Matthew 1
Jesus’ name means “The Lord saves.” He came into this world to save us because we can’t save ourselves from sin and its consequences. We cannot remove our sinful nature on our own; only God can do that.
Prayer
Thank Him for His death on the cross for your sins. Then ask Him to take control of your life.
Matthew 1:18
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Jewish Marriage Customs
- Engagement: This could happen when the bride and groom to be were quite young, and was often arranged by the parents.
- Betrothal: This made the previous engagement official and binding. During the time of betrothal the couple were known as husband and wife, and a betrothal could only be broken by divorce. Betrothal typically lasted a year.
- Marriage: This took place after the wedding, after the year of betrothal.
Mary’s “unfaithfulness” carried a severe social stigma, which under the Jewish law, Joseph have to right to divorce, stone her to death.
Why is the Virign Birth so important to the Christian Faith?
Jesus, who is God’s Son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam (Romans 5:12). Ever since Adam broke God’s law, the nature to sin has been passed on to Adam’s descendants, similar to how we inherit physical traits from our parents.
- Romans 5:12: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
What is Sin? 1 John 3:4 : “Sin is the transgression of the law. To sin is to transgress, or break, the law of God.”
The Curses of Adam and Eve
Adam Curse
Genesis 3:17-19: “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil, you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.”
Eve Curse
Genesis 3:16: “To the woman he said, ‘I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor, you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.‘”
The Significance of Jesus’ Birth
Jesus was born of a woman, making Him a human being; but as the Son of God, Jesus was born without any traces of human sin (the sin factor from Adam). Jesus is both fully human and divine.
God began a whole new work in His creation. Just as the Holy Spirit breathed the breath of life into Adam at Creation (Genesis 2:7), the Holy Spirit brings new life into the world in the new Adam, Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s creation.
Since Jesus lived as a man, He understands our experiences and struggles (Hebrews 4:15-16). Furthermore, as God, He has the power and authority to deliver us from sin (Colossians 2:13-15). Hence, we can tell Jesus all our thoughts, feelings, and needs. He has been where we are now, and He has the ability to forgive, heal, and renew us.
Matthew 1:19-20
Joseph’s Dilemma and God’s Intervention
Joseph initially faced a moral dilemma: whether to divorce Mary quietly, following the law, or to have her stoned for what appeared to be unfaithfulness. However, God intervened by sending an angel to reveal the truth about Mary’s pregnancy and instructing Joseph to marry her.
The Best Choice Through Divine Guidance
Joseph’s decision to follow the angel’s guidance and marry Mary was ultimately the best choice. While his initial inclination to divorce her quietly seemed justifiable, it would have exposed Mary to public disgrace and potential harm. By marrying her, Joseph protected Mary, obeyed God’s specific instruction, and played a crucial role in fulfilling prophecy.
Lesson Learned: Seeking God’s Wisdom
This story teaches us the importance of seeking God’s wisdom in our decisions, especially when they impact the lives of others. Joseph’s willingness to listen to God’s guidance, despite the challenges it presented, serves as an example for us to trust in God’s plan and follow His direction, even when it seems difficult or goes against our initial judgment.
Matthew 1:20
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Supernatural Birth
The birth of Jesus is a supernatural event beyond human logic or reasoning. Because of this, God sent angels to help certain people understand the significance of what was happening.
What are Angels?
Angels are spiritual beings created by God who help carry out His work on earth. They bring God’s messages to people (Luke 1:26), protect God’s people (Daniel 6:22), offer encouragement (Genesis 16:7-16), give guidance (Exodus 14:19), carry out punishment (2 Samuel 24:16), patrol the Earth (Zechariah 1:9-14), and fight the forces of evil (2 Kings 6:16-18, Revelation 20:1-2).
There are both good and evil angels (Revelation 12:7), but because evil angels (demons) are allied with the devil, Satan, they have considerably less power and authority than good angels.
Main role of the angles is to offer continous praise to God (Revelation 7:11-12).
Matthew 1:24
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife
Obedience to God
After Joseph woke up from his dream, he quickly changed his plans. He obeyed God and proceeded with the marriage. Although others may have disapproved of this decision, Joseph went ahead with what he knew God wanted him to do.
Sometimes we hesitate to do what God wants because of what others might think. Like Joseph, we must choose to obey God rather than seek the approval of others.
Conclusions
The birth of Jesus Christ, as recounted in Matthew 1, underscores several profound truths and lessons for believers.
Obedience to Divine Guidance
Joseph’s story is a testament to the importance of seeking and following God’s guidance in our lives.
Faced with a difficult situation that could have led to public disgrace for Mary and potential harm, Joseph chose to obey the angel’s message. This decision, though challenging, was the best course of action and demonstrated Joseph’s faithfulness to God.
It teaches us that, in our own lives, we must seek God’s wisdom, especially when our decisions impact others. Trusting in God’s plan often requires courage and a willingness to act against societal norms or personal inclinations.
The Virgin Birth and Its Theological Significance
The virgin birth of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian faith, emphasizing His divine origin and sinless nature. Jesus, born of a woman but conceived by the Holy Spirit, was free from the inherited sin of Adam. This unique birth fulfills Old Testament prophecies and establishes Jesus as both fully human and fully divine.
Understanding this theological truth helps us appreciate the depth of God’s plan for salvation and the lengths to which He went to reconcile humanity to Himself.
The Role of Angels
Angels played a crucial role in communicating God’s plan to key individuals involved in the birth of Jesus. They brought messages of reassurance and guidance, helping Joseph understand the divine nature of Mary’s pregnancy.
This highlights the ongoing work of angels in the divine narrative, as messengers, protectors, and executors of God’s will. Their involvement underscores the supernatural dimension of Jesus’ birth and God’s active engagement in human affairs.
Jesus’ Mission and Our Response
Jesus’ name, meaning “The Lord saves”, encapsulates His mission on Earth. He came to save humanity from sin and its consequences, offering a way to be reconciled with God. This salvation is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a gift from God, made possible through Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection.
As believers, our response should be one of gratitude and submission to His lordship. We are called to live lives that reflect His love, grace, and truth.
Practical Application
Joseph’s example teaches us to prioritize obedience to God over the fear of public opinion or personal discomfort. In our daily lives, we are often faced with decisions that require us to choose between conforming to societal expectations and following God’s guidance.
Joseph’s story encourages us to seek divine wisdom and act with faith, knowing that God’s plans are ultimately for our good and His glory.