Sometime near the end of the first century (about AD 90-95) a virtually anonymous literary artist whom we know as "Matthew" wrote his version of the gospel. The style and grace of his writing tells the story of Jesus' birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection with a unique kind of sophistication and artistry. Luke is a master storyteller, John a consummate theologian, Mark an emotional eyewitness, but Matthew is the creation of a closely woven literary masterpiece. Yet Matthew's genius is only interested in one thing - presenting a written version of the gospel story that will work to change everyone who reads it. All of Matthew's images, symbols, half-answered questions, paradoxes and problems are intended to prod people out of merely reading the story and to get to them to participate in…