Matthew 1:18–2:3, 7–11

Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

God’s Unique Son
Matthew 1:18–2:3, 7–11
The richness of God’s plan through the Old Testament is spelled out in the opening verses of Matthew’s Gospel. His representation of Jesus as Abraham’s seed and the son (descendant) of David is significant for recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah. Not only is the royal lineage traced through the kings of Judah but also God’s plan for the nations is implicit with the inclusion of a Gentile woman in the genealogy of Jesus.

The Son to Worship (1:18–25)
Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of prophetic Scripture. An angel appeared to Joseph, giving him specific instructions to remain committed to Mary and to name her son Jesus (Yeshua, meaning salvation in Hebrew): “You will call his name ‘salvation,’ for he will save his people from their sins.” Before Jesus’ birth, Joseph was told of Jesus’ unique conception and His mission.

In his description of the events, the writer identifies the authority of Scripture. He also presents the virgin conception as the fulfillment of Isaiah. Quoting from the Greek Old Testament, Matthew uses the term that specifically means virgin. There is no question that this Gospel understands Isaiah 7:14 to read, in part: “The virgin will conceive and bring forth a son.”

Verse 23 offers a descriptive name for the Messiah; it is not a personal name. Immanuel, as Matthew translates it, literally means “God with us.” Essentially the writer acknowledges that Jesus is God in the flesh.

Desire to Worship the Son (2:1–3, 7–8)
While Luke 2 offers a glimpse of the events immediately around the time of Jesus’ birth, the details in Matthew 2 indicate that the visit of the Magi takes place some time later. These astrologers inquired in Jerusalem where the new king of the Jews had been born and reported to Herod that a star had appeared about two years prior to their visit (Matt. 2:7, 16). Herod expressed interest in finding the child as well, for he also desired to “worship” Him. In reality, Herod sought to destroy Jesus. Next the Magi heard that one of the prophets wrote that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). They then traveled the few miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to find the recently born “king of the Jews.”

God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. One can easily distinguish between the sincere desire of the Magi to worship the king of the Jews and Herod’s charade. What is more difficult is to consider our own motives. Every believer has the responsibility to evaluate his or her motives and to determine whether his or her acts of worship measure up to his or her words about worship.

Way to Worship the Son (2:9–11)
Scripture does not say how many Magi there were or if any were royalty. The gifts they brought, however, were substantial. Upon entering Bethlehem, they discovered the whereabouts of Jesus. When they entered the house, they met the child Jesus and His mother. The Magi worshiped Jesus, offering Him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. Due to these extravagant presents, Mary and Joseph had the means to take Jesus to Egypt and escape the wrath of King Herod in the coming days.

These gifts are certainly significant for the Messiah, whom the Magi called the king of the Jews. As the Anointed One — the literal meaning of messiah — Jesus is anointed by God. In the Old Testament, prophets are anointed by God. Kings are anointed by prophets, and priests receive anointing from other priests. Others have suggested that the gold points to Jesus’ royalty, the incense to His divinity and the myrrh to His humanity. Gold is an asset of kings, incense is burnt by priests as an offering to God and myrrh is used in wrapping dead bodies. Jesus is worthy of these gifts.

Majestic Magi traveled great distances and brought expensive gifts to offer to Jesus as a boy. According to Luke, lowly shepherds came from just outside the village and offered praise and testimony to others about the baby Jesus. Christians today must worship the Lord Jesus with whatever means they have. Whether wealthy or impoverished, greatly gifted or not, every believer must offer his or her very best to the Son who is worthy of worship.