The gospels are not designed to be exhaustive, chronological descriptions Jesus. Each gospel is written in order to present a particular side of the magnificent Messiah. Our Savior is far too altogether lovely to be illustrated in one painting. Therefore, in addition to all of the Old Testament passages, we have been given four gospels, each of which paints related but different paintings of His majesty. The gospels also demand a response from the reader. The gospels are designed to get the reader to ask and answer, “Who is this man?!”
Matthew presented Jesus of Nazareth as the King. More specifically, Jesus is the Rejected Savior King. The genealogy provided by Matthew indicates that Jesus is descended from Abraham and David, both of which are necessary to be the King. Matthew provides announcements and heralding of the King. The star in the east, the Magi, John the Baptist, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit all announce that this Jesus of Nazareth is the long-awaited King. Jesus proves Himself worthy in the wilderness temptations where He succeeds in that which the first Adam and all mankind failed miserably. In the Beatitudes and the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proclaimed the laws of the kingdom that His subjects are to obey. In the healings, cleansing of lepers, casting out demons, raising from the dead, restoring sight, restoring speech, etc., Jesus gives an unmistakable display of His Kingly power. Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the King.
Once Jesus displayed this mighty power, He delegated that power. He gave his disciples authority and power and sent them out into the cities to do what He would have done. When the disciples returned, Jesus began to teach them difficult truths. He taught them specifically about the rejection the King would face and thus the rejection they would face. The King would have no place to lay His head. Take no money with you but rely on the generosity of those you minister to. You will be sent out as sheep among wolves. You will be handed over to courts to be beaten and scourged. You will be hated. Do not fear those who can kill the body but fear the One who can kill the body and cast the soul into hell. You must deny yourself and take up your cross.
Matthew records the formal presentation of the King followed by the absolute, methodical rejection of the King. On the final leg of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, the blind men cry out all the more that Jesus is the Son of David and thus the King. Palm Sunday clearly demonstrates Jesus as the long-awaited King. The unridden colt, the palm branches, the coats, the crowds shouting “Hosanna to the King” and the children in the Temple shouting the same thing present a complete acknowledgement that Jesus is the King. Matthew next records a complete and methodical rejection of the King. Through a series of mock and illegal trials, Jesus was rejected as King by a Jewish political court, a Jewish religious court, and a Roman court. The same crowds who heralded Jesus as King just days earlier shouted “Crucify Him” to Pilate. Praise God, Matthew’s record does not stop here. There is a final proof and triumph which could not be more absolute. The tomb remains empty and the One who was placed there appeared several times to many people before ascending. In the Great Commission, Jesus declared that all authority is given to Him. Furthermore, He lives in the hearts of His subjects to this day. Who is this man?!
