Over the past 4 weeks, we’ve studied how Jesus’ genealogy (Matt 1:1-17), birth circumstances (Matt 1:18-2:6), and post-birth socio-political happenings (Matt 2:7-18) tell us something of Christmas’ joy amidst the tragedy of our broken world. This week’s study rounds up the series as we look at the significance of Jesus’ return from Egypt. Our text today is connected to its preceding texts with the word “but”. What changed, and what does it mean for us today? Read on to find out more!
(A) The return of the King: An extension of God’s love and faithfulness to Israel (Matt 2:19-21)
In order to understand why today’s passage begins with “but”, we must understand what happened before it (Matt 2:16-18). From Matt 2:16-18, we learn of Herod’s massacre of the innocents. Infanticide happened. This was intentional, pre-mediated, carefully investigated and well thought out slaughter (Matt 2:6), all part and parcel of Herod’s political power play. Herod felt threatened by baby Jesus. Specifically, he knew that his position as “King of the Jews” - a position conferred to him by the Roman powers-of-the-day - was threatened. The historian Josephus’ records corroborate this account. The historical Herod was a deeply insecure man who killed his wife and son for political expediency.
But in Matt 2:19a, we learn that Herod dies. Herod, the human King who is a foil to Jesus the true king, dies. The vast sum of his life’s work - all that scheming, etc etc - is stopped by the universal human experience of death. Matthew is reminding us here of the difference between human kingship and true kingship. The most powerful of us cannot outmanoeuvre the effects of sin. All will face death. This is something to bear in mind as we think about Herod in contrast with the True King.
There is an underlying problem in Matt 2:19b-20. The True King is not in His kingdom - He’s in Egypt! So the angel, who is an example of divine intervention, tells Joseph to bring his child back. The table below helps us to see the parallels. Consider the significance of the angel’s command in light of Matt 2:15, where God calls His Son out of Egypt:
(B) The return of the King: Despised and rejected by his own (Matt 2:22-23)
Next, we learn that Archelaus’s rule and reach of his jurisdiction is a direct result of Ceasar Augustus' (emperor of Rome) actions. After Herod’s death, his kingdom split 4 ways - 3 to his sister and 1 to Archelaus. This is a reminder that there are limits to what human jurisdiction can do. Human kingship, as seen through Archelaus, is merely a limited product of human power machinations. In comparison to his father Herod, his rule and reach also happened to be smaller, and it did not include Nazareth of Galilee. Consequently, Jesus could be safely out of reach of Archelaus harsh rule.
What is so significant about Nazareth? One option revolves around how Nazareth was the hometown of Mary and Joseph. They lived there before moving to Bethlehem. As we think about why Jesus was to fulfill prophecies about being a Nazarene, remember that it did not just concern where he was brought up, but also included the choosing of his parents and his heritage.
A second option is that Matthew uses the word Nazarene in reference to a person who is “despised and rejected.” In the first century, Nazareth was a small town about 55 miles north of Jerusalem, and it had a negative reputation among the Jews. Galilee was generally looked down upon by Judeans, and Nazareth of Galilee was especially despised (cf. John 1:46). If this was Matthew’s emphasis, the prophecies Matthew had in mind could include these two passages concerning the Messiah:
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." (John 1:45)
“For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3)
When Matthew says, that the prophecies were “fulfilled,” he meant that the predictions of the prophets that the Messiah would be of a low and despised condition and would be rejected were fully accomplished in Jesus’ status as an inhabitant of Nazareth. Jesus not only identified with humanity by coming into our world, He also identified with the lowest of us. He was raised in obscurity, in a place where no one esteemed to be great, and all of this was part of God’s plan.
What does the fulfillment of this prophecy mean for you today?
You may feel like you are not from anywhere significant. It can often feel that way in Singapore where coming from a brand name school and working in a high flying jobs are necessary badges of achievement. You might not even be liked by your peers or people around you because of your faith in Jesus. Matthew is telling you here that Jesus knows exactly what that feels like. Or perhaps you might be someone serving faithfully in your church, but have not been receiving much encouragement or guidance. Maybe you’re even feeling ridiculed by those you are serving. Matthew is telling you tonight that Jesus knows what that feels like.
Friends, remember that we have a King that has drawn close to us and identifies with us. He laid down his kingly identity to take on the sins committed by you and me. We now no longer need to live under slavery to our sin. The struggle to idolize acceptance by others is still there, the struggle to react in anger is still there but we are no longer ruled by it! Will you let Christ Rule in your heart today?
(C) The return of the King: Christ’s final return to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rv 19:11-16)
At the end of every year, Japan picks a Kanji character as their character of the year - a character meant to recap the past 12 months. This year, it was the character that meant “disaster”. Japan went through earthquakes, floods, typhoons, and heat waves that disrupted the life of a nation.
The fact that everyone agreed on “disaster” reminds us about our reality. This is the reality of life in a fallen world, where social-relational, natural, financial, and international catastrophes run rampant. Many respond to these disasters through art. But what is the power of art? For many, it gives hope, and a mode of expression. Still, they are only temporal reprises. There is 1 point to note: Christmas takes place in a world that is hurting, is in pain, and is lost in that pain. We often forget that the world itself is groaning in its experience of sin. Remember that the world is a broken place. As we think about the return of the King, remember that the King is returning to a world that so desperately needs Him. He came, first, as a servant King. Now see Rev 19:11-16 to see what His second coming will be like.
This is a Jesus who looks drastically different. Consider the following 7 characteristics that can be picked out from the passage:
1) Jesus comes on a white horse, which is a symbol of victory, and is called “Faithful and True”.
2) Jesus judges and makes war. He is not coming again as a babe in meekness and vulnerability, but as a Warrior-Judge in power and might.
3) Jesus has a name that no one knows but himself. There are aspects of God that are just beyond us that we will not be able to understand.
4) Jesus is called the “Word of God”. All the more impetus to know Him rightly now through the Word.
5) Jesus will not come back as one despised and rejected, but will come back in a regal army.
6) The nature of Jesus' rule and reign is sure and decisive.
7) The judgement that Jesus will bring is terrifying, for He is the True King of kings and Lord of lords.
These are glimpses of wrath and righteous rule by God, who comes and carries out divine judgment. How are we honouring and fearing God today? This is the God with a name that we don’t even know how to utter; the God of war who will come to completely annihilate sin and all who oppose Him. How do we honour and reverence Him? How do we give Him His due praise? He is the King of all kings, Lord of all lords. How does your private devotion of Him look like? And how do we think about those who don’t know Him? If this God is a God of wrath who treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God, how do we interact with people who don’t know who He is?
As we round up our Advent season, let us always bear in mind that we are waiting for the second Advent. It will be a day of ultimate restoration. It will also be a day of terrible judgment. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!