In Matthew 1, Jesus is the Jewish (“son of Abraham”) promised One (“son of David”), the fulfillment of that which was prophesied (v. 21, a quote of Isa 7:14), and he comes – “God with us” – to “save his people from their sins.
The birth of Jesus was foretold quietly, without fanfare, by an angel to Joseph in a dream. The conception of the promised one occurs in scandalous circumstances – a young betrothed girl becomes pregnant out of wedlock. Just as there are unlikely figures in the genealogy of Jesus – Tamar, Rahab, David (whose contribution to the line of the Son of David occurs through adultery with “the wife of Uriah” and murder), along with a series of kings, some of whom were of questionable character – so the salvation Jesus brings will be for unlikely people, at least unlikely in the all-too typical religious terms. Jesus will save prostitutes, tax collectors, adulterers, thieves and even politicians. Even people like me. And even you.
The opening chapter of Matthew’s gospel lays out the grand scope of God’s plan to save, and the humble manner in which the Savior comes, and announces that God is with us, just as promised. Jesus’ name is shorthand for the gospel, “for he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus is God, with us.
The opening chapter of Matthew’s gospel lays out the grand scope of God’s plan to save, and the humble manner in which the Savior comes, and announces that God is with us, just as promised. Jesus’ name is shorthand for the gospel, “for he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus is God, with us.
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