From Matthew 1-4
The Old has finished the new has come. The Gospel is the Story of Jesus. The promised one Israel has been waiting for has come. The Gospel starts with the birth of Jesus.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (Mt 1:18–25)
About Jesus
We can tell from this passage that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. The nature of him conception is cause for controversy and people can take sides.
Some say Jesus was born of immorality, insulting Jesus. When Jesus and Mary were slandered this way, it was by the Jews who had ‘believed’ him (Jn 8.31). They were in truth, unbelievers who did not believe who he is and where he came from.
39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” (Jn 8:39–41)
In truth, Jesus had a unique birth because he is unique. Fully God, fully man, Jesus’ true Father is God. That is why Jesus can be called the Son of God. In incredible humility, Jesus in the very nature God, took on the nature of a servant and became one of us. Jesus means God with us.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.
