Matthew 1:1 and 2:2 The book of the generations of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham…Where is he that is born King of the Jews
Every year about this time there are people who have objections to Christmas and to the symbols of Christmas. Right now in 2022, there is a library in Massachusetts that objected to putting up a Christmas tree. In Illinois, the state house has a Christmas tree, a menorah, and a display from the Satanists in the area. My point here is not political, my point is a question. Do people object to the story of Christmas or do they object to the Person of Christmas? Better yet, do they deny the story of Christmas or do they deny the Person of Christmas?
Here is what I mean. Ninety years ago, someone may have said “Well, I don’t believe there is a God. I don’t think there ever was a Jesus of Nazareth.” Today, that is really not an objection that can even plausibly be made. There was a Jesus. Everyone knows that. There may be Jesus deniers, just as there are people who deny other historical facts, but there are fewer and fewer of those. So, people are not objecting to the story of Christmas so much as they are to the Person of Christmas.
There is both the historical fact of Jesus and then there is the present reality of Jesus. Both are one in the same, but they are two sides of the same coin. Matthew presents both sides of that coin. In chapter 1 you are introduced to a historical Jesus. Verse 1 says, “The book of the generations of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Later, Jesus is shown to be related to King David. So, Jesus was Jewish born. That is quite obvious.
What is also obvious from Matthew’s account is the claim that He was born king. When the wise men came seeking for the Christ child, they said, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” Now, King Charles was not born King Charles. He has prepared his entire life for a role that I wondered if he would ever play. I wondered if he would ever go from Prince Charles to King Charles. But, Jesus of Nazareth was born king.
So, there is both the historical fact and the supernatural claim found here. In Matthew 1:21 it says that Mary would “bring forth a son, and…shalt call his name Jesus.” A few verses later it says that His name would be “Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” In other words, Jesus is the Son of God. That is quite a claim on its own. More than that He is God the Son. So, where did Jesus come from? Someone says, “Bethlehem.” The answer is Bethlehem and Heaven. When was Jesus? Someone says, “At Christmastime.” The bigger fact is He is everlasting. Who is this Jesus of Nazareth? Someone may venture to say that He is the Son of God, and Matthew would reply that He is also God the Son. That is the sum and substance of what the gospels, as well as the totality of Scripture teach.
So, what are people denying? They are not denying the story of Jesus. They are denying the present Jesus. It is not accidental that Matthew 1:1 is the very first verse about the historic reality of Jesus of Nazareth and that in the very last verse of Matthew, Jesus, speaking to His disciples before He is ascended to Heaven, says “Lo, I am with you alway.” What does that mean? It continues, “Even unto the end of the world.” So, Jesus is Emmanuel, literally God with us, and that means He is not just an historical figure from back then, He is a living reality right now. He says, “I am with you always as Emmanuel.”
The point is when you celebrate the baby, don’t forget the king. Jesus was born, that is historical, but He is alive, that is factual. If you meet a stranger or friend today, “Merry Christmas” is not a club to beat them over the head. It is a wish, a hope, goodwill, good news, the gospel; it is a Person, not only stuck back there in ancient times but a living Savior, a current reality. When you celebrate the baby, don’t forget the King. He was born King. He is Emmanuel, God with us. “I am with you alway,” Jesus says.
Which is harder for people in your life to deny? Is it the historical reality of Jesus or the current reality of Jesus? Perhaps you are having a discussion at Christmas. People may get into the weeds of whether there was even a Jesus of Nazareth, but probably not because that is not really doubted these days. What is doubted and has always been doubted ever since He was born is Who Jesus is. He is not just from Bethlehem; He is from Heaven. He is not stuck in Christmas; He is the everlasting Father. He is not merely the child of Mary; He is the Son of God and God the Son. He is not merely historic; He is present.
So, when Jesus said in the last verses of Matthew, “I am with you alway,” He is talking about His current reality. People may quibble with you about historic Jesus, but the real question is can they quibble with you about the reality of Jesus in your life today? Jesus’ love, power, the message that Jesus is real and palpable is that which saves. As you go through this Christmas season, it may be well to know about the historical Jesus, but what is very important today is people knowing in you the present reality of Jesus today.