Learning the Gospel from Matthew (Sermon 3)

Refresh our memories

Author: Matthew

Audience: Unbelieving Jews

Purpose: Among other roles, Matthew helps link Jesus of Nazareth to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies.

The phrase “the book of the generation” is only found in Genesis & Matthew.

What we learned from genealogy

Matthew connects Jesus to what two Hebrew Patriarchs? Abraham & David

Matthew listed three divisions in his genealogy

Each of these divisions consists of 14 generations

What are these divisions?

From Abraham to David

From David to the carrying away into Babylon

From the carrying away into Babylon to Christ

Genealogy and Grace

Matthew broke protocol by including the names of four women

Each of these women are connected in some way to scandal

Three of these women were involved in sexual immorality

All four women were included in the lineage of Christ by Grace!

What has Matthew established for his readers?

Jesus of Nazareth “could be” the Messiah-King

The Birth of Jesus Christ (Mt 1:18-25)

Matthew 1:18–25 AV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew now moves from the human genealogy of Jesus to the Divine genealogy

Who/what does Matthew emphasize?

Question: Does Matthew emphasize Mary and the virgin birth, or the Holy Spirit and the virgin birth?

Answer: The Holy Spirit’s role in the virgin birth

Holy Spirit and Jewish theology

Jews were familiar with the he Holy Spirit’s connection to creation, . . & re-creation!

They understood the Holy Spirit as the one who shares God with man

Espoused:

Joseph and Mary were espoused

Jewish order of marriage consists of three stage:

(1) engagement

(2) betrothal

(2) marriage

Engagement

Engagements were generally arranged by parents

Engagements were often made while the couples were young (even before they personally knew each other )

Betrothal

A formal ratifying of the engagement contract

Lasted one year

During this time the couple are considered husband and wife

During this time the couple does not live together, nor do they partake in sexual activity

Once the betrothal begins the marriage can only be terminated by legal divorce

Betrothal served, in part, to prove fidelity.

A twelve month time period exposed any pre-marital pregnancies

Marriage

Sometime after the betrothal year expired the husband and wife would have a public ceremony

Following the public ceremony the couple lives together as husband and wife

Joseph’s Dilemma

During the betrothal stage Joseph learns that Mary is pregnant

Being a just man he decided not to publically shame Mary

Was it possible Joseph partly believed her story?

Joseph’s Deliverance

Joseph was visited by the angel of the Lord

Joseph is officially informed of the Holy Spirits role in Mary’s pregnancy

Joseph’s Directions

Joseph is instructed to take Mary as his wife

He is instructed to fulfill his legal role in naming the child.

He is instructed to name the baby Jesus: (meaning “Jehovah saves”)

Fulfilled Prophesy

Matthew 1:22–23 AV

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Matthew is writing to a 1st century Jewish audience

He connects Jesus to Old Testament prophesy

Isaiah 7:14 AV

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Background to Isaiah 7:14

Time: 734 B.C.

The Jewish nation is divided between Israel (Northern Kingdom) & Judah (Southern Kingdom)

Ahaz is king of Judah, & is very wicked

Ahaz was threatened by two rival kings (Rezin & Pekah)

Isaiah assures Ahaz God would deliver Judah from these threats.

Ahaz does not believe God’s message and Isaiah gives him a sign that the prophesy would come true

A virgin would conceive a son, and before the child was old enough to know good from evil the threat would be dissolved

What you should know

the word Isaiah used for virgin is the Hebrew word “almah”

Almah is also used to describe a young, unmarried woman

It is sometimes translated as maiden, girl, or virgin!

The prophesy by Isaiah has a double fulfillment

It was fulfilled as a sign to Ahaz

Matthew saw the greater fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ

Conclusion

Matthew is presenting evidence to a 1st century audience that Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy

Matthew is establishing that Jesus could be Israel’s Messiah-King