This document discusses Jesus' "I have come" statements in the Gospel of Matthew. It analyzes passages from Matthew 5:17-20, 9:9-13, and 10:34-39 where Jesus responds to God's initiative to save people from sin and manifest God's presence. Jesus comes to fulfill the law and prophets, heal people by forgiving sins, and bring hostility by challenging social norms, prioritizing his purposes over family relationships. The document examines Jesus' response to being set in motion by God through these statements.

1. “I Have Come” Amate Art of Mexico by Felix Jimenez Chino Exploration of God’s initiative in Jesus and Jesus’ response to God. Matthew: 5:17-20; 9:9-13; 10:34-39; 20:20-28 1 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

2. Birth Narrative in the Gospel of Matthew 1:8-25 The birth narrative makes it clear to the ancient and contemporary audience that Jesus birth is at the initiative of God. The narrative communicates that God has expectations and goals for Jesus’ life and ministry. i.e. saving people from sin and manifesting God’s presence. However, there is a question, how will Jesus respond to being set in motion by God? The “I have come” statements are Jesus’ response to God’s initiative. 2 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

3. Response #1 - Matthew 5:17-20 – return to the word prophet The law and the Prophets Remembering 1:22-23 The Law = the 1st five books of the bible otherwise known as the Pentateuch The prophets are those within the books ranging from Joshua to Kings. Now the word prophet does not just mean the prophets of the Hebrew scriptures, Jesus as teacher and action-taker is a prophet himself. 3 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

4. The importance of Words Scripture has “thematic indicators” or words that are repeated in order to reveal a larger pattern. In our own lives, values can be communicated through the words that we repeat to our friends and families and even to ourselves. What are some words or phrases that you draw upon often? 4 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

5. Response #2: Matthew 9:1-13 Three instances of healing 9:1-8 – the healing of the paralyzed man (paralysis is a result of sin) 9:9 – the call of Levi the tax collector- the call saves him from greed and dishonesty 9:10-13 – the meal of tax collectors and sinners – eating together as healing for a community. 5 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

6. Brainstorm in the space below what it means when Jesus says: I desire mercy, not sacrifice? Are there examples of sacrifice in the three selections on page 5? Think of when people do wrong to you or short change you. Is it important to you that they “make it right”? How do you know when they have done that? Does it include them sacrificing time, honor or resources? 6 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

7. Matt. 9:1-9 is on repeat! How many times do you count the word sin? What verses? How many times do you count the word Jesus? In what verses? How many times do you count the word forgive? In what verses? How many times do you count the word call? In what verses? 7 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

8. Rational for Why People Suffer Deuteronomy 28:15-68 Exodus 20:5 Do we have rationale that we would have to overcoming in order to take part in the divine task of healing and forgiving? What are some of the rationales about why people suffer? 8 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

9. Have we come for healing and forgiveness? Why do you believe you have come into the world? As a person striving in the direction of Jesus or the Christian faith, how much of your attention is to the healing and forgiveness that the world needs? Can you think of some examples that you would share in class? As you think of personal examples, you might consider that forgiveness has at least four steps: The recognition that forgiveness is needed Taking some action to offer what you think my result in healing or forgiveness How individuals receive your efforts. 9 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

10. Response #3: Matthew 10:34-35 This is part of a larger portion of scripture: 10:5-11:1 in which Jesus is explaining the tasks, burdens and experiences of discipleship. 10 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

11. Hostility will be a response to Jesus’ purposes The theme of Micah 7:6 is alluded to in Matthew 10:34 When do Christians receive hostile treatment? Has the emphasis on evangelism eclipsed the emphasis on healing and forgiving? Are we to make choices against our relationships if they are not Christian or is the choice a choice that drives our behavior regardless of the family culture from which we come? 11 from Warren Carter's 1998 article "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements from Matthew's Gospel. Catholic Biblical Quarterly