from Advent to mission remembering why our Savior came the first time and living on purpose and on mission until He comes again.
