mrcrowder.com

In his Gospel treatise, Matthew starts with a boring genealogy. Or is it?

You can call me a nerd, but I find the genealogy intriguing and insightful. Here’s why: In a matter of 17 short-but-dense lines of Scripture, Matthew encompasses the Old Testament narrative and the context of the Old Testament covenant theology. 

He places Jesus squarely in the Abrahamic lineage and, perhaps more importantly, establishes Jesus in the line of David—the prototypical King in the nation’s history. 

We start with Abraham and we start with a promise. God will give Abraham a people/nation/Kingdom who will be blessed to be a blessing to the world. Another way of saying it is that they will be the presence of God in the midst of the world. 

They are the conduit for God’s purposes. 

Since David is the prototypical king of this special Kingdom, establishing Jesus in the royal Davidic line is of utmost importance. 

Jesus is now the fulfillment of that Abrahamic calling (covenant). 

So when Jesus shows up and say that the Good News is the Kingdom of God, he’s speaking of something BIG. Because “good news” for his audience, the people of Abraham, would have only come in one form: restoration to the Davidic throne—getting the nation back on track.

Matthew is introducing us to the King.

The Good News is that he is inviting us to participate in this Kingdom.

To save us from the old, broken, tired kingdoms.

And what does it look to participate in this Kingdom?

Matthew, the man introducing us to the King, sets up his Gospel in a way that swiftly gets us there. He paints a vividly haunting, if slightly murky, picture of this Kingdom. This Kingdom which is the rebirth, or reorientation, of the People who are called to be the conduit of God to the rest of the World. That picture:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when other revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew intentionally uses “Kingdom of Heaven” where Mark and Luke use “Kingdom of God.” Heaven is the denoted realm where God’s values reign. The Kingdom of Heaven is the collision of Heaven’s values with earth.

Heaven come to earth.

Participation in this kingdom means forsaking all other kingdoms and seeking the inbreaking of Heaven. The inbreaking of God.

The list from Matthew, known as the Beatitudes, is not a how-to list.

It’s a picture of those who will lead the charge.