The book of Matthew gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).
The silence between the old testament (O.T) and the N.T, is broken by the voice of God through his angel, in a dream, to Joseph and God’s words were “Fear Not”. (Matthew 1:20). Notice how the last words of God in the O.T. is about the possibility of the earth being smitten with a curse, a reason to be afraid (Malachi 4:6), but the first words of God in the N.T. to man is “Do not be afraid” i.e., “fear not” (Matthew 1:20). Why because a child shall be born (signifying the humanity of Jesus Christ), and a son will be given (signifying the divinity of Jesus Christ; For God so loved the world that he GAVE). His name will be called JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins. Jesus is THE SAVIOR.
Matthew is the story of a Jew to the Jews about a Jew, one who will hail from the line of David, the tribe of Judah. In Revelation 5:5 we see the account of the elder who sees that the one worthy to open the scroll and break its seals is Jesus Christ, as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David. Why is this important? Because the Jews were prophesied to, that the Messiah will come from David’s line. Matthew is establishing the fact that Jesus is indeed the Messiah they seek, the fulfillment of the O.T. prophecies.
Jesus is not just the Savior from the line of David, but he is a King; The Lion of the tribe of Judah. he is not just an ordinary king, but He is the the King of kings, THE SOVEREIGN KING. In fact, the book of Matthew establishes this fact that Jesus is King. In the first coming, Jesus came as a Savior (Matthew 1:21). In the second coming, Jesus will come as the King. Remember his first ministerial words, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near” (Matthew 4:17). Also interesting is the fact that the first question posed upon the birth of Jesus, by those deemed wise was “Where is he who is born the King of the Jews? (Matthew 2:2) and in his death, upon the Cross, the accusation (actually the affirmation) was IESVS NAZARENVS REX IVDAEORVM which meant Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews (Matthew 27:37). In both his birth and in his death, Jesus was recognized as a King.
In the plaque that hung on the top of Jesus’ head, as he hung on the Cross, dying in our stead, for our sins, being innocent, the affirmation was that He is SAVIOR (aka Jesus) and KING (aka Rex Ivdaeorvm).
In Matthew, Jesus is The Savior-King; the Sovereign King of kings.
Points to ponder:
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? If not, ask Him to be by saying, “Lord, I am a sinner and I can’t save myself from God’s just judgment, but I believe that you are the Son of God and you took upon my punishment and died in my stead, I believe. Be my Savior! Amen”.
Now, if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, do you allow Him to be your King?
