Jesus The Messianic King(2020)-1

JESUS The MESSIANIC KING-I—Matthew 1:1-17

Attention:

For many, Christmas is about the change of physical seasons. With our sentiments being stirred by specific & secular, holiday songs & stories. White Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, etc., & of course the Night Before Christmas.

But none of these even approach the magnificent mystery of Christ's taking on human flesh to redeem us for God's works & heaven!

Those secular appropriations are a paltry attempt by the lost, to redeem the celebration for themselves.

Matthew’s audience is provided a telling look at Jesus’ right to Messianic rule.

Jesus is uniquely the Messianic King.

?Why is Jesus uniquely the Messianic King?

OR...?What makes Jesus uniquely the Messianic King?

4 qualifiers making Jesus uniquely the Messianic King.

1—Jesus is uniquely the Messianic King by...

COVENANT(:1)

Explanation: (:1) Forebears/Ancestors

:1—“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:”

This portion of Matthew’s gospel is a record/scroll/“book” of Jesus’ genealogy.

“Jesus” is a given name. Yet it is not a non-sensical name. His name has very definite meaning, which speaks directly to His purpose in coming to earth. “Jesus” is a very specific name which both Mary & Joseph were told, in separate angelic events, to name her first child(cf.-Mat. 1:20-21; Lk. 1:30-31).

“Jesus”(Ihsouv)—is Greek a translation of the Hebrew name—‘Yehoshua’(ewvwhy)—meaning ‘YHWH/Jehovah is salvation’ or ‘YHWH/Jehovah saves.’ Thus understandably, ‘Jesus’ was a name often used in Jewish culture during the historical timeframe that is recorded in Matthew.

However given this particular Jesus’ status as ‘God in human flesh’, & combined with His divine purpose of saving mankind, “Jesus” expressly means ‘Savior.’

The particular ‘Savior’(“Jesus”) whose “genealogy” we have before us, is that of ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’

Here Matthew specifically tells us that this “Jesus”(Savior) is also the “Christ”(:1, 16-17). “Christ”(in Greek) refers to the word ‘Messiah’(in Hebrew).

•’Messiah’—xyvm maw-shee'-akh— is the original Hebrew term, & ‘Christ’ is it’s Greek translation. So both mean the same thing: That is...‘Anointed’ or ‘Anointed One.’ That is, the One specifically chosen(‘anointed’) by the Almighty, Triune God to be the Savior is none other than this “Jesus”(of Nazareth).

The term, ‘Messiah’ is used ‘directly’ in—Dan. 9:25-26; Jn. 1:42; Jn. 4:25-26.

Jn. 1:29-41—“.....John saw Jesus coming toward him, & said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ “I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, & He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, & remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ “And I have seen & testified that this is the Son of God.” Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, & they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, & seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi”(which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come & see.” They came & saw where He was staying, & remained with Him that day(now it was about the tenth hour[10AM Roman Time]). One of the two who heard John speak, & followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, & said to him, “We have found the Messiah”(which is translated, the Christ).”

•So Jesus of Nazareth(>2000 yrs. ago) was & remains THE ‘Anointed’ One of God, FOR the grand purpose of mankind’s complete salvation from personal sin.

Thus “Jesus Christ” is actually a title of the person, whom the Bible & Christians readily recognize as the ‘Anointed Savior.’

The Jews were sticklers for maintaining their genealogies due to the fact that their entire religious, ceremonial, & civil lifestyles were built around tribal familial kinships. Their theocratic society—‘rule by God’, or ‘God at the helm’—demanded it.

This Jesus, who is Christ, also has a viable Hebrew pedigree. He is the “son of David” as well as “of Abraham.” These are two obvious progenitors/benchmarks/hallmarks in establishing Judaic history. Such a pedigree, particularly in regard to kingship, would garner the person great respect.

*Both “David” & “Abraham” are the two progenitors/ancestors/forefathers thru whom the Messianic expectation originates.

Though “David” follows “Abraham” by 12 generations(or rather 14 per :17 including Abraham & David themselves), Matthew finds it central to his purpose, that he records for his audience, that first & foremost, “Jesus Christ” is “the son of David.”