Day 228 – Matthew: Birth and preparation of Jesus, the King
“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 NLT
Read Matthew 1:1 to Matthew 4:11
Through the genealogical tree Matthew sketched, he showed Jesus as a descendant of King David. He goes on to show that God did not send Jesus to be an earthly king, but a heavenly one. Jesus is revealed as the King of kings. His miraculous birth, life, teachings, miracles, and triumph over death reveal His true identity. One that no human being could ever accomplish. Jesus cannot be equated with any person or power. He is the supreme ruler of time and eternity, heaven and earth, humans and angels.
As the Messiah, the one the Jews had waited for to deliver them from Roman oppression. Yet, tragically, they didn’t recognise Him when he came because His kingship was not what they expected. The true purpose of God’s anointed deliverer was to die for all people to free them from sin’s oppression.
Because Jesus was sent by God, we can trust Him with our lives. He did give His for ours. To acknowledge him and give ourselves to Him is worth all that we are and everything we have because He came to be our Saviour.
Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for being the Messiah prophesied years earlier and that You came to be the Saviour of the world and not just a few. Thank You, that we can study Your life and in doing so build a relationship with You. Amen.
