When our son was born, I was immediately conscious that God caused him to grow in my wife’s womb. Whilst I had seen scans from the outside and was able to observe his development, it was astoundingly obvious, when he was born that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Also, not only are we are created by God; He is upholding the universe and everything in it. In short, I was profoundly overwhelmed by the miracle of birth.
There are exceptional births in the Scriptures, but the birth of Messiah was extraordinary. Sarah was well beyond child-bearing age, yet the Lord opened her womb and she bore Issac. Isaac himself, pleaded for Rebekah, the Lord granted that plea and she bore Isaac and Jacob. Elizabeth was barren and of a great age, yet she bore John, who would point people to the Saviour. But that which was born of Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit, reflecting His deity and humanity.
Jesus the Prince of glory, was a Man who was born to die. When we think of the crib we must also think of the crucifixion. Yeshua had a miraculous birth and He was born to deliver us and save us from our sin. Our Saviour was born to reconcile man to God, since He is a holy God. As Wesley wrote, ‘Born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.’
Before we consider the miraculous birth any further, it is necessary to comprehend His heritage and ancestry. In the last few decades there has been a surge of interest in ancestry, family trees and identity. This is reflected in bookshops, magazines devoted to this subject, television programmes, internet searches, DNA testing and analysis in our search for meaning and identity. The coming Messiah who would reconcile sinners to God, had to be the Son of David and Son of Abraham, which is rooted in the Davidic and Abrahamic Covenants. In the first verse of the Brit Hadasha (New Testament) it is evident that Jesus the Messiah is the Son of David and Abraham and that point is accentuated in Matthew 1:17.
Matthew’s Gospel was written by a Jewish author about a Jewish Messiah who is the King of the Jews. It shows how Scripture was fulfilled, quotes the Tanakh (Old Testament) over 60 times, proving that Jesus is the Messiah. This passage evidences Joseph’s genealogy, whereas Luke’s Gospel shows Mary’s ancestry.
Before we arrive at the famous Immanuel prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, we need to go further back to the promise of a Redeemer from the Seed of the woman. “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15) How could there be ‘seed’ from the woman? It would have to be a work of the Holy Spirit. “It is worth noting that Jesus Christ is the only Jew alive who can actually prove His claim to the throne of David! All of the other records were destroyed when the Romans took Jerusalem in AD 70. ”[i]
Messiah was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Before Mary and Joseph came together, Mary was found to be with Child from the Holy Spirit. Now imagine that you are Joseph, in that era, cultural context and facing that situation. Betrothal is something like engagement today, though they would be referred to as husband and wife. But let us be clear that at this stage, they would not live together or consummate their marriage until the wedding ceremony. Breaking off the betrothal would be considered a ‘divorce.’ According to the Mishna, adultery at this stage was a more serious sin than the marriage ceremony. It would result in the death penalty. Today, generally speaking, Jewish wedding ceremonies combine betrothal and marriage in one ceremony under the chuppah.
So with that in mind consider Joseph and what would it be like to be in his shoes. You would probably not assume that since you trust Mary and somehow, she is pregnant, that the obvious explanation is that she is about to give birth to Messiah! Joseph was a just man, not desiring to make a public example and he wished for this matter to be resolved quietly. He was probably heartbroken, confused, perhaps perplexed and uncertain concerning the future. It would appear to be the case that Mary had been unfaithful. Joseph was innocent, but what would others think? Would they even lay partial blame on him? This says much both of Joseph’s character and his love for Mary.
No doubt Joseph considered these things and it would probably have occupied most of the thoughts of his waking moments. What would happen to Mary and the Child? What would the child look like? Who would care for Him? But then Joseph had a dream from the Lord and an angel of the Lord appeared to Him. There are no less than five dreams in Matthew 1-2 (Matthew 1:18; 2:12,13, 19, 22) and four of them were Joseph’s dreams. These dreams typically provide Divine warning, instruction, direction and require swift obedience.
Joseph need not be afraid to take Mary as his wife since the Child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. The magi were warned not to return to Herod, but to depart to their country another way. Joseph had another dream to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt because Herod sought to destroy the Child. Joseph dreamt again and was told to return to Israel, since those who wanted to kill the Child were dead. In Joseph’s last dream, Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod and they warned to avoid Judea and go to Galilee, thus fulfilling prophecy. How important it is that we obey the word of the Lord instantly and obey His command precisely.
Messiah saves us from our sin
The name Yeshua (Jesus) means ‘Saviour’ and only He can save people from their sin. What is sin? Sin is lawlessness. “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4) So sin involves breaking God’s law. But how have you and I broken God’s law?
Consider the Law of Moses in The Ten Commandments. Who has kept the Ten Commandments? You say, “I consider myself a good person, I try to live a moral life and try to keep the commandments. I am no murderer or adulterer.” What did Jesus say on the Sermon on the Mount? “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21-22) And concerning adultery, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)
The law is like a mirror and when we look into it, we see clearly that we are all law breakers. We see that God is indescribably holy and that we are not and that we are all guilty of sin. God is the Judge and one day we will give an account of our lives. Why do we need to be saved from sin? Firstly, because we have all sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Sin means to fall short and is an archery term where the arrow fails to hit the mark and lands clumsily. That is like our best effort to please the Lord without faith in Him.
Our sin comes at a great cost. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Jesus was a Man born to die and who died a slow excruciating death, though He was innocent. He hung for six hours and He suffered and bled and died that we might live. Three days later, He rose. Are you trusting in the Lord and in His death and resurrection. If you are, though you may die, you will live and enjoy the pleasures of heaven and be with the Lord and His people forevermore.
Sin separates us from God and only the sinless Saviour can reconcile us to God. You must be saved. God is holy so sin must be dealt with. There is no sitting on the fence since we need to have things put right between us and God. The Saviour saves people from sin, judgement and hell. He took our sin upon Himself. You must turn to Him and trust in Him and you will pass from death to life. Only Jesus has the power to forgive sin. Ask Him to forgive your sins and follow Him.
Messiah fulfilled the prophecy
These things took place ‘that it might be fulfilled by the Lord through the prophet.’ Matthew helps us by joining the dots in his account to explain what is happening and why. Twelve times, Matthew uses the phrase, ‘that it might be fulfilled’ showing us how Jesus fulfilled prophecy. Matthew quotes the Tanakh on more than 60 occasions showing us the outworking of God’s plans. We do not speak enough of fulfilled prophecy which is specific and unique to the Bible.
The virgin birth is an essential doctrine and pivotal to trusting in the Lord Jesus as Saviour. How otherwise could a human give birth to God, if He were not conceived by the Holy Spirit? How otherwise would Messiah save us from our sins in the light of prophecy? How otherwise would the vital prophecies of Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah 7:14 find fulfilment? How otherwise would God dwell in flesh and be Immanuel, God with us?
Let us consider three objections, however. The first objection is that miracles are naturally occurring events that appear to be supernatural. Well creation is obviously a miracle and we have no excuse to deny God’s existence, since His invisible attributes are clearly seen by the things that are made (Romans 1:20). Also, the whole of Scripture affirms God acts supernaturally and is involved in human affairs. To deny the virgin birth or ignore miraculous events is to undermine the Bible and God Himself.
Some argue if the word ‘virgin’ were intended in Isaiah 7:14 then the Hebrew word ‘betulah’ rather than ‘almah’ would have been used. This initially appears a valid point. However ‘betulah’ does not mean ‘virgin’ in every instance (e.g. Joel 1:8). The Strongs reference for ‘almah’ relates to a lass, damsel, maid or virgin.
Note Matthew is quoting the Septuagint which used the Greek word ‘parthenos.’ This unequivocably means ‘virgin’ so the Greek here defines the word in Isaiah 7:14. ‘Almah’ is used to refer to virgin or implies it and refers to an unmarried woman of good reputation. This is in addition supported by Luke’s teaching. To remind us of the importance of this doctrine remember that some chose to die as martyrs rather than denounce their faith in the virgin born Son of Mary.[ii]
Some hold the view that the immediate context of Isaiah 7-9 concerns King Ahaz, not Jesus. Whilst the passage does involve King Ahaz and Isaiah there is much more in view here. Isaiah 7:14 concerns the sign that requires fulfilment. Also, at the end of the end of the passage in Isaiah 9:6-7 (Isaiah 9:5-6 in the Hebrew Bible) the titles ascribed relate to a character of Divine origin. The ‘sign’ is that a virgin will bear a Son and call His name Immanuel.
As Immanuel, Yeshua left the glories of heaven and walked among us. It is an astonishing thing that the Creator of heaven and earth should condescend and come to us. Charles Wesley described this as “Our God contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made Man.’ As fully God and fully Man, our Lord understands and knows us better than we know ourselves. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Before ascending to heaven He said to His disciples, “I am with you always.” He is a God that is near, that we can know and is the God who has reached out to us.
When Joseph woke, he took his wife but did not know her until she had given birth to Jesus. Faith in God must be exercised through active obedience. We must obey the Lord’s commands. If we love God, we will obey His commandments which are not burdensome but for our good. We must obey God instantly, fully and willingly that it may go well for us and that we might please Him. It would not have been easy for Joseph, but he would have been reassured of doing the right thing. Faith is not relying on feelings but rather trusting in the Lord who knows the end from the beginning.
Joseph did not have relations with Mary until the birth of Messiah and this completely undermines the idea that somehow Mary was a perpetual virgin. Jesus had four brothers and at least two sisters (Matthew 13:55-56). Mary was the most blessed of all women, but her Son was also her Saviour (Luke 1: 46-47).
If tonight were your last day on the face of this earth, would you be certain of going to heaven? Have you asked the Lord to forgive your sins? Are you trusting in the Saviour? Have you been reconciled to God, or are you still at enmity with Him? Do you know the Lord? Is He your Saviour? Are you walking with Him? Remember that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
[i] Warren W. Wiersbe The Wiersbe Bible Commentary The Complete New Testament in One Volume (David C. Cook, 2007; Colorado Springs), p13
[ii] John Walvoord Matthew Thy Kingdom Come https://bible.org/book/export/html/6550
