The Birth of a King

Introduction

The topic for tonight’s lesson seems to be too befitting of the season we are in, and some will conclude that such a lesson is a “Christmas” message. I will not suggest that the current festivities of the year are not contributing to my desire to speak on the birth of Jesus Christ. However, more pressing is the fact that the birth of Jesus Christ is often looked at from an individual perspective, that one can hardly see the universal revolution of which the biblical narrative is concerned. Essentially, the message about Christ tells the story about the birth of a King, and not simply the birth of a Savior.

A linear reading of any one gospel may contribute to this partial understanding of Jesus’ birth. For instance, if we were to look at the gospel of Luke, there’s not one mention of Jesus being born a king. Rather the emphasis is on the child who is Savior (Luke 2:11). And due to western Christianity’s affinity towards the message of a Savior who comes to rid us of our penalty, sin, and judgment, we forget to emphasize the other side of the story—the story about a child who is “born, King.”

During this holiday season, I want to tell that story. I want to remind you that the Savior, Jesus Christ, is also King. And if He is King, this means there’s a revolutionary act occuring that establishes some rule and authority through the personhood of Jesus Christ.

I love the Matthew’s gospel reads. It says He [Jesus] was born King (Matthew 2:2). That is to say, He was not appointed King. Rather, He was King from the moment He was born. This also reveals that Jesus’s kingship is not appointed by men. Rather, His right and basis of rule is given from above. Matthew wants the reader to understand the divine rule of Jesus who’s authority is given to Him from heaven. Charles Spurgeon said,

300 Quotations and Prayers for Christmas Jesus Was Born that He Might Be a King

When you hear the bells ringing out at Christmas, think of the reason why Jesus was born. Dream not that He came to load your tables and fill your cups, but in your mirth look higher than all earth-born things. When you hear that in certain churches there are pompous celebrations and ecclesiastical displays, think not for this purpose was Jesus born. No, but look within your hearts, and say, for this purpose was He born: that He might be a King, that He might rule through the truth in the souls of a people who are by grace made to love the truth of God.

When Matthew uses the word King, He means, Jesus is the sovereign ruler of a particular kingdom. He was born as such. Furthermore, He is the One that has the ability to convey this authority to a successor. In this definition, we find the outstanding point: Jesus is the King who has the ability to make others kings and queens. That is, His authority can be passed on to others for them to exercise. When Matthew speaks of Jesus’s birth, he is not simply looking for a Savior. Rather, He is speaking of the One who is able to empower others to be the best leaders and change agents in God’s creation. Jesus does this by shepherding or providing guidance, help, and care (Matthew 2:6).

The King’s Story within the Biblical Story

Now, the question we should be asking is, why is Matthew concerned with telling the story of a King? Well, my simple answer to this is Luke’s story of a Savior is relevant to future events. Matthew’s story of a King is relevant to the current situation of those who witnessed Jesus’s actual birth/ entrance into the world.

The immediate audience is concerned about their position within the world, and with Daniel’s prophecies fresh on their brains, they are concerned with exile (see Daniel 9:1-3, 20-24). Take for instance Nehemiah 9:36-37

Nehemiah 9:36–37 CSB

36 Here we are today, slaves in the land you gave our ancestors so that they could enjoy its fruit and its goodness. Here we are—slaves in it! 37 Its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have set over us, because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.

This passage reflects the ongoing thoughts of the nation of Israel, even up until the time of Jesus’s coming. The nation of Israel had endured what N.T. Wright calls, “seventy weeks of years” or seventy times seven years. Meanwhile, they are also thinking of the consoling prophecies of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah.

Friends, I cannot stress this enough. The nation of Israel was not looking for Savior to take them to heaven. They were looking for a Savior-King to save them from bondage and establish His kingdom. To deliver them without establishing the kingdom would have only fulfilled half of the job, leaving a very important, if not the most important, part undone.

Every Jew during the times of Jesus would have been asking, “When will the exile end and the kingdom be established?” Matthew’s response was, “It’s beginning right now with the birth of the son of David, Jesus Christ.” Notice, the chronology that begins the book in chapter 1, and notice his use of Old Testament prophecy, such as Micah 5:2 in chapter 2.

Now, the important takeaway for tonight’s lesson is: God’s kingdom was intended to establish God’s rule on earth as it is in heaven. The establishment of this kingdom had three focuses: gather, equip, and send.

The Three Focuses of the Kingdom

Gather (Matthew 4:18-25)

Jesus gathered individuals unto Himself. Now, what were His methods? Throughout the gospels, we see that Jesus called and attracted. That is, some were called by name—sought after. Others witnessed the appealing ministry of Jesus Christ and decided to follow Him. We see both examples in Matthew 4:18-25.

What’s most interesting is those who were attracted were so enticed because of their freedom from things that had bound them. You have the sick, diseased, demon-possessed, paralytic, and other of various conditions finding deliverance. Somehow, if we are to have an attractive ministry, we must have something that will free the oppress.

Equip (Matthew 5-7)

The entire ministry of Jesus is filled with teaching that equips those who followed. In fact, the Sermon on the Mount is an example of Jesus equipping those who would follow Him for life in the kingdom of God.

Send (Matthew 28:16-20)

Notice, at the end of Jesus’s story is the act of sending. He prepared the disciples for this moment and sends them off into the world to teach the kingdom principles they had been taught.

The point is, if we are simply looking for a Savior who will get us out of the world, we ignore our responsibility of changing the world while in it. God did not call us simply to go to heaven. He called us to stay in the world and serve as its change agents. John 17:15

John 17:15 CSB

15 I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

If we are to think about this time of reflection upon the birth of Jesus, we should think about the fact that God has called us to celebrate the birth of the King who is King of kings and Lord of lords. Our responsibility is to carry the kingdom mandate throughout the entire world for the glory of God and testimony of Jesus Christ.