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The Virgin Birth
The Virgin Birth
Many people take a journey. A journey of spiritual doubt of themselves. In those moments of doubt, we may feel disconnected from our faith. Prayer becomes difficult. Some seek answers in books, some look to mentors, and some even distanced themselves from some church activities, searching both afar and within for something to help them understand this uncertainty.
In the Old Testament, several scriptural passages parallel the theme of uncertainty of faith, similar to the experience of Joseph and Mary in Matthew 1:18.
Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 12-21):
God calls Abraham to leave his homeland and promises to make him a great nation, despite his and Sarah's old age and lack of children. Sarah initially laughs at the promise of having a son (Isaac) due to this improbability, reflecting uncertainty and doubt.
Moses at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3-4):
Moses expresses doubt about his ability to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, questioning God's choice and feeling inadequate for the task. His reluctance and request for signs show his initial uncertainty about his role.
Gideon (Judges 6-7):
Gideon is called by God to lead Israel against the Midianites but doubts his capability, requesting several signs from God to confirm His command. This reflects his hesitation and uncertainty in his faith.
As we gather today, let's turn our attention to a passage that marks the beginning of a story both miraculous and deeply human. Matthew 1:18 serves as the opening scene of the life of Jesus Christ, capturing a moment filled with divine intervention and human response.
'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.'
In this single verse, we're introduced to the tension between the ordinary and the extraordinary. It is a moment where the divine enters into human history in a direct and personal way, and it's filled with uncertainty, hope, and faith. Mary's pregnancy, powered by the Holy Spirit, signals a new chapter in God's redemptive plan—a plan that begins not in the halls of power, but in the humble circumstances of an engaged couple in a small town.
As Matthew launched the account of Jesus’ birth, note that he was careful to highlight the title Christ.
Matthew 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”
To understand the significance of some statements in this passage, it is necessary to understand the Jewish marriage customs of the day. The bride and groom went through a period of betrothal or engagement. In that culture and time, betrothal was virtually as binding as marriage. In this waiting period, Mary was found to be pregnant. Matthew was careful to protect the virtue of Mary and the supernatural origin of Christ.
Why is it so important that the Christ, the promised king, be born to a virgin? The virgin birth is more than a miracle to draw attention to the unique nature of this child. Because Mary was a virgin, only God could have been the father of Jesus, making Jesus the one and only God-Man in all the universe. God’s plan would have been impossible if Jesus had been anything less.
A betrothed couple was as good as married, and breaking off the relationship was seen as divorce, even though the couple had not yet been married. It also helps us gain a better perspective of the emotional state of Mary and Joseph when we realize that she was probably in her teens at the time of these events. The minimum marriageable age in Israel was twelve for women and thirteen for men. To remain unmarried as late as one’s twenties may have been cause for social embarrassment.
Joseph's Response:
Initial Reaction: Joseph, being a righteous man and not wanting to expose Mary to public disgrace, considered divorcing her quietly. This reflects his initial struggle with the situation, as he was trying to reconcile his adherence to the law and his compassion for Mary.
Divine Intervention: An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. The angel explained that Mary will give birth to a son, and Joseph is to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.
Joseph’s Faith and Obedience: After the dream, Joseph's actions reflect a resolve to trust and obey divine guidance. He took Mary as his wife, enduring possible social stigma and uncertainty, showing faith that transcended the immediate confusion and potential doubt.
Mary's Perspective: While Matthew does not delve deeply into Mary's inner thoughts in this particular verse, her response is more elaborated in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26-38). In Luke, Mary also encounters an angel who informs her of her role, to which she responds with faith and acceptance: "I am the Lord's servant... May your word to me be fulfilled." This shows her willingness to trust in God's plan despite the unexpected and unusual nature of her pregnancy.
How do we as Christians respond to this story when we reflect how it affects us today?
The conception of Jesus through the Holy Spirit was beyond normal human understanding and represented a divine plan. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's overarching plan, even when they don't fully understand it. Trust in God's Plan.
Faith in the Unseen: Joseph and Mary faced societal judgment and internal doubts, but they chose to have faith in the message given to them by the angel. This teaches us to hold onto faith, even in the absence of immediate evidence or understanding.
When faced with doubts, Christians are guided to turn to prayer and seek wisdom from the Bible. Prayer and Reflection
Christians are encouraged to seek support from their church community or faith-based groups to discuss doubts and grow together in understanding. We reach out for Community Support.
Ultimately, connecting to Scripture during times of uncertainty can reinforce a Christian's faith and trust in God's plan. Understanding that biblical figures also faced doubts yet continued to trust in God's guidance.
The lessons we can learn from this passage are:
1. The unconventional circumstances of Jesus' conception remind Christians that God can work through unexpected and extraordinary means. This encourages openness to God’s work in ways that may defy human expectations.
2. Mary accepted her role in God’s plan with humility and obedience. Christians can learn the value of submitting to God's will and embracing their roles in His plan with humility.
3. And finally, Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary, chose to act righteously despite the unusual situation. This highlights the importance of acting with integrity and righteousness, even when faced with challenging situations.