December 18, 1999
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Here we have recorded the birth
of the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Matthew prepares to go into great detail of this birth, much more
than would be for a normal birth. The reason? This birth, according
to the prophecy of Isa. 7:14, had to be a virgin
birth. Therefore, both Matthew and Luke go into great detail about
this birth.
The custom under the OT law was for an extended period of time
between the agreement to marry and the actual coming together.
This was much more than an engagement as we know it today. Under
the law, found in Deuteronomy 22:22-27, sexual relations with
another man or woman during this time was considered adultery
with the death penalty against it.
V. 19.
Joseph could have dealt with Mary as though her pregnancy was
the result of an immoral act which placed her under the death
penalty according to Deut. 22:22-27. But he chose
not to. He took for granted that she had been forced in the field
where she had no one to come to her aid. He was going to quietly
put her away.
The Spirit of God calls Joseph a just man. He was a man who desired
justice. Justice could have made a public example of Mary. Justice
could have demanded the death penalty, as the Pharisees did with
the woman they caught in adultery. But notice that Joseph understood
the law of Moses. He remembered the spirit of the law. He loved
Mary, and gave to her the benefit of the doubt. He then dealt
with this difficult situation in the mildest way possible, without
compromising the law.
He was Christ-like, never having met Christ. This is what the
Lord did, He enforced the law, but always in the genuine spirit
of the law. He always exhibited the proper spirit of the law as
the Father meant for it to be. The spirit that loves our neighbor
as ourselves. This spirit of love does not compromise God's requirements,
but it handles them with meekness, humility and tenderness.
Mary's husband, Joseph, loved her. He had to
take action, but he did it in the mildest manner permitted by
the word of God. He was going to deal with this the same way he
wanted someone else to deal with him. Might we learn to do the
same. This goes right along with Paul's instruction in Gal.
6.
V. 20
Joseph thought on these things.. How long, we have no idea. Maybe
for several weeks. But this would require some stern action and
he wasn't going to rush into it. No doubt he felt he was between
a rock and a hard place. He wanted to do what was right, yet he
loved Mary. He was probably searching for some leading from the
Lord on this.
Note how we need to learn to think on things
before we take action or make rash decisions, especially when
our actions effect others.
Obviously, Joseph wanted to do the right thing, so the
angel of the Lord appeared unto him.
Note that if we really want to do the right thing, the Lord will
lead us in the right area.
The Lord gave Joseph a fear not. Why was he afraid?
Was he afraid of violating the principles of God's word? Regardless,
the Lord has a fear not for all His people, one for every situation
in which they find themselves.
In the midst of Joseph's distressing thoughts of how to handle
this situation, the Lord reminded him he was in the line of David
-- in the midst of our distress, we must remember we are
of the line of David through Christ our Lord.
V. 21
Here is the first naming of the King, Jesus. The work of the king
is identified, save his people from their sins. He saves from
the power of sin over us and from the punishment of sin. He is
still saving people from their sins. Have we told others this?
Vv. 22, 23
Isaiah 7:14 is quoted here:
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin
shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
That passage makes a good message, but I will not pursue it today
other than to say that the prophecy was given in the time of great
national turmoil and loss of all hope in the future.
V. 23. As we face, even today, the darkness and
blackness of the world around us, we have the same sign as Ahaz
had. We have the sign of the virgin born Saviour, who's birth
we calibrate at this time of the year.
Who would have thought that this prophecy of EMMANUEL, God with
us, would be the Lord Jesus Christ, born in a stable of the most
humble of parents?
No doubt, when we see Christ, we will understand a lot more of
Scripture than we do today. We will also probable find that a
lot more has been fulfilled than we can imagine.
In his dilemma, Joseph is reminded of Scripture.
Vv. 24, 25.
Joseph was not disobedient to that heavenly vision. He did not
delay, but as soon as he received his direction, he moved.
The indication is that he was woke out of his sleep at night and
got right up and went to get his wife, Mary.
Now, let me draw your attention to v. 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.
The three words here that should catch our attention are GOD
WITH US.
First, God is the one who was in the beginning,
before all things. He is the one who created all things in heaven,
in earth and under the earth.
Second, God created man in his own image, male
and female created he them.
Third, God planed out all of history before history
started.
Fourth, this verst tells us that Christ is named Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us. Christ is God,
the God who created all things:
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of
the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of
darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear
Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the
forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities,
or powers: all things were created by him, and for him : 17 And
he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Fifth, 16 times in Scripture, GOD is called SAVIOUR.
Let me just refer to a few of the passages:
2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my
shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge,
my saviour; thou savest me from violence. Psalms 106:21 They forgat
God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; Isaiah
43:3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:
I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Isaiah
45:15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel,
the Saviour. Isaiah 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let
them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient
time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and
there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there
is none beside me. Hosea 13:4 Yet I am the LORD thy God from the
land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is
no saviour beside me. Luke 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in
God my Saviour. 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ,
which is our hope; 1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Saviour; Titus 1:3 But hath in due times
manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto
me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; Titus 2:10
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn
the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Titus 2:13 Looking
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 3:4 But after that the
kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Jude
1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion
and power, both now and ever. Amen.
I cannot find the words to describe the wonderful fact of what
Christians celebrate on December 25.How can one describe or explain
the fact that God the creator became a man so he could save his
people. And the means for their salvation was his life as a poverty
stricken man who died the most horriable death imagineable in
his day.What words can we use to explain the fact that the God
of creation is the means of salvation of his fallen creatures?
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