The Miraculous Advent of Hope: Unveiling the Depth of Matthew 1:18-25

Introduction

As we begin to look at one of the greatest (maybe THE greatest mystery in the Bible), the incarnation, I want to give you a quote by the German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

God is not ashamed of the lowliness of human beings. God marches right in. He chooses people as his instruments and performs his wonders where one would least expect them. God is near to lowliness; he loves the lost, the neglected, the unseemly, the excluded, the weak and broken.

God became a human being like us, so that we would become [like him], and ...he came to us so that we would come to him. God ... becomes low for our sakes, … That is the depth of the Deity, whom we worship as mystery and comprehend as mystery

Bonhoeffer is marveling at how God embraces our human condition not by staying distant but by coming close to those who feel forgotten or unimportant

The incarnation is possibly THE GREATEST MYSTERY IN THE BIBLE

What about the resurrection — isn't that more mysterious?

The idea of God in the flesh dying and then coming back to life is indeed profound

Yet, even within that miraculous event, the incarnation stands as a unique mystery

It's the beginning of the journey where the divine intersects with humanity in the most intimate way — God not only living among us but being born as one of us

This aspect of God becoming a fragile baby is an even more bewildering mystery that sets the stage for everything that follows, including the resurrection

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that the incarnation strikes at the depth of the God whom we worship as mystery and comprehend as a mystery

Why does God draw near to the lowly and the lost?

Why does He become like us so that we can become like Him?

This is the incomprehensible mystery of the Gospel!

This mystery holds power for us as believers

Divine mysteries are an opportunity for growing our faith

We’re forced to live with uncertainty, not knowing all the answers

It challenges our desire for control

We’re reminded that there’s more to reality than we can see or understand

We have to lean on and trust God

But divine mysteries also are an invitation

An invitation to:

Study

Explore

Discuss

All of which leads to greater depths of understanding and experience

The incarnation is an “ENABLING MYSTERY” that will never be fully knowable but will give clarity

While beyond full human comprehension it

Expands our understanding

Deepens our faith

Draws us closer to God

It’s a mystery that empowers and transforms us

As we explore it, we’ll gain more scriptural clarity

Yet, we’ll still accept it as a mystery beyond human understanding

The Creator born into His creation. This divine paradox is at the heart of our Christmas contemplation

A Divine Mystery and A Righteous Response (vv. 18-19)

Introduction: The Context of Jesus' Genealogy

Matthew begins his gospel with a genealogy - The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham

It’s a lineage that links Jesus to two pivotal figures in Israel’s history

This genealogy isn't just a list of names

It's a prologue that’s a tapestry of promises setting the stage for the Christmas story we’re preparing to celebrate

The two pivotal historical figures are right in verse 1, Matthew declares Jesus to be:

Son of David and Son of Abraham

To David God promised that his throne would be established forever (2 Sam 7)

To Abraham God assured blessing for all nations thru his his descendents (Gen 22:18) —

Matthew is pointing directly to Christ as the ruler in the line of David and the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham

These titles are not only historical markers

Christmas means the coming of Jesus brings eternal kingship and universal blessing

Matthew traces the genealogy from Abraham to David to Joseph and Mary where...

These promises come to life in Jesus who brings salvation to the world

This is profound: Imagine all the history contained in the genealogy

All the way back to Abraham

We see more than historical figures

In tracing the genealogy Matthew is points us to the heart of Christmas - “God with us”

It’s a tangible reminder that God’s promises to be with us first given to Abraham

Then echoed to David, find it’s fulfillment in Jesus

We see the unfolding of hope as God works thru history to bring salvation to his people

We see the joy of fulfilled promises

And we see the peace that comes from God’s enduring faithfulness

Often, we might think of genealogies as just a long list of names, perhaps even a bit tedious. Yet, in this lineage of Jesus, we discover a captivating story woven through generations. It's far from just names on a page – it's the unfolding of a divine plan, a panorama rich with promises leading us to a humble carpenter and his betrothed who are about to step into the grandeur of God’s story

Matthew 1:18–19 (NKJV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

We’re introduced to Jesus’ earthly parents in an unconventional situation

Mary is pregnant and consequently Joseph doesn’t want to be with her

They’re not yet married, but Joseph is called her “husband” (v19)

Despite the fact that they’re not married, Joseph seeks to divorce her (v19)

The key to understanding is the cultural context - In English we have no equivalent term to describe this situation.

Mary and Joseph were not merely engaged but betrothed

In the Jewish culture, betrothal was a binding promise to marry that could only be broken by a formal legal process

During the betrothal period couples didn’t live together or have marital relations

Mary’s pregnancy wouldn’t just raise a few eyebrows

It would bring serious social and religious repercussions

Imagine the the disgrace it would have brought on both families

In this context of betrothal, think of the shock and confusion Joseph must have experienced when he discovers that Mary is pregnant

Put yourself in Joseph’s place and walk in his shoes

Imagine the storm of emotions – anger, betrayal, a sense of helplessness – swirling within Joseph as he grapples with a reality that turns his world upside down

There was no easy way out of this for Joseph

This isn’t merely a socially awkward situation — it’s heart-wrenching and life changing for Joseph

From Joseph’s point of view, trust has been broken

His entire future changed in the blink of an eye

His life’s plans shattered and gone

Now he has to divorce the person he’s most committed to — the one he loves and cherishes

No matter how much he loves Mary, shes’ commited a crime and he must end the relationship

Matthew doesn’t tell us how Joseph felt but it’s tough to imagine that he didn’t struggle with his decision

At this point for Joseph to wed Mary would have been a lie

Accepting the child as his own

And it wasn’t the kind of culture like we have today where people talked openly about such things

Mary couldn’t pull Joseph aside and talk him thru this

Matthew is great at drawing us into his story

How will Joseph respond to this scandal?

V19 says that Joseph was a just (righteous) and wanted to divorce her quietly

There are laws in Deuteronomy about adultery

Rightfully and lawfully Joseph needed to end his betrothal

But he didn’t want to expose Mary — He doesn’t know that Mary’s pregnancy is of the Holy spirit, YET

He faces a dilemma, but he does so both righteously and graciously

How many men would act this way if they found out their fiance was pregnant and the baby wasn’t his?!?

Men, if this were you would you show grace and mercy?

We see the kind of person that Joseph is and possibly why he was chosen by God to be used in such a special way

We see the kind of grace and mercy that Jesus would embody

As readers of Matthew’s gospel we know that God is preparing Joseph to be used in his divine plan

Already we see the mystery of the incarnation developing in intertwining of the ordinary with the miraculous

We saw in the genealogy how God works across history and and we also see how he works in individual people’s lives

As we reflect on the unexpected nature of the biblical Christmas story, we see the surprising turns in the narrative, and new we’ll also begin to see how God reveals His plan amidst these unforeseen circumstances.

It reminds us that God's plans not only defy our expectations but also manifest His power and grace in moments of crisis

The Power of Divine Revelation: God’s Intervention in Crisis (vv. 20-21)

Matthew 1:20–21 NKJV

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Joseph is now wrestling with a life-altering decision

Whiles he’s thoughtfully considering his decision an angelic messenger appears in a dream

It's a divine intervention precisely timed, highlighting the moment when human resolution meets divine direction

In the midst of his turmoil God intervenes providing clarity and direction

The angel addresses Joseph as “son of David”

The angel's address as 'son of David' is not just a formality

It's a profound reminder of Joseph's pivotal role in the Messianic prophecy, linking him directly to Jesus’ divine mission

The angel links Joseph’s directly to Jesus' role as the awaited Messiah, fulfilling ancient prophecies that Matthew introduced in the verse 1

Notice how quickly things change

Suddenly, what Joseph perceived as betrayal transforms into an understanding of divine orchestration, changing the course of his actions and beliefs

The angel instructs Joseph to name the child Jesus

Naming the child signifies more than a traditional duty

Joseph is embracing a divine mission

It symbolizes Joseph's willingness to be obedient and his acceptance of Jesus as his own

Legally anchoring Jesus in David's lineage

Here, the lineage from Abraham to David reaches its fulfillment in Jesus

Consider how profound this is — The Christmas story hinged on Joseph’s obedience

Joseph’s obedience reflects our own path to embracing Immanuel

His decision to trust during uncertainty mirrors our call to welcome Jesus into our lives

Joseph embodies the true spirit of Christmas

The willingness to allow god to transform our understanding and our lives

Joseph is told that the meaning of the child’s name is “Yahweh saves” because he will save his people from their sins

It’s a name that captures Jesus’ mission the essence of the Christmas story

Contrary to expectations of a conquering Messiah, we are presented with a vulnerable infant destined to reconcile humanity to God

'God became human, so we might become like him....God came to us so that we would come to him'

Another point of reflection for us this Christmas

How will God accomplish this reconciliation? How do we become like him as Bonhoeffer says?

Matthew tells us: It’s right in his name

v21 — He will save his people from their sins

Sin is that rebellious nature of ours that rejects God’s authority and intent for our lives and separates us from him

It’s not something that we can overcome on our own by trying harder

But requires Jesus pouring out his own blood so that our sins can be forgiven (Matt 26:28)

If the Messiah came as people expected — as a powerful ruler who disposed of our enemies…rid the world of all the things that oppose us

We’d still be left with our sins

We’d still be rebelling against God’s kingdom and authority

We’d still be separated from God

Deliverance from sins is the only way to reconcile us back to God

Because as Paul says in Eph 2:1 that sin causes spiritual death and separation from God

But the forgiveness of sins thru Christ’s death and resurrection reconciles us to God and makes us alive again

Christ entered the tomb for us so that we could come out of the tomb and live for him

Forgiveness of sins is the point of the Christmas story

Forgiveness that begins with a venerable baby born in a manager…the child of two lowly followers of God who were faithful and willing to be obedient

And because of their obedience God’s plan that swept thru history — history that goes back to Abraham was coming to fulfillment

As we reflect on the powerful ways in which God intervenes in our moments of crisis, we are reminded that divine revelation is not just about receiving insights or understanding God's plans. It's about how we respond to that revelation

Moving into verses 22-25, we see the embodiment of true obedience in Joseph's actions. His response to God's revelation shows us the triumph of obedience, not only as an act of submission, but as a courageous step towards fulfilling God's greater purpose

This is illustrated in Matthew's citation of Isaiah 7:14 regarding the VIRGIN BIRTH, where the prophecy and its fulfillment converge, highlighting the profound truth that God's plans, though mysterious at times, are always meant to lead us to a greater fulfillment of His purposes

The Triumph of Obedience: Fulfilling God’s Purpose (vv. 22-25)

Matthew 1:22–25 NKJV

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

In these last verses, Matthew takes back to the time of the prophet Isaiah

Unfolding the the layers of God’s sovereignty and redemptive plan thru Isa 7:14

Initially, this prophecy was given as hope to King Ahaz amidst Judah's turmoil

Yet its true fulfillment was destined for a broader, more profound horizon

Northern territories threatened to seize Jerusalem

Ahaz and the people were gripped by fear, depicted in Isaiah 7:2 as trembling "like trees in the wind"

The prophet Isaiah is sent by God to offer Ahaz a sign of divine protection

God invites Ahaz to chose any sign he wants

Ahaz, an unbeliever, hides behind false devotion saying he doesn’t want to test God

The reality was, Ahaz had his own plans

To ally with Assyria against his enemies

Despite Ahaz’s refusal of God’ help, God gives him a sign anyway

Isaiah proclaimed the sign in Isa 7:14 — The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel

Ahaz’s refusal of God’s help and his reliance on Assyria led to complex consequences

Assyria, initially aiding Judah, later turned oppressor, sweeping over Judah as foretold in Isaiah 8:7-8

Over time Judah fell into more and more apostacy becoming weaker both spiritually as a nation

God’s judgment led to a Babylonian conquest of Judah and exile of the Jewish people

This prophecy to Ahaz isn’t merely historical background

There’s theological implications that have sparked a long standing debate

The debate is centered on the Hebrew word translated as “virgin” in Isa 7:14

In the 1950’s when the Revised Standard Version Bible was released, the word was translated as “young woman” instead of “virgin”

While the Hebrew term directly translates to 'young woman,' its full cultural implication is a 'young woman of marriageable age,' typically implying virginity in that context

Which would have assumed the woman was a virgin

It’s an issue of translation

When our English bibles translate the word as “virgin” it’s conveying the idea behind the word

So, it’s really an issue of translation

In Hebrew, the words for “virgin & “young woman of marriageable age” are synonyms

The important point of the prophecy is to focus on the child, not the woman’s status

The child is the sign to King Ahaz and Judah of God’s presence

It’s God’s promise of his presence and deliverance from enemies

Matthew sees ultimate fulfillment in Jesus

He translates the word clearly as “virgin” — highlighting Jesus’ miraculous birth

Emphasizing the extraordinary event of God taking human form

Christmas is God coming into the world in a way that defies expectations

Conceived of the Spirit of God and born of a virgin

Ahaz only recieved a glimpse of the sign of Immanuel

But in Christmas we celebrate the fullness of God with us

Christmas is inherently associated with peace and joy stemming from the fulfilled promises of Scripture

Now, through Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection, we have peace with God

And His constant presence brings us joy, assuring us He is with us in every crisis

No longer are we separated from God, for Christ has conquered sin, our greatest adversary.

Yet, amidst this profound message, there lies a challenge

In our culture, the true essence of Christmas often gets overshadowed

The biblical message of Christ's coming – the heart of the holiday – can be lost in secular celebrations

Christmas, despite being a time to commemorate God's ultimate gift to humanity, has become one of the most secularized Christian holidays

And it can creep in and begin to steal some of the amazement of the true meaning of Christmas

SECULAR VS SACRED

The modern secular Christmas is focus on shopping, decorations, and festivities — nothing inherently wrong with these things

But contrast with the sacred meaning of Christmas

The humble birth of Jesus - Immanuel, God with us

The divine orchestration of events thru history

And the fulfillment of a prophecy

We should cherish Christmas in our hearts

We should guard it and protect it and allow nothing to steal from it in our lives

We should never let earthly traditions overshadow the profound meaning of Christmas

God choosing to dwell among us should stir a feeling of awe with us

What secular gift can compare to the greatest gift of all — SALVATION

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

Maybe we need to take some of our traditions and add scripture readings to them

Or create new traditions that honor the birth of Christ

Celebrate advent with devotional readings leading up to Christmas to prepare you heart

Possibly you can find ways to focus on giving — remembering what we’ve recieved from God

Find ways of your own to make Christmas special

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Paul says that because of Jesus, we should consider ourselves rich in spirit because of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

If we let the world’s interpretation of Christmas sneak into our lives then we risk living like we're spiritually poor

Because we begin to exchange the riches in Christ for the things of the world

CLOSING

As we draw our Christmas service to a close, let it be a renewed call to wonder

A call to worship

A moment where we stand in awe of the divine story that unfolds in the manger

A call to a renewed sense of reverence for the miraculous acts of God

A call to see Christmas as an expression of God’s grace and love for us