The King Has Come

Gospel Light Church

The Gospel of Matthew

March 1st, 2026

The King Has Come

Matthew 1:1

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

After 400 years of silence, God speaks again—and when He does, He announces a King.

Matthew

 Also called Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27)

 Tax collector in Capernaum (Matthew 9:9)

 Tax collectors were widely disliked because they worked for Rome and were often associated with corruption.

 Jesus simply said, “Follow me,” and Matthew immediately left his booth and followed Him (Matt. 9:9).

1. WHY MATTHEW?

Matthew is not a random starting point—it is a bridge.

• It connects Old Testament promise – New Testament fulfillment
• It presents Jesus as:
  • The promised Messiah
  • The Son of David (King)
  • The true Israel
  • The authoritative Teacher

Matthew quotes or alludes to the Old Testament more than 60 times:

• he wants us to see that Jesus is not new; He is long-awaited.

Matthew’s message in one sentence: Everything God promised—He has kept.

2. THE 400 YEARS OF SILENCE

“When God Seems Silent”

• The Old Testament ends with Malachi (c. 430 BC)
• The New Testament begins with Matthew (c. AD 30)
• Between them: 400 years
• No prophet
• No Scripture
• No direct word from the Lord

This period is often called the Intertestamental Period or the Silent Years.

But silent does not mean inactive.

**********What Happened During the Silence?***********

Even when God was not speaking through prophets, He was still working through history.

1. Politically

• Persia to Greece to Rome
• Alexander the Great spreads Greek language (Koine Greek)
• Rome builds roads and establishes order

The Result: The gospel will later spread rapidly

1. Religiously

• Synagogues develop (local teaching centers)
• Rabbis rise as teachers of the Law
• Messianic expectation intensifies

The Result: People are longing for deliverance

1. Spiritually

• Faith becomes formal for many
• Legalism increases
• The Pharisees and Sadducees emerge

The Result: A people hungry—but confused—about God

The Ache of Waiting

Imagine generations praying:

• “Where is the promise?”
• “Where is the Messiah?”
• “Has God forgotten us?”

This is not just history—it’s human experience.

Silence tests faith.
Waiting refines hope.

3. WHY THE SILENCE MATTERED

Paul explains it this way:

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…” (Galatians 4:4)

Not late.
Not early.
Right on time.

The silence created:

• Expectation
• Tension
• Longing
• Readiness

God was setting the stage for the clearest revelation He would ever give—His Son.

4. “THE BOOK OF THE GENEALOGY…”

God Breaks the Silence

Matthew does not begin with a sermon.
He begins with a family record.

Why?

Because God is saying:

This Jesus is not an interruption—He is the continuation.

• Son of Abraham → fulfillment of the covenant promise
• Son of David → rightful King
• Jesus Christ → Savior and Messiah

Matthew’s opening line is a thunderclap after silence.

The King has come.
The promises are alive.
The story is moving again.

5. WHAT MATTHEW WILL SHOW US

• A King with authority (Sermon on the Mount)
• A King with compassion (miracles and mercy)
• A King rejected by His own
• A King who gives His life
• A King who rises
• A King who sends His people on mission

Matthew ends where it all points:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:18–19)