The Gospel of Matthew portrays Jesus as a new and better version of everyone who came before Him. Where Adam sinned in the Garden, Jesus obeys. Where Israel broke the covenant, Jesus is faithful. Where the religious leaders abused God’s people, Jesus is gentle and lowly. This is the book of new beginnings — a New Genesis for God’s people.

How do we gain assurance that Christ is for us and we are for Him? John offers three “tests” by which we are meant to evaluate our fidelity to Christ: the knowledge test (do you know Christ?), the moral test (do you obey His commands?), and the social test (do you love His people?) What grade would you get?