I am a Jesus pusher!!! Matthew is a Jesus pusher!!! His writing has a basic theme that we cannot disregard. Every passage must be interpreted in light of this thrust. The Gospel of Matthew is a focus on the Jews. Matthew desperately wants to convince them that Jesus is the Kingly Messiah. This explains the opening genealogy of his book (Matthew 1:1-17). Jesus is in the lineage of King David; He fulfills God’s promise to King David! Matthew presents the birth of Jesus as a declaration of His Kingship. Jesus is conceived of the Holy Spirit; He is born of a virgin (Matthew 1:20). The wise men seek the new King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). The arrival of the new King creates incredible insecurity in Herod. He calls for the murder of all baby boys under the age of two in Bethlehem and the surrounding districts (Matthew 2:16).
John the Baptist heralds this new King (Matthew 3:1). The anointing of the Holy Spirit takes place as God, the Father, places His approval on His Son, the new King (Matthew 3:16-17). This new King battles Satan, and wins through the sourcing of the Spirit (Matthew 4:1-11). This King leads the Kingdom of Heaven as it conquers demonic territory (Matthew 4:23). The introductory language of the Sermon on the Mount emphasizes this reality. Jesus was seated on a mountain (Matthew 5:1). He sits like a king on his throne. His disciples came to Him (Matthew 5:1). They approach Him like subjects in a royal court. Then He opened His mouth and taught them (Matthew 5:2). He is the King delivering his inaugural address. It is the great “Manifesto of the Kingdom of Heaven.” As a Jesus pusher, I am honoring this King!!!