This Child was the King of the Jews

That the birth of Jesus Christ was special is obvious. But I wonder if we really, truly, take time to consider what was so special about it? To understand the importance of the birth of Christ we must understand who He was.

The theme of Matthew's gospel is that of the Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus is presented in this gospel as the King of the Jews. This gospel was written for a Jewish audience that the Jews might understand that Jesus was the promised Messiah and that they might place their trust in Him for salvation. The proof of Jesus' Messiahship was in the fact that He was the rightful king of the Jews. Matthew gives 3 points which prove that Jesus was, at His birth, the King of the Jews.

Interrogative: How can we be certain that Jesus Christ was born King of the Jews?

Proposition: The Bible offers simple proof of Who Jesus was from His birth…

TS: The Bible proves Jesus’ right to the throne by…

1. Tracing His lineage from Abraham vv. 1-2.

To be a Jew you must be able to prove you were of Abraham's line

Jesus would not have been qualified to be king of the Jews if He were the child of Jewish proselytes

A proselyte was one who was Gentile born and had converted Judaism

To be king of the Jews, you had to have been born a Jew of one of the twelve tribes of Israel

From the beginning of his gospel, Matthew makes it clear that Jesus was a proper Jew!

Matthew 1:1

Notice in this verse the way Matthew refers to both David and Abraham?

That is to let his readers know that Jesus is from both of these great men

This is the reason Matthew began His account with a genealogy

Jesus was indisputably of the line of Abraham

The Holy Spirit wanted to leave a lasting record that Jesus was the promised Messiah!

Not only was His lineage traced through Abraham, but note also...

2. His lineage was traced from David vv. 1;6-16

To be King of the Jews you must be of the line of David

It wasn't enough simply to be a Jew, you must be of that kingly line

It’s interesting, to me at least, that there is not a single Scriptural evidence that the Jews ever denied Jesus’ right to the throne.

Why?

Because they couldn’t deny it! They had checked His birth record!

I can almost see those conniving Jewish leaders now, heading down to the temple to check the birth records of Jesus!

They went their looking to discredit His claim, but they walked away very disappointed!

Jesus was indisputably of the line of David

According to both Matthew and Luke, both Joseph and Mary were of the line of David

Joseph through Solomon

Mary through Nathan

Here is an interesting fact...

Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba

He had a good run, but became so carnal that he lost sight of what was important

He had a son Jehoiachin whose descendants were barred from the throne

By all accounts, Joseph and all his descendants were disqualified from serving as king

That explains why he was serving in Nazareth as a carpenter

Satan thought he had won, but...

There was another child born to David and Bathsheba named, Nathan!

It would be through Nathan that God would preserve the kingly line

And it was through Nathan that Mary would come, and through Mary, Jesus’ right to the throne would be preserved!

This is why we read these words in Matthew 1:16

In all the names listed in this passage all except one are referred to has having been begotten through their father except One!

That One is Jesus! He was not born of the line of Solomon, but of Nathan, not through Joseph, but through Mary!

What an amazing God we serve who could do all of that! There is one more proof I want to share regarding Jesus right to the throne...

3. His birth was marked by the homage of Kings 2:1-12

The Wise men as they're called came seeking “He that is born king of the Jews”. Notice of these kings 3 important traits:

Their faith vv. 1-8

How did these men know to seek for Jesus?

The Bible!

These were Magi from Babylon, holy men taught after the manner of Daniel!

I believe they had read and studied the book of Daniel, esp. 9:24-26 that gave details on how long from the time of Israel's release from captivity until Messiah was to come!

Daniel 9:24–26 KJV 1900

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

2. Worship vv. 9-11

Once the star appeared again, after they departed Herod's palace they followed it straight to Bethlehem

Notice the star didn't lead them to Jerusalem,

it merely appeared in their homeland to announce His arrival,

they went to Jerusalem to the palace looking for the king The star reappeared once they left Herod's presence

When they found the child (He was 2 years old now) they worshiped Him, that is what their gifts signified

Gold – wealth and power of a king

Frankincense – worship and praise for God

Myrrh – bitterness and suffering of the Savior

3. Obedience v.12 Matthew 2:12

Matthew 2:12 KJV 1900

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

They went home another way

When you meet Jesus, you leave another way!

Conclusion: Church, I believe that is the ultimate evidence that someone has been with Jesus, that they have changed. Let me ask you right now, has their been a change in you since you met Jesus?

Right now, right where you are sitting you can put your trust in Jesus. He loves you, He died for you, He rose again from the grave for you, and all you have to do is believe Him, trust Him, call on Him and He will save you.