Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
WORSHIP THE KING OF KINGS!
Matthew 1:20b–23; 2:1–11
Jesus: Sent to Save (1:20b–23)
Joseph’s world came crashing in on him when he discovered that his betrothed, Mary, was pregnant. Heartbroken, he had decided to divorce her privately without any court proceedings. God sent an angel to explain to Joseph that Mary had not been unfaithful and her child had been conceived supernaturally. He reminded Joseph of his messianic lineage by calling him “son of David.” He commanded Joseph not only not to divorce Mary but also to go ahead and marry her. Therefore the child would be Joseph’s son legally and thus the son of David. The phrase “that which has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” is profound. In those words is the ultimate testimony to the virgin birth. This special child was to be named Jesus, which means “the Lord saves.” Mary’s son would be the One to bring God’s promised eschatological salvation. There was much Jewish expectation of a messiah who would redeem Israel from Roman tyranny and even purify his people, but there was no expectation that the Davidic Messiah would give His life as a ransom to save His people from their sins. Jesus’ supernatural conception by the Holy Spirit and birth in Bethlehem took place to fulfill God’s Word. God comforted Joseph by informing him that all was going according to the divine plan. Quoting Isaiah 7:14, Matthew identified Jesus as the promised Messiah. He also noted that Jesus would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” This verse introduces one of Matthew’s key themes: God’s presence with His people. This precious truth also is found at the end of the book in Jesus’ marching orders to the Church in Matthew 28:18–20. The name Immanuel ought to encourage us because it clearly affirms Jesus’ deity and the fact that He will be with us all over the world as we take His gospel to unreached peoples and proclaim salvation in His name.
Jesus: Born to Rule (2:1–6)
Herod the Great was wealthy, politically gifted, an excellent administrator and clever enough to remain in the good graces of successive Roman emperors. His famine relief was superb, and his building projects were admired even by his enemies. But he loved power, inflicted heavy taxes on the people and resented the fact that many Jews considered him an usurper. In his last years, suffering an illness that compounded his paranoia, he turned to cruelty and, in fits of rage, killed close associates, his wife and at least two of his sons. After Jesus’ birth (probably in 6 B.C.), wise men from the East came to worship Jesus. Contrary to the Christmas carol, the wise men were not kings. Rather they were a combination of wise men and priests probably from Persia. They wanted to find the One “born” king of the Jews. When King Herod heard whom they were looking for, he was troubled. Because of his paranoia and fits of jealousy, all Jerusalem was troubled as well. People died whenever King Herod was troubled. He summoned the biblical scholars of his day and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They correctly answered Bethlehem, citing Micah 5:2. Matthew quoted part of Micah 5:2 and added some shepherd language from 2 Samuel 5:2. Jesus was born to rule not just the people of Israel but God’s entire universe. He is not just the King of the Jews but the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Jesus: Worthy of Worship (2:7–11)
The reason King Herod wanted to learn, at his secret meeting with the wise men, the exact time the star appeared was that he had already schemed to kill Bethlehem’s small boys. King Herod’s hypocritical humility — “that I, too, may come and worship Him” — deceived the wise men. Conscious of his success, King Herod did not send an escort with them. He did not foresee God warning them not to return to him (Matt. 2:12). As the wise men headed to Bethlehem, the star reappeared and “came to rest over the place where the child was.” The wise men found the mother and child and bowed down to worship Him. The gifts they presented typically were associated with royalty. Their actions wonderfully foreshadowed the worship of Jesus by all the Gentile nations (Matt. 28:19; Rev. 7:9–10).
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