1. Matthew 1: The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

The first chapter of the gospel of Matthew states the entire genealogy of Christ from Abraham to Joseph and Mary. Verse 17 states that, added up, "all of the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation of Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations." This means that there were 3 sets of 14 (7X2) generations from Abraham to Christ. Not only did Jesus fulfill all of the prophecies of the promised Messiah, but his birth became the symbol of the completion of God's promises and plans. Jesus truly is the symbol of all God is and all we need to commune with Him!

2. Matthew 13: Jesus tells 7 parables

Throughout scripture, Jesus used parables, or stories, to illustrate messages about humanity, faith, and the kingdom of heaven. In chapter 13, Jesus tells 7 parables comparing human faith to soil, weeds, and mustard seeds, and heaven to leaven, hidden treasures, fine pearls, and a net thrown into the sea. Just as Jesus himself is the completion of all we need for salvation, his teachings in scripture are able to sustain us as we

3. Matthew 14: Feeding of the five thousand

In Chapter 14, Jesus is consumed by a crowd just after hearing about the passing of John the Baptist. Despite his mourning, he "had compassion on them and healed their sick." The disciples told Jesus to send the crowds away, but Jesus told the disciples that they must give them something to eat. They told Jesus that they only had five loaves and two fish. Christ took the five loaves and two fish, looked up at heaven, blessed the food, and was able to feed 5,000 Jewish people. I have read this story multiple times but it wasn't until last week that I realized something interesting: the text emphasizes the number of food supplies they had available. 5 loaves. 2 fish. 7 pieces of food in total.

Even when it seemed impossible and the disciples felt ill-equipped to serve, Jesus was able to provide. Truly, no matter how big a problem seems and how little resources we feel we have, nothing can be added unto what God provides.

4. Matthew 15: Feeding of the four thousand

A common biblical misconception is that there is only one story of Jesus feeding thousands. However, Jesus' feeding of the four thousand occurs just one chapter later. Despite the only clear distinction in each story being the number of people to feed, there are some other key difference. In Chapter 15 Jesus is in Gentile territory, presumably feeding a Gentile crowd. Second, the text emphasizes the number of loaves they have in a different way, saying "Seven, and a few small fish." The text never indicates how many fish there were but states multiple times that there were seven loaves. Not only is the emphasis on the "seven"-ness of Jesus' provision, but Christ also has compassion on those outside of the Jewish religion. Jesus didn't only come to "feed" the religious, but was "unwilling to send [the Gentiles] away hungry" too. For the whole world, Jesus came to provide in

5. Matthew 15- Part 2: More than enough

After illustrating the provision of Jesus to the four thousand, verse 37 states that there actually, was "broken pieces left over"— "seven baskets full." The provision of Jesus is something that doesn't run out, no matter how many people choose to eat. Jesus does not just provide, but blesses us with more than enough!

6. Matthew 17: The Transfiguration. Old meets New. The Law fulfilled!

In Matthew 16, Jesus asks Peter who he believes Him to be. Peter answers that he believes that Jesus is "the Christ, the son of the living God." Just 6 days after that, Jesus takes Peter, James and John to a mountain where He "transfigured" before them. Verse 2 says that Christ "shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light." Perhaps more shocking than that, was that Moses and Elijah appeared supernaturally beside Jesus too! As random and strange as this seemed, both Moses and Elijah actually represent Old-Testament covenants that God made with Israel-- covenants that, not only allowed for communion with God, but also promised the coming of a future Messiah. Given that the text states that this transfiguration occurred 6 days after Peter confessed Jesus as Christ, then we can assume Moses and Elijah appear on "day 7" to the disciples. In Matthew 5, Jesus states that He didn't come to abolish the law of the Old Testament, but to fulfill the law. Jesus is the completion of God's promises. Jesus is the final sacrificial savior that was promised to those of the Old Testament. Rejoice! Christ defeated death once and for all!

7. Matthew 18: Forgiveness

In Matthew 18, Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven times." Peter probably believed he sounded extremely generous and, in most situations, he would be. However, Jesus offered infinitely more than Peter would ever be able to. Jesus' forgiveness is both unlimited and all we need. His mercies are new every morning! Truly, nothing can be added unto the infinite love of Christ.