Epiphany According to the Gospel of St. Matthew

Epiphany: The Gospel of St. Matthew
All Saints * Dr. Gregg Strawbridge * January 11, 2009

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” . . . And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. (Matthew 2:1-2, 9-10)

Luke portrays Jesus as a Prophet, enacting the fate of the temple and priesthood, not unlike the great prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Matthew shows Jesus as a Priest, filled with teaching like that of faithful priests. Jesus is shown to be a greater Moses who provides a new Exodus in Himself. Thus, there are five “books”/sermons in Matthew which relate to the five books of Torah, ending with, “When Jesus had finished saying these things . . .” (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; and 26:1). This first Gospel (written) is a “priestly” foundation for the Church and thus is a recap of the history of Israel to fulfill the Law/Prophets (5:17) (outline below). Jesus is called out of Egypt, i.e., apostate Israel. Herod is like a new pharaoh. “Herod” signals that innocents die (ch. 2, 14, Ex. 1:16). The miracles and fulfillments of Matthew demonstrate that Israel is unfit to be the priestly nation, hence 12 miracles in chs. 8-9 “restore” Israel. Jesus is a new David (king) and prophet (Elijah) (12-14). Followers of Jesus are to be a true “kingdom of priests” (Ex. 19:6) cleansing the nations - “Go and make disciples of all nations” (28:20). Yet, this new Torah does not end with the death of Moses (Dt. 34:10), but with the resurrection of One greater than Moses.