Jeremiah 31:31-34, "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
What the Law accomplished in the earth could not change the heart of mankind. Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."
Because man's nature was sinful God gave the Law through His servant Moses to reveal man's unrighteousness compared to the righteousness of God. But because the blood of bulls and goats could not change the nature of man God sent His only begotten Son into the world in order that through Him mankind could be changed. In order that in Him all the Law and the prophets would be fulfilled.
God had promised the nation of Israel a New Covenant. One in which all men would have the spirit of God upon them. A covenant in which no one would forget the Lord but would know Him and His laws would be written on their hearts. This promise would come through the Redeemer called the Anointed One, the Messiah. The bearer of good news that the Kingdom of God had come.
One came in the likeness and the appearance of man. Born of the flesh of the seed of woman so that through His sacrifice all men might receive the promise of adoption as sons. Born of the seed of Abraham in order that all might receive the inheritance of the saints. Born of the lineage of David to establish His throne forever. Born of the Spirit in order that we might receive the promise of the Father, to walk according to His law, and to be set free from the Law of sin and death.
The One who came is the Son of God called Jesus Christ. Because of His sacrifice all those who believe in Him inherit the promises of God through the blood of the New Covenant.
Isaiah 7:13-14, "And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
The book of Matthew is the first gospel of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. It begins bearing witness to His birth through the lineage of David.
Through the pages of this record Matthew reveals to us the One Who was born King of kings, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
