An Unexpected Pregnancy

Read Matt 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-7

1. There were some very interesting circumstances leading up to the birth of Jesus.

A. The engagement of Joseph and Mary was legally binding.

B. There was an angel who paid a visit to Joseph. Matt 1:20

Matthew 1:20 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.

C. There was an angel who also paid a visit to Mary. Luke 2:26-28.

Luke 2:26–28 NIV

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

*Peace can be found when life goes sideways. What we need is an attitude like Mary’s, “I am the Lord’s servant.”

Luke 1:46–55 NIV

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

2. Pregnancy involves a man and a woman…so how is a virgin birth possible?

A. It’s a miracle.

A miracle will command our attention. It’s unique and not common.

We must also acknowledge the fact that a virgin birth was necessary.

His mission, his identity (fully God and fully Man), his pre-existence and eternal personhood.

He was born into the world not from it. Oswald Chambers

“The Holy Spirit to come upon you, the Most High will over shadow you.” Like a cloud enveloping something.

Virgin birth means retaining the purity necessary for the perfect Lamb of God.

B. The Christ has unique characteristics so a unique birth should be of no surprise. Luke 1:32-33.

Luke 1:32–33 NIV

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

*Peace is inevitable in light of the characteristics that are ascribed to Jesus the Christ.

3. Jesus birth in Bethlehem has very specific relevance to the Messiahship.

A. Old Testament prophecies

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.”

B. Bethlehem is the city of David.

Lambs selected for sacrifice in the temple came from Bethlehem

C. There are some very interesting parallels between Jesus’ birth and death.

*The greatest peace is knowing that Jesus has overcome the grave and one day he will return.