January 6, Epiphany (Matthew 2:1-12)

Though still an infant, Matthew’s Jesus is Israel’s king. Matthew’s genealogy has hinted in this direction by naming David and his descendants rulers of Israel and then Judah until the exile. But the story of the Magi makes this point explicit. Not only is Jesus “King of the Jews,” he is the savior of all people.

All four Gospels address Jesus’ royal identity, but Matthew stresses kings and their behavior more than the others do. When Jesus rides into Jerusalem, Matthew (like John) stops to quote Zechariah: “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you” (21:5). An unidentified “someone” hosts Luke’s banquet parable (14:15–24); a king hosts Matthew’s version (22:1–14). Only Matthew relates the parable of the sheep and the goats, in which a king passes judgment over the nations (25:31–46). Matthew’s emphasis on Jesus as king is hardly overwhelming, but it is noticeable.

The kingdom of God is one of Jesus’ primary metaphors, but we know its limitations. Kings and queens are hard to find these days. Kingdom suggests a government with territory and borders. And the kingdom image connotes rule by domination, reeking of both hierarchy and patriarchy. None of these associations comport with Jesus’ ministry.