Matthew's Ending Twist.

Matthew ends his gospel with this...

"But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'" (Matthew 20:16-20)

Let's compare Matthew's ending with Mark and Luke's.

Mark's gospel ends at verse 16:9, "they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." Both the abruptness and the sour image have lead most scholars to conclude that Mark's original ending has been lost.

Luke's gospel on the other hand ends much like Matthew. Jesus opens the mind of the disciples to understand the scriptures, promises the gift of the Holy Spirit and ascends into heaven. Christ's acension is so important to Luke that he again repeats it in Acts 1.

When we compare Matthew and Luke side by side we find that in Luke Jesus leaves the disciples, but in Matthew he doesn't. Instead of describing an ascension Matthew quotes Jesus as saying "and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Why dosn't Matthew tell us of Jesus acension?

The fact that Matthew doesn't tell of Jesus' ascenion is even more profound when we understand a little more about Matthew's Gospel. Just before the ending, Jesus instructs his disciples to "Go, Make disciples... Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." This is important because a major theme of Matthew's Gospel is the teaching of Jesus. Matthew unlike Mark and Luke is structured around five major blocks of teaching. If you have a red letter edition they are easy to spot.

-Matthew 5:1-7:27
-Matthew 10:5-42
-Matthew 13:3-52
-Matthew 18:2-35
-Matthew 23:1-25:46

Each block of teaching deals with a unique theme or idea. But even more important for our discussion is that fact that each block is bracketed in the same way. In each instance Jesus gathers his disciples to him and when he is finished teaching he departs.

-Matthew 5:1-7:27

1. Disciples Gather (5:1-2) - "When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying...
2. Jesus departs (8:1) - "When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him."

-Matthew 10:5-42

1. Disciples Gather (10:1) - "Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority..."
2. Jesus departs (11:1) - "When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities."

-Matthew 13:3-52

1. Disciples Gather (13:10) - "And the disciples came and said to Him "Why do You speak to them in parables?"
2. Jesus departs (13:53) - "When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there."

-Matthew 18:2-35

1. Disciples Gather (18:1) - "At that time the disicples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2. Jesus departes (19:1) - "When Jesus had finished these words, He departed from Galilee and came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan."

-Matthew 23:1-25:46

1. Disciples Gather (23:1) - "Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples."
2. Jesus departs (26:1-2) - "When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion."
   

If you have read all these verses you can clearly see a pattern that is established. The final block, however, breaks the mold a bit. Instead of departing or leaving the place where he was teaching, Jesus tells that disciples he is going to be crucified. This declaration must be seen as in fact Jesus' ultimate departure.

What does this then have to do with Matthew 28:16-20? The end of Matthew once again repeats this pattern. Jesus gathers his disciples together (v. 16). Once again he teaches them. But unlike the former teaching blocks, Jesus does not depart. Instead, in an abrubt twist, Jesus promises to be with them "even to the end of the age."

Have you ever heard that silly word game? Someone asks you "what's white, a liquid and comes from a cow? Answer: Milk. Again they ask "what's good to drink with chocalate cake?" Answer: Milk. Again they ask what do babies drink? Answer: Milk. Finally they ask what do cows drink?Answer: Water. If you thought it was Milk then you probably got laughed at. But the principle of this joke works much like the expectations that are built up in Matthew. Just when you thought that Jesus would leave. He stays. Just when you thought Christ would'nt be there for you. He is.

Christ never leaves.