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Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
Song: I’m Not Ashamed To Own My Lord
The birth of Jesus was like no other in the Bible. There had been miraculous conceptions by barren women but this one was unique. Jesus was born to a virgin. There was no question that He was no ordinary child, but the Son of God in the flesh, “God with us.”
The birth of Christ was like no other in the hope it proffered. In this child named Jesus the promise of deliverance first enunciated in the Garden would see fulfillment. The seed of woman would crush the head of Satan “for it is He,” said the angel to Joseph, “who will save His people from their sins.”
Many O.T. prophecies are fulfilled in the events of Jesus’ nativity. Joel predicted that the last days would be signaled by “young men seeing visions,” “old men dreaming dreams,” “sons and daughters prophesying.” Joseph’s dream, Zachariah’s vision, Elizabeth’s prophecy, the wise men’s dream, and so many other heavenly manifestations surrounded the birth of Jesus that no one can close his eyes to the events of that generation in Palestine. This child would be like no other.
Jesus was born to parents who witness that the Messianic hope was alive in Israel. Joseph was not only a good, but a righteous man, who before knowing the source of Mary’s conception planned not to disgrace her. Here was a man who understood something of the notion of “mercy and not sacrifice” that his son would perfectly model. Here was a man willing to risk the reproach of what appearances might suggest to outsiders. He was no ordinary man. But of course, neither was his son.
Jason Moore
