The Hope of the Incarnation

The Old Testament prophets predicted the incarnation in the coming of the Messiah

700 years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah prophesied the incarnation - Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

The prophesy predicts the birth of a king in Israel

He will be:

Wonderful Counselor - Speaking with authority

Mighty God - He would be truly God

Everlasting Father - He will be eternal (vs. 7)

Prince of Peace - He will usher in a future rule of peace

Isaiah also prophesied the means by which the incarnation would take place - Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

The birth of the coming Messiah would be:

A miraculous sign from God

The Messiah would not have a human father

The Messiah would be “God with us”

The prophet Micah predicted the birthplace of the Messiah in Bethlehem - Micah 5:2

Micah 5:2 NIV

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

The birth of the Messiah was significant in that it was the moment when God was with us. Jesus was God incarnate from birth

The angel’s announcement to Joseph revealed the Incarnation - Matthew 1:18-24

Mary was pregnant and Joseph knew he was not the father - Matthew 1:18

Matthew 1:18 NIV

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.

Joseph was conflicted as to what to do - Matthew 1:19

Matthew 1:19 NIV

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

An angel explained the unique circumstances surrounding Mary’s child - Matthew 1:20-21

Matthew 1:20–21 NIV

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. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew connects this to Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah - Matthew 1:22-23

Matthew 1:22–23 NIV

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Joseph accepted the explanation and took Mary as his wife - Matthew 1:24

Matthew 1:24 NIV

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

In these passages, we see two names given for the Messiah:

He was to be called Immanuel - Matthew 1:23 (quoting Isaiah 7:14)

Matthew 1:23 NIV

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

This name focuses on the fact that Jesus was fully God and fully man

Why is it important that Jesus be fully God and fully man?

Jesus had to be man to represent us and take our punishment

Jesus had to be God to overcome sin and death

He was to be called Jesus - Matthew 1:21

Matthew 1:21 NIV

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

This name focuses on the Messiah’s purpose in saving mankind from our sin