Matthew begins his Gospel with a genealogy tracing Jesus' human ancestors back through King David to Abraham. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to the world (Genesis 12) and that David's kingly line would reign for ever. So, right from the start, Matthew is telling us something very significant about Jesus, that is that the God's Old Testament promises and prophecies find their focus and fulfilment in Jesus: He's the promised Christ (Messiah), He's the one true King. This theme of fulfilment reappears frequently in today's passages, keep an eye out for that.
1:18-25 The story of Jesus' extraordinary life begins (and in part is explained) by the events surrounding his extraordinary conception and birth, all of which have been controlled and determined by God. Jesus is here for a reason: to save His people from their sins. But this is not good news to everyone…
Chapter 2 The effects of Jesus' birth ripple outwards: (1) in the world of nature a star appears, (2) foreign travellers make a long journey to 'worship Him', and (3) in the royal household a king's jealousy is aroused resulting in the shocking and horrific loss of young lives. The tragic deaths of the boys in Bethlehem is a signal early in the Gospel that Jesus' appearance will unleash terrible evil in the hearts of those opposed to the ways and will of God. This spiritual warfare will ultimately lead to Jesus' own unimaginable death at the hands of sinful men (Acts 2:22-23), but even here, God is in complete control.
Chapter 3 Skip forward some 30 years and John the Baptist is on a mission: to prepare his fellow Israelites for the appearing of the promised Messiah. When He comes, says John, He will bring judgement against all human wickedness and evil (including the enemies of God's people) and establish God's rightful and righteous reign over the people once more. So, says John, prepare for His coming by repenting of sin and by being ceremonially cleansed by a baptismal washing. However, as we shall see as we read further into the story, Jesus doesn't do what John and the people think the Messiah should be doing. He doesn't meet their expectations (see Matt 11:1-4), in fact, He's a bit disappointing. It's one of the reasons some think He'll have to go (12:14)…
Chapter 4 Finally for today, the spiritual war between Jesus and Satan heats up as they have a face-off in the wilderness. If Satan can trip Jesus up early in his ministry with his subtle and distracting temptations - as he did with Adam and Eve - then God's plan of Redemption or rescue of His people will have failed and humanity will be forever hopelessly lost from God. But Jesus passes these tests by trusting in God's Word and begins to exercise His kingly rule over people's lives: He calls his first disciples to follow Him, and they do! (v18-22); and the physical consequences of human sinfulness begin to be reversed as people are healed (v23).
The King has arrived!
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