Matthew Labyorteaux - Connecting To An Old Story
When we hear a name like Matthew, it just sort of brings to mind a whole lot of different people and stories, doesn't it? You might think of someone you know, or maybe even a public person who shares that very same name. It's a name that has been around for a very long time, carrying with it a sense of history and meaning across many generations. So, in some respects, thinking about a name can really open up a way to look back at figures from the past who also carried that same label, and what their contributions might have been.
This particular exploration, you know, takes us back to a figure who bore the name Matthew, someone whose story is quite deeply woven into ancient texts and traditions. We're going to look at information that comes from old writings, specifically those that talk about a Matthew who had a big part in shaping a significant historical account. As a matter of fact, it’s about a person whose life and words continue to be studied and thought about by many people even today, which is quite something when you consider how long ago he lived.
So, while the name Matthew might make you think of many individuals, perhaps even someone like Matthew Labyorteaux, our focus here will be on a Matthew from a time long past, whose life details are recorded in texts like the NIV Application Bible. This book, which really helps bring ancient messages closer to us, helps us understand a little bit about the world of this Matthew, and the important role he played in a story that has shaped beliefs for centuries. It's an opportunity, you see, to connect with a historical figure through the very words left behind about him.
Table of Contents
- Biography of Matthew the Apostle
- The Call to Follow
- The Gospel According to Matthew
- Matthew's Enduring Message
- The Church's View of Matthew
Biography of Matthew the Apostle
The Matthew we are talking about, as a matter of fact, holds a very special place in historical records. He was, you know, one of the twelve people chosen by Jesus to be his closest followers, often referred to as apostles. This group had a truly unique chance to spend time with Jesus, learning directly from him and seeing his actions up close. Their experiences, in a way, would later become the foundation for many of the stories and teachings that have been passed down through the ages. He was, apparently, a key figure in the early days of a significant movement.
Beyond being one of the twelve, this Matthew is also traditionally known as one of the four evangelists. This means, basically, that he is considered the author of one of the four main accounts of Jesus's life, often called the Gospel of Matthew. So, not only was he a close companion, but he also put pen to paper, or rather, perhaps, stylus to parchment, to share what he had witnessed and learned. This really makes his contribution quite significant, doesn't it, for anyone looking to understand the story of Jesus from an early source?
His primary goal, it seems, in writing his account, was to convince his Jewish audience that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah. He did this, in fact, by carefully showing how Jesus's life, everything he did and said, fulfilled prophecies and expectations from older scriptures. This was, you know, a very important point for his initial readers, connecting the new story to their existing beliefs and traditions. He was, in a way, building a bridge between the past and the present for them.
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Who Was Matthew Labyorteaux (and the Name Matthew)
When we talk about the name Matthew, it's pretty common, isn't it? You might think of a modern person, perhaps like Matthew Labyorteaux, who has made a name for himself in different ways. But the name itself, you know, has a very long history, stretching back thousands of years. It comes from a Hebrew word meaning "gift of God." So, in some respects, anyone bearing the name Matthew, whether it's a well-known actor or a figure from ancient times, carries with them a linguistic echo of this old meaning. It's quite interesting, really, how names persist and carry threads of meaning through history, don't you think?
Our focus here, however, is on the Matthew whose story is preserved in the ancient texts we referenced, the one who was a follower of Jesus. This particular Matthew, you see, lived in a very different world, a time without the kind of media or public records we have today. So, while we might easily find details about someone like Matthew Labyorteaux with a quick search, information about this ancient Matthew comes primarily from the religious writings themselves, which were meant to convey spiritual truths rather than what we might call a modern biography. It’s a different kind of record, basically.
The fact that the name "Matthew" connects these two individuals, one from our time and one from so long ago, really highlights how certain names have a staying power, almost a timeless quality. It's a reminder, perhaps, that while people and their lives change dramatically over centuries, some things, like names, can offer a quiet link across very vast stretches of time. It's a bit like a small thread, isn't it, running through a very large tapestry of human history?
Personal Details and Life Journey
The personal details we have about Matthew the Apostle, you know, are not like the detailed biographies we might expect for someone important today. The ancient texts, you see, tend to focus more on his role and his message rather than a full life story. However, we do know some key things about him that paint a picture of who he was and where he came from. He lived, apparently, in Palestine during the first century CE, which was a time of great change and expectation in that part of the world. It was a bustling place, full of different groups and beliefs, and Matthew was very much a part of that scene.
Here's a brief look at some of the known details about Matthew the Apostle, gathered from the texts we mentioned:
| Detail | Information from My Text |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew (also known as Levi in some accounts) |
| Profession Before Call | Tax Collector (or "Publican") |
| Association | One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ |
| Role | Traditional Author of the Gospel of Matthew (one of the four evangelists) |
| Main Purpose of Gospel | To prove Jesus is the Messiah to Jewish readers |
| Geographical Flourishing | Palestine, 1st Century CE |
| Western Feast Day | September 21 |
| Eastern Feast Day | November 16 |
| Known For | Penning the first Gospel, detailing Jesus's fulfillment of Old Testament scriptures, the book of the generation of Jesus Christ |
| Original Church Affiliation | Originally strongly Jewish Christian, later Gentile Christians became predominant |
It's important to remember, you know, that while these details give us a snapshot, much about his personal life remains unrecorded in the ancient writings. The focus was more on his spiritual journey and his contribution to the early Christian community, rather than everyday happenings. So, in some respects, we get a sense of his purpose more than his daily routine, which is typical for historical figures from that period whose stories are told for specific spiritual or theological reasons.
The Call to Follow
One of the truly defining moments in Matthew's life, as described in the ancient texts, was when Jesus asked him to become a follower. It was, apparently, a very direct and simple request. The text tells us that Jesus simply said, "Follow me," and Matthew, without hesitation, got up and did just that. This act of immediately leaving behind his old life to follow Jesus speaks volumes about his character and his readiness for a new path. It’s a powerful moment, really, showing a quick and willing response to a profound invitation.
This kind of immediate action, you know, is quite striking. It suggests a deep sense of conviction or perhaps a longing for something different in his life. For someone to just pick up and go, leaving behind their work and their familiar surroundings, it means that the call must have resonated very deeply with him. It's a reminder, too, that big changes can sometimes come from very simple words, and that the readiness to accept those changes can shape a person's entire future. It's a pretty compelling image, isn't it?
The moment of his call, you see, also highlights the kind of people Jesus chose to be close to him. He didn't always pick those who were already highly respected in society. Sometimes, he chose individuals from unexpected backgrounds, and Matthew's story is a prime example of this. It shows, in a way, that anyone, regardless of their past or their profession, could be called to a new purpose. This idea, basically, was quite revolutionary for its time, offering a different view of who could be considered worthy or capable of spiritual leadership.
What Did Matthew Do Before His Call?
Before Jesus called him, Matthew had a job that was, frankly, not very popular in his society. He was a tax collector, sometimes called a "publican." Now, in ancient Judaism, this was, you know, one of the most looked-down-upon professions. People really disliked tax collectors, and for good reason, apparently. They often worked for the Roman authorities, collecting taxes from their own people, and were sometimes known to take more than was due, keeping the extra for themselves. So, in some respects, they were seen as collaborators with an occupying power and as dishonest individuals. It was, basically, a job that put you at odds with your community.
Because of this, tax collectors were often socially excluded. They weren't typically welcomed in respectable company, and their profession made them outcasts in many ways. So, for Jesus to call Matthew, a tax collector, to be one of his closest followers was, you know, a very bold and unconventional move. It challenged the social norms and expectations of the time, showing that Jesus's message was for everyone, even those considered to be on the fringes of society. It was, in a way, a powerful statement about inclusion and acceptance.
This background of Matthew's, his previous work, actually makes his immediate decision to follow Jesus even more significant. He was leaving behind a life that, while perhaps financially rewarding, was socially isolating and morally questionable in the eyes of many. His quick response to Jesus's call suggests a desire for something different, a yearning for acceptance or a deeper purpose that his old life couldn't provide. It’s a compelling personal transformation, you see, from a reviled profession to a revered role in history.
The Gospel According to Matthew
The book traditionally attributed to Matthew is, you know, a very important part of the New Testament. It's the first of the four Gospels, and it holds a special place as the fortieth book of the entire Bible. This book is, apparently, a detailed account of Jesus's life, his teachings, and his actions, presented in a way that was particularly meaningful to its original audience. It's a foundational text, basically, for understanding the early Christian perspective on who Jesus was and what he came to do. It really sets a lot of the stage for what comes after it.
The way the book is put together, you see, and the stories it chooses to tell, really show that it was written with a specific purpose in mind. It's not just a random collection of events; it's a carefully constructed narrative designed to convey a particular message. The traditions of the church, along with what's found within the book itself, consistently point to Matthew the Apostle as the person who put this account together. So, in some respects, we are reading the words and insights of someone who was actually there, a firsthand witness to much of what he describes.
This Gospel, you know, has had an enormous influence over centuries. It's been studied, translated, and interpreted by countless people, and its stories and teachings have shaped beliefs and cultures around the world. Its structure and content have made it a very popular starting point for those looking to understand the story of Jesus, offering a clear and compelling narrative. It's a pretty remarkable piece of writing, really, considering its lasting impact.
Why Was Matthew's Gospel So Important?
Matthew's Gospel holds a very special place because it was, you know, written primarily to convince Jewish readers that Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah. This was a really big deal at the time, as there were many different ideas about who the Messiah would be and what he would do. Matthew's account, basically, aimed to show that Jesus fit all the descriptions and prophecies found in their sacred texts, the Old Testament scriptures. So, in some respects, it was a very persuasive piece of writing, designed to connect new events with ancient expectations.
The way Matthew went about this was, apparently, by constantly referring back to those older writings. He would tell a story about Jesus, and then, very often, he would point out how that particular event or teaching fulfilled something that had been predicted centuries before. This method was, you know, incredibly important for his Jewish audience, as it showed them that Jesus was not just a new teacher, but the culmination of their history and their hopes. It was a way of saying, "Look, this is what we've been waiting for, and here he is."
Furthermore, this Gospel also helps us understand how to live a life that is in line with God's will. It answers the question of how obedience to God's will should look in practice, offering teachings and examples from Jesus's life. So, it wasn't just about proving Jesus's identity; it was also about guiding people on how to live. This dual purpose, you see, made it an incredibly valuable and practical text for its original readers and for people ever since. It’s a bit like a guidebook, isn't it, for both belief and behavior?
How Did Matthew Show Jesus as the Messiah?
Matthew's way of showing Jesus as the Messiah was, you know, very clever and deliberate. He did it primarily by connecting Jesus's life and ministry directly to the Old Testament scriptures. For example, he starts his Gospel with a genealogy, a family tree, which is a very important detail for Jewish readers. This genealogy traces Jesus's family line back through King David and then all the way back to Abraham. This was, apparently, a crucial point, as the Messiah was expected to come from the line of David, and Abraham was the father of the Jewish people. So, in some respects, right from the very beginning, Matthew established Jesus's proper lineage. It was, basically, a clear statement of his credentials.
The genealogy starts by saying, "This is the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." This opening statement immediately places Jesus within the historical and prophetic context that Jewish people would understand. It then goes on to list the generations, including the very important detail that "Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ." This phrasing, you know, carefully connects Jesus to the lineage while also acknowledging his unique birth through Mary. It's a very precise way of presenting his origins.
Throughout the Gospel, Matthew continues this pattern. He frequently uses phrases like "this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet," whenever Jesus did something or something happened to him. This constant referencing back to the ancient prophecies was, you know, his main way of building a case for Jesus's messianic identity. He wanted to leave no doubt in the minds of his readers that Jesus was the one they had been waiting for, the one who would bring about God's plans. It was a pretty compelling argument,
Matthew Labyorteaux - Actor
'Little House on the Prairie's Matthew Labyorteaux Turned 56 in 2022
HAPPY 54th BIRTHDAY to MATTHEW LABYORTEAUX!! 12/1/20 Born Matthew
