JESUS' BIRTH
Chapter 1 of the book of Matthew consists of the genealogy of Jesus and the story of his birth. An angel
appears saying Mary would bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus.
Chapter 2 contains the story of Jesus' birth, the magi, and the angel visiting and giving Joseph the message to take the Christ child to Egypt, away from Herod. When Herod is dead, the angel reappears and tells Joseph it's safe to return with his family to Nazareth, his home.
THE BEGINNING
Chapter 3 takes place when Jesus is 30. John the Baptist preaches about the coming of the messiah. He washes people in the river, and explains how Jesus will wash their souls with spiritual fire. Jesus asks John to baptize him. Afterward, the heavens open and the spirit of God descends like a dove onto Jesus.
Chapter 4 is the story of Jesus' 40 day period of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. The Tempter offers Jesus easy ways out of his troubles and Jesus replies with scripture. Jesus begins to preach and he also takes disciples. He becomes famous for healing the sick.
JESUS' TEACHINGS
Chapters 5, 6 and 7 comprise the sermon on the mount. Chapter 5 contains the beatitudes or "blessed are they..." and the parable of the candle and bushel. It talks of how to treat others, and the "love your enemies" speech. 6 contains how to pray. Six also has Jesus' teachings on money. 7 teaches of judging people.
Chapters 8 and 9 are about the miracles Jesus performed; the healings, the calming of the seas, the casting out of unclean spirits. Jesus taught that faith heals illnesses. Jesus gets accused of consorting with the devil.
Chapters 10 and 11 are about the apostles, who go out on the land preaching that if people take Jesus' teachings they will become meek and humble, and their yoke of toil and trouble will be lightened.
In Chapter 12, Jesus teaches of the proper relationship with the Church and with God. People must not speak against God. Whatever is spoken on earth will be recounted on the Day of Judgement and the same with deeds, good and bad.
SEEDS OF TROUBLE
Chapter 13 contains the parable of the seed sower, and explains that those who have understanding can learn more from parables. When people hear them, some believe and others don't. He says those from his hometown are least likely to believe him.
Chapter 14 is the story of John the Baptist's highly politicized death. Jesus' disciples leave on a boat and Jesus stays behind but appears miraculously to them in the night.
Chapter 15 tells of how Jesus' teachings conflict with the customs of the time concerning such things as honoring God verbally, and what being clean means. Then he preaches to the multitude and feeds them by multiplying a meager amount of bread and fish.
Chapter 16 speaks more and more against the Pharisees and Sadducees--the moral officials of the time. They are unable to believe without seeing a literal sign of Jesus' power. At about verse 13, Jesus affirms to his disciples that he is the Son of God.
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
Chapter 17 tells of how Jesus went up to the mountains and was transfigured, appearing with Moses and Elias. God said, "this is my beloved son, in whom I am well-pleased." The disciples ask him, "Wasn't Elias supposed to come here first?" and Jesus says, "Elias was here but nobody noticed."
Chapters 18, 19 and 20 are about marriage, work and life in keeping with God's commandments.
Chapter 21 has Jesus entering into the temple, casting out the money changers. He says he knows how he is seen to the chief priests and pharisees, who in turn see that people are following Him.
In Chapter 22 the pharisees question Jesus and try to catch him in lies. Jesus said, God is for the living, not for laws and traditions. He reaffirms the 10 commandments of Moses but says, the most important commandment is to love God.In Chapter 23, Jesus denounces the artifice of the Pharisees as hypocrisy.
Chapter 24 says Jesus knows he's going to beat the temple of Jerusalem will be destroyed. He prophecies the wars and troubles of nation upon nation, the storms and tribulations, and how his words will finally cut the hearts of those who didn't believe.
Chapter 25 is about preparing for the return of Christ, in the faces of the poor and the sick. Whoever lives by Christ's word will prosper forever, and those who don't will be punished forever.
ESTABLISHING THE SACRAMENT
Chapter 26 takes place at Passover. Jesus shares bread and wine with his apostles and the sacrament comes about, with the bread and wine being his body and blood. When they want to remember Him they make the same sacrament. Shortly afterward Jesus is brought to his fate--starting with his imprisonment.
THE CRUCIFIXION
Chapter 27, Jesus is betrayed and crucified. The earth goes into turmoil. Jesus is buried and then Mary finds the tomb emptied.
Finally in Chapter 28, Jesus reappears to his family of disciples and apostles, showing that he transcended death. He gives power to his disciples to teach all nations, saying He will always be with them.