Matthew 1:18-25
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
An unbeliever once asked a Christian this question: “If I should tell you that a child had been born in this city without a father, would you believe it?” The Christian answered,“Yes, I would believe it, if that child should live as Jesus lived.”
Skeptics mock, liberals disregard the narrative, but the simple language of Holy Scripture is quite plain, Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. Satan has tried to corrupt the gospel narrative by introducing into ancient literature counterfeit stories of virgin births bred in pagan mythology. However, after comparing the stories from pagan mythology, there is an obvious difference between the gross indecency they speak of, and the beautiful narrative of the gospel. Matthew and Luke tell the story of the virgin birth of Jesus because it happened in this way.
Mary, the mother of Jesus was engaged, or solemnly promised in marriage to Joseph. In the ancient world a betrothal was serious and binding. In a restricted sense it was essentially the marriage. But then, time passed before husband and wife lived together and enjoyed the intimacy of marriage. It was during this interval of time that Mary was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. Mary knew what had happened to her because the angel Gabriel had told her what would happen (Luke 1:26-35). Mary was a willing servant to God, and is certainly to be blessed among women. But, we should be careful.
No creature is to be exalted above the Creator. Mary is not blessed above all other women. If Mary were to visit churches today, she might be grieved at the inordinate attention she is given as a co-mediator between God and man. The Bible says, “For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Mary would be surprised at the concept that she remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus.
“That is not true! “Mary would say. “Joseph the Carpenter was a good husband, young, strong, and healthy when we were married. He was a righteous man and just before God. Instead of divorcing me, he listened to the Lord God who explained my situation to him in a dream. I loved Joseph, and he loved me. We had some wonderful children. There was James, Simon, Judah, Joses and Thomas. And he also had two sisters , Rachel (Rakhel) and Lea (Le’ah).
Jesus had brothers and sisters to enjoy in our large household” (Matt. 12:46,47; Mark 3:31,32; 6:3; Luke 8:19-20; John 2:12; 7:3,5,10; Acts 1:14). The Bible tells us plainly that Joseph took Mary to wife, and did not know her in an intimate way until she had brought forth her firstborn son. And they called him Jesus. What a lovely name that is.
“There have been names
that I have loved to hear,
But never has there been a name so dear,
To this heart of mine, as the name divine,
The precious name of Jesus.
Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And He’s just the same as His lovely name,
And that’s the reason why I love him so;
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.”
It was no accident that He was called Jesus. The Bible said that His name would be called Jesus “for He shall save His people from their sins” (v. 21).In this holy promise there is the certainty of salvation.
If there is a penalty to pay for sin, there is also a wonderful provision whereby the penalty could be paid, the justice and righteousness of God satisfied, and an individual restored to fellowship with the Lord. Love found a way to bridge the gap between the Holy God, and fallen man. Satan tried to stop Jesus from saving His people. The Royal Bloodline was attacked. Alternative plans of salvation were suggested. Prophets were killed. The Word of God was corrupted.
Still, the Saviour came in the fulness of time. “Salvation shall be accomplished,” said God. There is Divine certainty in any omnipotent undertaking.
However, there are limits of salvation. “He shall save His people.” Not all people shall be saved.
Not all people want to be saved, at least on gospel terms. Some want to be saved, provided they can keep their transgressions, or alternative lifestyle. Some want to be saved, provided they can feel good about themselves because of their good works, much like Cain.
The Bible teaches that the person who wants to be saved from the penalty, pain, and pollution of sin, must meet God on God’s terms. There is a limit to what God will allow in the matter of salvation. Ernest care should be taken to find The Way to eternal life. Those who find The Way of salvation in Christ, can rejoice at the birth of Jesus because He does save His people from their sin, according to promise.
Sin means to “miss the mark” of Divine perfection and righteousness.
Sin is an act of rebellion and lawlessness.
Sin is the transgression, or an offense against God’s will.
Sin is failure to do what God requires.
Sin is doing what God has forbidden.
Sin can occur in thought, word, or deed.
When we hate, use profanity, or hurt someone, we sin. Sin has enslaved the whole human race.
The chains of sin hold Natural Men in spiritual bondage. Evidence abounds of this spiritual bondage to sin. Individuals lie, cheat, and makes promises they do not keep. Individuals drink to excess, and consume drugs. Individuals cry in secret shame, and long for their personal addiction to stop. There are people who live a life of quiet desperation. To every hurting heart, the birth of Jesus says, “Jesus saves, Jesus saves,
“I have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the mountains, cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!”
~Priscilla J. Owens
Whom does Jesus save? The Bible says, “His people.” All whom the Father has given to the Son shall come to Jesus (John 6:37). They are, “His people.” In the eternal decree of God, it has been foreordained that some of fallen humanity will be saved, for the purpose of the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:6). While God is under no obligation to save anyone, redeeming grace condescends to save some.
Here is the message of Christmas. In Christ, Immanuel has come to liberate the demon possessed.
comfort the poor in spirit, and bless them. Jesus has come to be with the care ridden, to rid them of care, with the lepers to cleanse them, with the diseased to cure them, with the hungry to feed them, and with the lost, to seek and to save them.
The most important issue that a person will ever address is this.
“Has Christ saved me from my sins?”
“Am I a Christian?”
“Has God worked a work of grace in my heart?”
“Do I love the church?”
“Do I long for communion?”
“Do I love others?”
The answer to these questions will determine heaven, or hell, eternal life, or eternal destruction.
If we would be a Christian then we must do three things.
First, we must repent of our transgressions. Repentance means that we feel sorrow for doing wrong, and we want to change.
Second, we must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Third, we must believe by faith, that Jesus Christ is a personal Saviour.
The promise is given,
“Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13).
Any person can be saved in this very hour by calling upon Christ and saying,
“Lord be merciful to me the sinner.”
As the story of the birth of Jesus is remembered,
As presents are exchanged, let us ask ourselves afresh, “Have I received the gift of eternal life?” “Have I repented of sin, and confessed Christ as Lord and Savior?” “Do I believe in the One, the only One, who was born of a virgin, died, a substitutionary death, was buried, and rose again on the third day?”
There is a popular movie that is often watched at this time of the year, A Christmas Carol. There is a scene that raises an interesting question. Perhaps you will recognize it. The Ghost of Christmas Past has just paid a very discomforting visit to Ebenezer Scrooge. Clearly the old miser is shaken by the entire ordeal. But when he awakens from his sleep does he take the message to heart?
No, he simply dismisses it by saying:
“Bah, humbug, it wasn’t real.”
“Just a bit of last nights undigested beef,” he says to himself,
“There is more gravy about you than the grave.”
Was Ebenezer given a vision to be taken to heart?
Or was it indigestion?
You tell me.
The gospel sets before us the story of the birth of Jesus. Is the biblical narrative only a vision of an overactive imagination, or something that is real, and is to be taken to heart? You, tell me. (Brett Blair, Sermon Illustrations).
