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Let us now pass on from the O.T. to the additional evidence which the words of the
Lord Jesus (spoken during His ministry in the hearing of the apostles, and intended for
their instruction) constitute.
The Lord's own teaching concerning the restoration of
the kingdom to Israel.
The genealogy with which the Gospel according to Matthew opens establishes the fact
that Christ is the Son of David and Heir to his throne. The annunciation of Gabriel to
Mary is occupied mainly with the kingly aspect of the incarnation:--
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall
give unto Him the THRONE of His father DAVID: and He shall reign over the house of
Jacob for the ages; and of His kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1: 32, 33).
The prophecy of Zacharias at the birth of John the Baptist, speaks of deliverance from
the hand of enemies, and the fulfillment of covenant and oath sworn to Abraham and the
fathers (Luke 1: 68- 79).
The birthplace, Bethlehem, is chiefly associated with kingship:--
"Where is He that is born King of the Jews? . . . . . In Bethlehem of Judæa; for thus it
is written by the prophet, And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least
among the princes of Juda, for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule My
people Israel" (Matt. 2: 2-6).
The opening words of the Lord's ministry announce the kingdom:--
"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the
GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and saying (1) The time is fulfilled (hence
the kingdom is that of O.T. prophecy), (2) the kingdom of God has come nigh (the King
being present); and (3) Repent ye, and believe the good tidings" (the condition)
(Mark 1: 14, 15).
John the Baptist opened his ministry to Israel with the call to repent (Matt. 3:). The
Lord opened His ministry to Israel with the call to repent (Matt. 4: 17). Peter reopened
the ministry to Israel with the call to repent (Acts 2: 38, 3: 19).
The miracles which the Lord wrought immediately following His opening words were
with the confessed object of bringing Israel to repentance, and thereby instituting the
kingdom:--
"Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done,
because they repented not . . . . . Tyre and Sidon would have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes" (Matt. 11: 20, 21).
The parables which immediately follow the Lord's rejection introduce the theme of
the restoration. Matt. 12: records the rejection of Christ by Israel; Matt. 13: records
the first parables. These parables were uttered because:--