Matthew 2:1-12 - Background

Alright, let's tackle a question or two I posed last time. If this is the first post you are reading, it will be helpful if you read the first Matthew post first and work your way to this one.

First, in what way is this chapter (and chapter 1) background for the rest of the book? At the beginning here, I want to make clear that I'm not saying that the first couple of chapters are not necessary, like the preface most people skip at the beginning of any book. Rather, these chapters are laying the foundation for the rest of the book. How? In these first chapters, we see different people/groups saying heavy things about Jesus. Matthew himself traces Jesus' genealogy back to David and Abraham . . . this is in no way ambiguous fluff! Matthew is telling us that Jesus is the seed of Abraham and the heir to David's thone, that is, the Messiah. Then we have an angel, someone 'in the know' with major credibility saying that this baby Jesus is conceived by the HS, and will save his people from their sins. This is no ordinary baby. He is Immanuel, which means . . . GOD WITH US. After hearing this news, Joseph is also on board, testifying with his actions that the baby is the real deal. Again, Matthew isn't being subtle or veiled. In chapter 1, Matthew clearly wants to make the point, "this is the Messiah."

In chapter 2, Matthew strengthens his case by showing other groups who also recognize who this boy is. There are the magi from the east, and Herod and 'all Jerusalem' in the west. Be sure to catch that - Gentiles and Jews alike recognize that this child is significant. This Jew and Gentile thing is huge for the whole book - we'll be coming back to it again and again - and it is no coincidence that Matthew points this out here. (Where can we see the Jew/Gentile idea in chapter 1? Look at the genealogy.) And all along the way in these two chapters, Matthew is pointing out how all of this is fulfilling OT Scripture. So to recap, we have Jesus' bloodline, the testimony of angels, the determination of Joseph, the passion of the Magi, and the fear of Herod and Jerusalem all saying the same thing, "We have the Messiah here."

So to get back to the question - how are these chapters background? They are giving us Jesus' pedigree, his resume so-to-speak, establishing for us the reason we should listen to the rest of the book: Jesus is the Messiah. His identity and authority need not be questioned. His words simply must be heard, his sermons pondered, his compassion witnessed, his example followed, his Passion treasured, his resurrection celebrated, and his gospel preached. These two chapters establish who he is so that we can reject or embrace what he does. If we reject him, we're left with no excuses. If we embrace him, we're left with no doubts.

So where are you? Adding your voice to the other voices in these chapters, testifying to the identity of Christ?

For next time, look at the Magi and Herod/Jerusalem and their respective responses to the Child. What's the point?

Until then, drink deep.