Matthew definitely is trying to present Jesus as a truly Rabi, one who has the ability to teach about God in a way that can be meaningful for the people who is learning from him. The Lord would use many parables to deliver his teachings; those were use for other Rabies as well, but Jesus was using it with a new meaning, the meaning of kingdom of God that he brought.
From the beginning, he laid out the foundation of our relationship with God and his kingdom, by saying that the reality of this kingdom in our lives will pretty much depends of our understanding of his words. He said “But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understand it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case of hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty” (13:23)
Everything that is written about Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is meant to demonstrate that Jesus is the promised Messiah of the Jews. Only somebody like the Messiah could miraculously fed the hungry, walk on the waters, heal the sick and bring new hope and faith to his people. Matthew also presents a unique moment in the life of Jesus when “he was transfigured before them and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” (17:2) and not by chance Jesus is presented with Moses and Elijah, the most influential men in the Old Testament, and a voice from heaven saying “This is my Son, my beloved with him I am pleased; listen to him” (17:5)
The message was obvious, the time to hear Jesus had come, Moses and Elijah did their part, and they fulfilled their calling, but the Messiah is bigger and greater than they are, he is the fulfillment of everything that the Jews people have been longing for.
When you read this gospel, keep in mind that everything written here is to demonstrate the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ and his ability to transform anybody that sincerely is looking for his help, including the gentiles who at that time were still rejected by the Jews.
One powerful example could be the passage where Jesus healed the Canaanite’s daughter, just because she was brave enough to believe that this Jew’s Messiah could bless her (17:21-28) and what about the Israelites to whom he was sent to? Would they be brave enough to believe in their Messiah? In addition, what about ourselves, will we be brave enough to believe in him? You cannot read this Gospel without asking yourself those and other questions, especially when you know that this was written to help us to understand whom Jesus is and what is he expecting from us.
Keep reading, and open your heart to hear what God is telling you!