Since our preaching series at Littleton, called “Follow,” is drawn from Matthew, I would like to continue some posts on this Gospel.
A central question for Matthew is, “Who is Jesus?” In this post, I want to briefly look at an answer Matthew gives in chapter 2, and beyond. In the coming of the Magi, Matthew gives us two answers. The first is obvious. The Magi come, led by a “star sign,” to find the one born, King of the Jews. Jesus is that King. Matthew began that theme in chapter one (see last week’s post) with the title Messiah. The theme that Jesus is the Divine King runs through the end of the Gospel, with Jesus’ trial having the central issue, the claim that Jesus is the King of the Jews. The resurrection answers that question with a resounding, “Yes!”
The rest of Matthew 2 affirms another title and role for Jesus. It is not explicitly stated, as is His Kingly title, but is seen through strong allusions to the story of Moses, especially his birth. Here, the part of the Pharaoh is played by Herod, who, like that Pharaoh, had young boys slaughtered. As Moses was spared, so was Jesus. Warned by a dream, the Holy Family flees. And where do they go? They go to Egypt. After Herod died, the family returned, and Matthew sees in this a fulfillment of Hosea 11:1b, “…out of Egypt I called my son.”
Matthew’s citation has caused a lot of head scratching from interpreters, since Hosea 11:1 is not a predictive prophecy at all, but a historical reminiscence. Matthew knows that. But for Matthew it points to Jesus as the beloved Son, who, unlike the nation of Israel, is True Israel personified. It also ties Jesus to the Exodus, and to Moses.
Why the interest in tying this Heir of David to Moses, who was from the tribe of Levi, not Judah? Here is the answer from Deuteronomy 18:
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you [Moses] from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. (NIV)
Israel waited for this prophet, and Matthew tells them, “You need wait no longer.” Matthew further solidifies this role of Moses, the Lawgiver, fulfilled in Jesus, in chapters 5-7. As Moses went up the mountain to receive the Law, Jesus went up a mountain side to interpret the Law and fulfill it.
Jesus is Israel’s true King, greatest Prophet, and the fulfillment of her Law. He is all that and more. Stay tuned.
Tim Kelley