A dignified unfolding of Christ’s right to be King begins in chapter 1 with His genealogy from the ancient past, establishing His pedigree. Everything is in order as generation after generation passes until “In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son; made of a woman; made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law; that we might receive the adoption of sons.” History establishes His claims. Angels from heaven are witnesses to His claims as King.
Now comes the witness of the scriptures. The scriptures of truth had prophesied His name. The scriptures had predicted the miracle of His being born of a virgin. Even His name “Jesus” means “Jehovah, the Savior” or “the salvation of Jehovah.” Then comes other prophecies relating to the place of His birth. The Person who was born was prophetically established; now the Place where He was born is prophetically established as a witness to the claim that Jesus is the King.
How much more needs to be said, because the witness of two prophets has been given. There is more. Another prophet wrote in the dark past and declared, Out of Egypt have I called my Son.” How could this be if He is born in Bethlehem? Matthew gives the rest of the story as to how this seemingly insignificant scripture lines up with other prophecies to establish His kingly position.
But there is even more: “He shall be called a Nazarene” is indicated by a number of prophets. Although the exact phrase is not in the prophetic writings; the fact of being “branch, twig, or sprout” is referred to by a number of different prophets. The word is used derogatorily as of one who is despised. Apparently, that is the way people looked at the city of Nazareth. So, the scriptures: not only in one place, but by different approaches, identifies Jesus as the One who has the prophetic right to be the King of the Jews.
We approach such proofs with wonder and worship that such a Person has been so clearly defined in the Word of God, hundreds of years before His coming. How great is our God!
