Kingdom Disciples

Matthew portrays Jesus as the Greater Moses, the True Lawgiver who brings the “Law and the Prophets” to their intended fulfillment .  In Matthew’s gospel, at key points, the life of Jesus echoes events from the history of Israel. The point is not that Christ reenacted what Yahweh did in Moses and for Israel, but that he brought what God had begun in the distant past to fruition. He is the Greater Lawgiver who was foreshadowed in the story of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt -[ Photo by Ian Cylkowski on Unsplash ].

The Messiah of Israel submitted to the way of the Cross and summoned his disciples to follow him on the very same path .  One day, Jesus told his disciples that if anyone wished to come after him, “ l et him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me .” This was more than metaphorical or hyperbolic language. It was said at the very time Jesus was on his final journey to Jerusalem where he would demonstrate to the world just what it means to “ deny oneself and take up the cross ” - [ Alpine Path - Photo by Kalen Emsley on Unsplash ].

Jesus is the “word made flesh” in whom the glory, light and life of God are revealed fully, the same “word” by which He created all things   –   John 1:14 .  The Gospel of  John  identifies Jesus as the  Logos , the “ word ” by which God made all things. This is one of the central themes that is explicated in the body of the book. In doing so, John was not engaging in metaphysical speculation but building on traditional ideas from the Hebrew Bible about how Yahweh created the universe and gave life by His spoken word - [ Photo by Anthony Cantin on Unsplash ].

Christ’s submission to a shameful death on the Cross is the paradigm for Christian service and conduct .  Paul presented the self-denying obedience of Jesus as the pattern for Christian conduct towards others, the model that we must emulate if we wish to be his disciple. Moreover, his elevation to reign over all things resulted from his “ obedience even unto death .” His exaltation to God’s “ right hand ” did not precede his death. It followed it - [ Cross Photo by Hugo Fergusson on Unsplash ].