A Much Needed Announcement for All
The Birth of the Savior • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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This morning we finally arrive at the birth of Jesus. The beginning of this passage continues with the explanation that the birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy, as we’ve covered in previous weeks. As is always the case, the Christmas story is full of hope and peace. However, just with one verse we can understand a hearty explanation of the gospel.
Read Matthew 1:22-25
Verse 22 begins by stating that this historic event took place to fulfill a specific prophecy. This means that the conception of this baby happened in order to fulfill the prophecy. Joseph's initial plan and intervention by God through an angel. The instruction that Joseph receives. Most importantly the birth of the baby all takes place in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled.
The bulk of this morning’s points are going to come from verse 23 which is a direct quote from Isaiah 7:14.
A Much Needed Announcement
A Much Needed Announcement
We begin with a single word: Behold. This is a word to get the attention of others. “Look!” “Hey!” “Listen Up!” The reason why this is so important in the original context in Isaiah is because they were originally spoken to Ahaz regarding a help from the Assyrians.
But this prophecy was for more than just the Israelites. It was for all people. This prophecy is meant to get the attention of all who will hear. When we consider the gospel, we know that it is for all people because each and every person is in need of salvation. Romans 3:23 tells us that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Every person is in need of saving. Every person.
And because of that, there is an announcement that is made for all who will hear it. But next who are told about who the mother of this child will be.
The Purity of the Savior
The Purity of the Savior
We often jump right over the purity of Jesus to the miracle of His birth. However, this baby was born for the purpose of dying on the cross for the sins of the world. Throughout His life He taught those who were willing to follow Him how they ought to live. But it is important that we consider the importance of purity here.
The Hebrew word for virgin here does not strictly mean that it is a woman who has never had sex. Typically it is a woman who is of marriageable age. Yet, the Greek used in Matthew 1 is more specific and communicates a lack of sex and therefore in this case a lack of sin.
We believe that Jesus was without sin. Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 5 that the one who knew no sin was made sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. The need for this comes from the Old Testament command that a sin offering must be made with a lamb that was without any sort of blemish or imperfection. In other words, a perfect sacrifice was needed. While Mary was not without sin, it is clear that she was indeed a virgin and this points to the sinlessness of her son.
Speaking of the virgin Mary, next we need to look at
The Miracle of His Birth
The Miracle of His Birth
Salvation has come to us through the form of an imperfect woman. The specific phrase I want to hone in on here goes beyond just “virgin” and includes “shall conceive”. You see, there has never been a virginal birth in the history of humankind. It was quite literally an act of God that Jesus was born.
We can understand the birth of Jesus as an act of the trinity. God the Father sends His Son to this earth by way of the Holy Spirit conceiving the child in Mary. That Jesus was born without an earthly contributor is truly a miracle. It is the same miracle that cause His birth that gave our Lord the resolve and strength to bear the weight of our sin on the cross.
This miracle is just the beginning of those that are shared in the gospel of Matthew. He cleanses a leper, heals the Centurion's servant, and calms a storm in Matthew 8. He gives sight to two blind men in Matthew 9 as well as gives a mute man a voice. This is just a mention of a few but I want to read for you one more example of a miracle performed in Matthew 9:1-8.
And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
You see, there are so many physical miracles (and I should note that the greatest physical miracle performed will be discussed in a bit) but the greatest miracle, made possible by Jesus’ death on the cross, is that forgiveness of sins has been made possible.
We move from the miracle of the gospel to look at
Jesus’ Humanity
Jesus’ Humanity
The gospel of John begins by explaining that the Word, that is Jesus, became flesh. This backs up the fact that Jesus was fully human in body, soul, mind, and will. We read in verse 23 that the virgin would bear a son. And that son is now our representative, as fallen humans, before the throne. He is our advocate before the Father as we stand before Him to account for how we have lived. As we stand there, Jesus looks at us, sees that we trusted in Him and believed that He is the Christ, He looks to the Father and says, “this is one of mine.” It is because of His humanity that Jesus is a worthy advocate of ours.
We must keep in mind that Jesus did not just die for us be He also lived for us. In other words, He provided an example for what to be angry about and what to rejoice over. He gave principles for the everyday person, as a man, on precisely how we ought to live. This was only possible because of the human nature of Jesus.
Finally in verse 23 we look to
The Divine Nature of Jesus
The Divine Nature of Jesus
While we have been previously told that this child’s name will be Jesus, translated as Yahweh saves, the prophecy here says that this child will be called Immanuel, literally translated as God with us. Is there a contradiction? Well, just because the child will be called that does not mean that it will be His name. In this case, God reached down when He gave us His Son and provided His direct presence.
It is because He is God that He is eternal and why He was able to conquer the grave as He did. This is the greatest physical miracle performed by Jesus. It was more than a disappearing and then reappearing act. There are historical accounts with eyewitnesses that state that the man died on the cross. Then we are told that he was walking around with His disciples three days later.
Because He is God, we more fully rely on His words, though the whole of scripture is inspired. He is worthy of our worship because He is God. And He reigns as the true King of our lives now.
Now that we have the gospel laid out for us according to who Jesus is, what do we do with it? How do we respond? Let’s look back at verses 24 and 25.
Obedience
Obedience
Joseph responds to all that is revealed to him from the angel with obedience. He does what the Lord commanded.
This morning we are going to respond to the bible. We are not responding to what I have told you but to the truth of these holy scriptures.
What is God leading you to this morning? Surely He has laid something on your heart that you are feeling drawn to today. Will you lean in to what He is commanding of you out of obedience or will you flee from it? It is my prayer that we will respond to the gospel each and every time in a way that is worthy of it.
