How Matthew Saw Jesus
Matthew wrote his account of the gospel of Jesus Christ to convince his fellow Jews that Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah.
A former tax collector, Matthew now logged and recorded genealogies, prophecies, and experiences that provided compelling evidence of who Jesus was.
The first chapter of his book opens with a genealogy beginning with Abraham, the father of the faith, continuing to King David, and ultimately culminating with Jesus by way of his earthly father, Joseph. Not only is this lineage impressive, it fulfills Messianic requirements.
Matthew then gives details regarding the birth of Jesus, noting particularly that Jesus was both the Son of God and the Son of Man. Humanity and divinity are embodied in Jesus.
The Jewish community expected their Messiah to be a human ruler of an earthly kingdom. It had not crossed their minds that the Messiah would be the Son of God. They saw (see) God as being “one,” and therefore viewed any claims of Jesus’ divinity as being blasphemous.
But, all along, God’s plan was not merely to redeem an earthly nation (Israel) from Roman rule; God wanted to redeem all of humanity from the spiritual oppression of the kingdom of darkness. Jesus’ kingdom was to be spiritual first, and then become realized on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew goes on to say:
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:21-23 ESV)
There is no other religion whose God stooped down to humanity. Jesus is God with us – the Word made flesh.
I’ve heard it said this way: The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of men might become the sons of God.
Is Jesus merely a historical figure, a good teacher, a miracle worker, a prophet? Or is He indeed God made flesh, the Savior, the one and only way to the Father?
If He is who He claims, it demands a response from every person. He asks you today: “Who do you say that I am?”