The Jewish people were waiting for a Messiah, a savior promised by God in the Old Testament to deliver them and establish God’s kingdom. Matthew, in his Gospel, presents Jesus as this long-awaited Messiah. He emphasizes that Jesus fulfilled many prophecies from the Old Testament, proving that He was the one sent by God to save His people.
1. The Genealogy of Jesus: A Link to the Promised Messiah
Matthew begins his Gospel with a genealogy that traces Jesus’ lineage back to King David and Abraham (Matthew 1:1-17). This is important because the Messiah was prophesied to come from the line of David, as promised in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. By showing that Jesus is a descendant of David, Matthew connects Jesus to the promise of a kingly Messiah, fulfilling God’s covenant with David and Abraham.
Lesson: Jesus’ genealogy demonstrates that He is the rightful heir to the promises of the Messiah, rooted in God’s covenant with Israel.
2. Fulfillment of Prophecies in Jesus’ Birth
Matthew highlights how events surrounding Jesus’ birth fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. For instance, the virgin birth of Jesus fulfills Isaiah 7:14, which says, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (Matthew 1:22-23). Also, when Jesus’ family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, it fulfilled Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Matthew 2:15). These fulfillments show that Jesus’ arrival was part of God’s plan from the beginning.
Lesson: The details of Jesus’ birth and early life show that He was fulfilling prophecies, proving He is the Messiah foretold by the prophets.
3. The Role of Jesus as the Suffering Servant
While the Jews expected a conquering king, Matthew shows that Jesus came as the suffering servant, fulfilling prophecies like those in Isaiah 53. Jesus’ mission was not just to be a political leader but to suffer and die for the sins of humanity. This is most evident in Jesus’ crucifixion, which fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s suffering for the sake of others (Matthew 27:35, 46).
Lesson: Jesus’ role as the Messiah included suffering and sacrifice, fulfilling God’s plan to redeem humanity through His death.
4. Prophecy Fulfillment in Jesus’ Ministry
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, Matthew frequently points out how Jesus’ actions fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. For example, Jesus healing the sick and casting out demons fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah bearing the burdens of the people (Matthew 8:17, quoting Isaiah 53:4). Matthew also refers to Zechariah’s prophecy when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, symbolizing peace and humility (Matthew 21:4-5, quoting Zechariah 9:9).
Lesson: Jesus’ miracles and teachings were not just displays of power but fulfilled prophecies that confirmed His identity as the Messiah.
5. Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection: The Ultimate Proof
The final proof of Jesus’ Messiahship in Matthew’s Gospel is His death and resurrection. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus’ death on the cross was in fulfillment of the Scriptures, as the Messiah was meant to suffer for the sins of the world. After His resurrection, Jesus declared that “all authority in heaven and on earth” had been given to Him (Matthew 28:18), confirming that He was indeed the Messiah, sent by God to save humanity and establish His eternal kingdom.
Lesson: Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate sign of His Messiahship, proving that He defeated sin and death and reigns as the promised Savior.
Key Lessons from “The Messiahship of Jesus”:
- Jesus’ genealogy connects Him to the promises of the Messiah, showing that He is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David and Abraham.
- The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus’ birth, life, and ministry demonstrates that He is the Messiah foretold by the prophets.
- Jesus came as a suffering servant, fulfilling prophecies that the Messiah would not only be a king but would also suffer and die for the sins of humanity.
- Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and actions were fulfillments of prophecy, revealing His identity as the promised Savior.
- The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof that He is the Messiah, having defeated death and establishing His authority as King and Savior.
The Messiahship of Jesus is a central theme in the Gospel of Matthew, which portrays Him as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Matthew presents Jesus not only as a kingly figure but also as the suffering servant who came to save His people from their sins. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus proved that He was the Messiah, fulfilling God’s plan of redemption for all people.
