Understanding the Gospel of Matthew and Why it Matters - Part 3

The Birth of Jesus Christ

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before the 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.

The Validity of the Virgin Birth

As Matthew continues to present his case for Jesus as the promised Messiah, he now moves to the story of Jesus' unique birth as Exhibit B. The main argument is that Jesus fulfills the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 by having been born of a virgin. This miracle is evidence that Jesus is more than just an ordinary man.

Throughout the 20th century, professing Christians increasingly joined non-Christians in denying the doctrine of the virgin birth. It is confounding that so many Christians can believe that Jesus was able to walk on water and raise the dead, yet scoff at the virgin birth as unbelievable. The Bible is clear that nothing is too hard for God, no matter how remarkable it might sound. Those who believe that a virgin birth is impossible simply need a bigger view of God.

One of the most common objections to the virgin birth is that it should not be believed because it is mentioned only twice in the New Testament. The gospels of Matthew and Luke are the only Biblical writers that speak directly of Jesus' virgin birth. Jesus Himself never brings it up in any of His teaching, nor does Paul, Peter, or any of the other inspired Apostolic writers. This argument, however, does not hold water. R. C. Sproul is right to ask "How many times does God have to say something before it is believable?" The two passages of Scripture that teach the virgin birth ought to be sufficient reason for any Christian to accept it as absolute truth. It is a very dangerous thing for someone to pick and choose what parts of the Bible he or she will accept as true. The entirety of Scripture is true, and all mankind will be held accountable for every verse. To place ourselves as a judge of the Bible and to call into question verses we may not want to readily accept smacks of sinful, human pride. If the virgin birth is untrue, then God is a liar. Though some may be willing to make that assertion, I for one will not. "Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar." We can always trust God's Word against any man's.

The virgin birth goes further than just giving evidence of Jesus as the Messiah. The virgin birth declares Jesus to be deity, the very Son of God. Joseph was not his father. God was.

No one, not even the conservative Pharisees, expected this. In fact, had Jesus not claimed to be God, He probably would have never been killed. It was the crime of blasphemy, a man declaring himself to be divine, that put Jesus on the cross. But Jesus was divine. He was truly the God-man. And His virgin birth proves it.

One of the most remarkable things about our God is that He can relate to us. He humbled Himself and became a man. He knows what its like to scrape your knee, to be hungry, to be tired, to be cold, or to have a head-ache. He has felt the sting of being betrayed by a friend. He knows the pain of having a loved one die. He even knows what it is like to be tempted. Is there a temptation that you are constantly battling in your life? Is there a sin that has left you black and blue? Then remember Hebrews 4:15-16:"We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."Whatever you may be struggling with in your life, know that Jesus can relate. Approach Him with confidence and trust Him for grace. He is ready and able to help you.

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