Messiah For All

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews?’” —Matthew 2:1–2

 

Have you ever felt like an outsider – odd man out?  This is probably how Matthew, the tax collector, felt when Jesus called him as a disciple.  Tax collectors were despised yet Jesus  said to Matthew, “Follow Me.” (Matthew 9:9).  Matthew is the only Gospel that tells of the visit of the magi, wise men from the east – foreigners, unclean, Gentiles.  Perhaps Matthew could relate to being an outsider in a Jewish world. Matthew ends his Gospel with Jesus’ call for discipleship from “all nations.” (Matthew 28:19). “So Matthew portrays Jesus at the beginning and ending of his Gospel as a universal Messiah for the nations, not just for Jews.” (John Piper, Good News of Great Joy).  Jesus is a unique Messiah – none like Him – a “King and a Promise-Fulfiller.”  God sent Jesus as Salvation for all men; yes, even for those who hate and seek to kill us … even those who crucified Him. The Magi’s Messiah is the Messiah for all!