King’s sit on thrones in palaces.
King’s wear royal clothes and crowns.
Kings enjoy the best things the world has to offer.
King’s make laws and command kingdoms.
King’s don’t live and work among their people.
The Gospel of Matthew is about a King—a different sort of king. His family tree is traced back to the great king David, but he is born to an unknown young couple. Rather than a palace, he has nowhere to call home. He wears a crown, but it is made of thorns. He commands obedience, a loving obedience that comes from the heart.
Matthew’s King doesn’t sit on a throne surrounded by a royal court; he spends time with sinners and outcasts. Matthew wants his readers to know one thing above all: Jesus is King. He is the king who guides his people like a shepherd into his kingdom. He forgives them, offers rest to their souls, and promises never to leave them. Though he calls his people to follow him in suffering and the cross, he promises that this is the way to eternal life.
Matthew also shows that Jesus is King through his actions. Storms are silenced by his voice. Evil spirits are cast out with a word. The sick are healed by his touch.
The day is coming when he’ll return revealed in all his power and glory—the reigning and ruling, eternal King. Matthew wants his readers to know, follow, and be like the King.
I want to know this King, how about you? Let’s discover him together through Matthew.
FOLLOW THE KING is a study guide of 111 devotionals through the Gospel of Matthew.