The Royal Messiah Of Matthew


In the Old Testament we find prophecies about a Messiah (Or Savior) who would come to make peace with God on our behalf. As we explore these prophecies we find a few reoccurring themes. For example, the Messiah is presented as a King, yet one who is familiar with sacrifice and suffering. He’s presented as a man, but also as divine.

When we get to the New Testament, we find these prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We also find that each Gospel highlights one of the Old Testament messianic themes. Matthew highlights Christ’s royalty, Mark highlights His suffering, Luke highlights His humanity and John highlights His divinity.

This isn’t to say that one Gospel only presents one theme, but that each simply emphasises one theme a bit more than another.

So this week we’re going to take a look at where these Old Testament themes come from and how they’re presented in the Gospels. We’ll start today with the Gospel of Matthew.

In the Old Testament, the Messiah is portrayed as a King, that’s why the ancient rabbis often referred to Him as “King Messiah”.

He’s the Star out of Jacob and the Scepter that rises out of Israel in Numbers 24:17. He is the One who sits on David’s throne in Isaiah 9:7. He comes with the clouds of heaven to reign over a kingdom where all people, nations, and languages, will serve him in Daniel 7:13-14. A kingdom where the nations will no longer lift up the sword against one another in Isaiah 2:4, and his reign, we are promised, will have no end in Isaiah 9:6-7.

This is the Royal Messiah presented to us in the Gospel of Matthew.

He’s the “Son of David, the Son of Abraham” in Matthew 1:1 and the “King of the Jews” who wise men seek to worship in Matthew 2:2. Forty times He speaks of the “kingdom of heaven” and says that the day would come when He return in the clouds to establish His kingdom on earth in Matthew 26:64.

He’s asked directly, “Are you the King of the Jews?” to which He replies, “I am” in Matthew 27:11. This infuriated the Jews who demanded He be crucified. As He hungs on the cross a sign was put over His head that read: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

In Matthew 28:19, after He’s resurrected, Christ commands His followers to tell the world about the royal King who died for our sins, forgives all who come to Him and will return again soon to reign forever.

Tomorrow: The Suffering Messiah Of Mark

More: Read Past Studies

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