The central focus of the parables is the kingdom of heaven. Parables are “stories Jesus told to describe his kingdom, his return, future judgement, and how disciples should behave.” (Johnston, 2006, p.177). If we are to understand the significance of the appearance of Jesus in the fullness of time to inaugurate the kingdom and the whole meaning of redemptive history, we see that focus come into clear view in the Gospel according to Matthew. The book of Matthew’s place in the biblical storyline also fits into consummation. In Matthew, it is stated that Jesus will complete (consummate) the Kingdom of God at his return. “The kingdom of God is not an expression the Old Testament uses, but Jesus speaks of it often in his teaching. It sums up the prophetic hope.” (Roberts, 2002, p. 114). Jesus knows that he was sent to fulfill the old testament prophesy.
The major themes of Matthew are that Jesus’ life had been prefigured in the Old Testament, as Matthew often quotes prophetic passages of the old testament. Secondly, that Jesus was the Messiah who was born in Bethlehem and descended through Joseph from King David. Thirdly, that the birth of Jesus was divinely ordained. Lastly, that Jesus rose on the third day, and was seen by his disciples. The theological message of the gospel of Matthew was aimed at a Jewish audience and the main message is that Christ is the Messiah and the King of the Jews. He came to redeem the Jewish nation