Two and a half hours later - lots of interesting things in Matthew to get sidetracked thinking about, and brings back great memories of Bible studies and other times discussing the passages with friends!
Definitely noticed the emphasis on kingship and kingdom in Matthew: Let's see how much I can remember without looking.
He starts out with the genealogies, giving the credentials as a king of Israel, but immediately we see an undercurrent that this is not your typical king - included in the genealogy both the ancestors to be proud of and a few that no self-respecting Jew (according to the teaching of the time) would include in his genealogy surely! (Rahab and Ruth as examples, both proselytes.)
We have the birth proclaimed, like a king being announced before his coming. We see supernatural visions indicating this is no ordinary birth, and we have men from outside Israel coming to worship Him as king. The testimony to His kingship continues with John the Baptist.
The focus shifts to the fact that the kingdom of heaven is at hand (very near, coming soon) Both John the Baptist and Jesus preach that the Kingdom is coming, and the appropriate response of repentance is exhorted (preached, strongly encouraged).
Then we see Christ preaching on the characteristics of that Kingdom. Upsetting the established 'rules based' system, he calls the people back to God's standard, setting the bar higher, not lower - and instead of declaring that the prosperous will be part of the Kingdom, He declares that the sick and weak will form it.
What was next? (check Bible)... Ah, Yes! We see the King delegating authority and power to disciples, sending them on the preach the same message as He, reminding them that as they have freely received, they should give freely also.
We see the authority of the King as He shows power over physical and mental health. We see the compassion of the King as He helps those whom society rejects. We see his authority over spiritual matters, with his declaration of sins forgiven - (this authority not yet demonstrated, but confirmed in the meantime because of the demonstrated power over physical and demonic forces).
We see the purpose and essence of the Kingdom in His parables, but we see that the truth is now hidden from some. We see in the parables the preciousness and the influence of the Kingdom, and the ever-present counterfeits and people who associate with the Kingdom but don't produce fruit (a characteristic of the truly repentant and saved).
Here's where I get a bit hazy. The themes from here to the cross seem bit more mixed. We have persecution and rejection of the King. Closely associated we have condemnation on those rejecting Him. We also start seeing the purpose of the King, as we have the predictions of His death coming through. As we move forward, getting closer to the Cross, we have a declaration from Peter that 'You are the Christ, the Son of God', soon followed by seeing the glory of the Kingdom in Christ's transfiguration. The King is questioned, and He shows Himself wiser than His opponents. His teachings start to emphasise that any can enter the kingdom, but preaching judgement on those who disbelieve. More miracles confirm his Kingship, and more condemnations on those who reject this evidence.
As He enters Jerusalem, He is received as King, and demonstrates His authority in clearing out His Father's house from those who used it for evil. The people praise and receive Him gladly, but by the end of the week they reject Him. His sorrow becomes more evident, weeping over their rejection of Him, weeping over the judgement that must come upon Jerusalem for rejecting their King. And then we start to see the cascade of betrayal, animosity, and corruption. The priests, Pharisees and Saducees reject Him as King. Pilate (the Roman governor) washes his hands of the affair, rejecting Him and condemning Him despite seeing no fault. The crowd rejects Him, the soldiers mock Him by dressing Him as a 'king'. Peter, His most outspoken disciple, and the one who declared He was the 'Christ the Son of God' denies his King. The thieves on the crosses beside Him reject Him, mocking Him. Yet even the writing bearing the crimes for which He hangs on the cross declares Him 'King of the Jews'.
THAT was why He died. The King of the Jews was there not because men put Him there, although it was for our sakes, but because He chose to be there. God the Father sent Him there. God the Son chose to go there. At apparently the lowest point by outside observers, God was glorified. The King of the Jews bore the open shame and curse of the world. God the Son, separated from God the Father for the first time in eternity as He bore our punishment, cried out in agony of the desolation He felt. He was still in control. When it was done, He chose to die, giving up His Spirit to the Father.
Finally shown as resurrected, He appears first to women - again counter to cultural values (women's testimony was worth less than a man's). Showing Himself to His disciples, He then delegates responsibility to them to spread the Kingdom, which is not of this world, but is of God.
The question is, is He King in my life? Yes! I can say with a glad heart that He is. And yet, there is much I still learn from my King, from His example, His teaching, and His challenges. May I ever grow in awe of His Majesty, His Glory, and His Power. May I continue to grow closer to imitate my King, and seek His help to live His standards. This is my prayer, my Lord and King.
Turned out my thoughts were too long for a comment, so I decided to make it a post instead! Good reading today, on to the Servant tomorrow!
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