Who Is He in Yonder Stall

Who Is He in Yonder Stall?

By Morris Proctor

Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25, especially verse 21: And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

Introduction: An old hymn asks, “Who is He in yonder stall at whose feet the shepherds fall?” That question and its answer are critical. If we answer incorrectly, we miss our Messiah. We can be mistaken about many things and still enter heaven, but we mustn’t be wrong about the Baby in the manger. He is the God-Man, both human and divine, two complete natures combining in one Person. Let’s investigate Jesus’ deity as discussed in Matthew’s account of the Christmas story. Mathew would make a good Sgt. Joe Friday of Dragnet because he gives “just the facts” without a lot of commentary (v. 18).

     1.     The Virgin Birth Reveals Jesus’ Deity (v. 18). Matthew states that Mary and Joseph were betrothed. In the ancient culture, parents arranged marriages for their children. When the “engaged” children reached mid-teens, they entered a betrothal period, and it was during this time that Mary became pregnant. There were only two options: either she was a virgin or she was not. Let’s assume she was not a virgin. Now we have two more options. Either she had relations with Joseph or with some other man. Nothing we know of Mary indicates unfaithfulness to Joseph, and nothing we know of Joseph indicates he would disclaim responsibility if it were his. If Mary had not been with a man, then she was, in fact, a virgin. How is that possible? When Mary asked that question Luke 1:34, the angel said: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Son of God is a Hebrew idiom meaning possessing the nature of God. Without His deity there is no explanation for the virgin conception and birth.

     2.     The Angel’s Words Announce Jesus’ Deity (vv. 19–20). On learning of Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph was crushed. But an angel appeared to him saying: “… that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” Literally, it is: “… out of’ the Holy Spirit,” implying source and substance. The substance or essence of this child is God Himself.

     3.     Jesus’ Mission Demands His Deity (v. 21). The angel continued: “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” The name “Jesus” means “God saves.” Jesus’ name and mission reveal His deity. Do you recall from algebra class a formula that states, “If A = B and B = C, then A = C”? God saves. Jesus saves. Hence, Jesus is God. Why must Jesus be God in order to save us? Sin created a penalty—“the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:9, nasv). The penalty for sin is an eternal penalty. If our Savior were a mere man how long would he be paying the penalty? Forever. We’d never be saved because the penalty would never be paid. If we’re to be saved we have to have a Savior who can pay an eternal penalty without taking eternity to do it. Only God Himself can do that (see Is. 43:11).

     4.     Isaiah Predicts Jesus’ Deity (vv. 22–23). Matthew refers to Isaiah 7:14, in which armies attacked the kingdom of Judah led by King Ahaz. Fear gripped Ahaz, and God instructed Isaiah to calm him by allowing him to ask for a sign. When Ahaz refused, Isaiah said, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” God’s promise was that a young woman who currently hadn’t known a man would bear a son. Before the boy was old enough to know the difference between good and evil, God would rid Judah of these invaders. The promise was, “Ahaz, when you’re afraid, relax and look at the boy, Immanuel. He is a sign that God is with you.” Matthew explained that the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 is Jesus Himself. He is a sign God will deliver His people. He is “God with us.”

     5.     Joseph’s Faith Embraced Jesus’ Deity (vv. 24–25). Hearing the angel, Joseph awakened and obeyed. What faith! It overcame crushed emotions and public ridicule. It overcame physical desire, keeping Mary a virgin until after Christ was born. What could fuel such faith? The fact that this was no ordinary conception. This was miraculous. This was God Himself.

Conclusion: How should we respond to Matthew’s Christmas story? Just as Joseph did. In this day of political correctness where Jesus is not to be mentioned, let alone declared to be God, we are ready to declare our Savior’s name. Who is that in yonder stall? He is Jesus, Immanuel, God with Us. My God is in yonder stall.

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[1]Morgan, Robert J.: Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook : 2004 Edition. Nashville, TN : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004, S. 362