6.16

The Presence of God in the Gospel of Matthew (Box 6.3)

God Is Present in Jesus

• when Jesus is born: “Emmanuel” = “God is with us” (1:23)
• Jesus is worshiped (2:11; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9, 17)

Jesus Is Present in the Church

• with little children, who are the greatest in the kingdom (18:5)
• with people who gather in his name to pray (18:20)
• with needy members of his spiritual family (25:37–40)
• with those who receive bread and wine in his name (26:26–28)
• with people who baptize, teach, and make disciples (28:19–20)

The Church Is Present in the World

• salt of the earth and light of the world (5:13–14)
• sheep in the midst of wolves (10:16)
• the gates of Hades will not stand (16:18)
• make disciples of all nations (28:19)

Jesus says to his followers, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me” (Matt. 10:40).