The Infancy Narratives (Matthew 1:18-2:23)
Matthew gives us three stories from the infancy of Jesus, and all serve to reinforce the claim that Jesus is the promised King. It is here we see Matthew start to use prophecies from the Old Testament to show how Jesus is fulfilling them all. Matthew highlights here too the momentous events surrounding Jesus’ birth; signs in the heavens, political turmoil and intrigue, and dreams.
First, we see Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, being warned in a dream not to divorce her for her pregnancy. She has not betrayed him and she is still a virgin. She is pregnant as a result of a miracle of God, and her Son will be the Son of God. This, Matthew says, is a fulfillment of a second meaning of the prophecy uttered by Isaiah, that a virgin would be with child and bear a son who would be named “God with us.”
Next, Magi—scholars, astronomers, and some say, king makers—arrive in Jerusalem looking for the new king whose arrival was announced with a new star. Again, a prophecy (from Micah) is referenced to show that the Messianic King would be born in Bethlehem. The Magi do find Jesus there, but do not inform Herod after being warned in a dream.
Finally, a prophecy from Jeremiah comes true when Herod orders all boys born in Bethlehem since the star’s arrival to be executed. Jesus is sparred when Joseph is again warned in a dream. This fulfills other predictions from the Old Testament, that the Messiah would spend time in Egypt.
The life and teachings yet to come in this Gospel are going to do even more to show that this Jesus is the promised Messiah King, but with these brief events surrounding His birth, Matthew makes a strong opening case for his thesis. Jesus is no ordinary man. His arrival was predicted, announced and recognized right at the start as the arrival of the long awaited King.
First, we see Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, being warned in a dream not to divorce her for her pregnancy. She has not betrayed him and she is still a virgin. She is pregnant as a result of a miracle of God, and her Son will be the Son of God. This, Matthew says, is a fulfillment of a second meaning of the prophecy uttered by Isaiah, that a virgin would be with child and bear a son who would be named “God with us.”
Next, Magi—scholars, astronomers, and some say, king makers—arrive in Jerusalem looking for the new king whose arrival was announced with a new star. Again, a prophecy (from Micah) is referenced to show that the Messianic King would be born in Bethlehem. The Magi do find Jesus there, but do not inform Herod after being warned in a dream.
Finally, a prophecy from Jeremiah comes true when Herod orders all boys born in Bethlehem since the star’s arrival to be executed. Jesus is sparred when Joseph is again warned in a dream. This fulfills other predictions from the Old Testament, that the Messiah would spend time in Egypt.
The life and teachings yet to come in this Gospel are going to do even more to show that this Jesus is the promised Messiah King, but with these brief events surrounding His birth, Matthew makes a strong opening case for his thesis. Jesus is no ordinary man. His arrival was predicted, announced and recognized right at the start as the arrival of the long awaited King.
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