From now until the Sunday after Easter (April 12), we will be reading from the Gospel According to Matthew. Here’s a brief introduction to Matthew, taken from the Connect Bible (NRSV, ©2012 sparkhouse): What’s in a name? Matthew was the name of one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. This Gospel was probably named after him as a way of showing us how important the book is. Matthew the disciple is not likely the author, however, because the Gospel of Matthew was probably written in about 80 CE (50 years after Jesus died and was raised). Why was this written? Matthew writes to declare Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament—the Torah and the Prophets. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah who has come to redeem the people. The people who heard the message of this Gospel needed to hear how God was still actively continuing the promises of old. What’s the connection?