In this Christmas episode of the Learning Laborers podcast, Denver and Taylor explore the multi-dimensional nature of Jesus' Messiahship through the lens of Matthew 1-2. Drawing on the work of Novenson, they explore the dynamics of Second Temple Messiah figures - some of who claimed messiahship based on birth, others based on merit. All of these figures, though, are compared to David in one way or another.

How does Jesus' birth story fit into this matrix of Messiahship? What makes Jesus the legitimate heir to David's throne? Tune in to to hear a fresh perspective on the Christmas story.

The Grammar of Messianism by Matthew Novenson

The True Meaning of Christmas by Michael Barber

00:00 Introduction to the Learning Laborers Podcast00:44 Christmas Greetings and Traditions02:20 Exploring Jesus as the Messiah06:39 Understanding the Term 'Messiah'10:16 Messianic Expectations in Second Temple Judaism16:57 Legitimizing Messianic Claims26:05 Matthew's Genealogical Claim for Jesus32:59 Jesus as the New David34:08 The Christmas Story and Prophecies35:06 Herod's Threat and Jesus' Early Life38:42 Jesus' Anointing and Baptism47:22 The Vulnerability of Baby Jesus49:26 Concluding Thoughts and Christmas Wishes