By Danny Mann If you're looking for a concise theme to Matthew’s Gospel, it would have to be “The Gospel of the Kingdom.” Matthew’s message is quite clear - the Good News message of the Kingdom has stepped out of the shadows and now is in plain view. But it wasn’t the kingdom the Jews were looking for. They were looking for an earthly king. This is why the Jews flocked to Jesus on Palm Sunday. Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem is immersed in imagery of the Messianic king. The Jews wanted freedom from the Romans. They wanted a King on a throne in Jerusalem. They wanted their own kingdom. Which is why this message of the Kingdom of Heaven is so important. Before Israel ever had a king, they were meant to view God as their king. They were meant to follow - His rule and pledge their allegiance to Him and to His purposes. Israel rejected God when they demanded to have a king like their surrounding nations (1 Samuel 8). Though they had moments of faithfulness and glimmers of hope, Israel never fully embraced what it meant to be God’s kingdom. When you jump forward to the New Testament, Israel was still stuck in the rut of an earthly kingdom. However, God had greater plans. God’s plans were … [Read more...]