The Incarnation of the Son of God, part 2

Intro

If you would please turn to Matthew chapter 1, verse 20. The Lord has blessed us with the opportunity to study this Gospel account and if he wills we will continue on today in our study of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1:20, we’ll be starting towards the end of this verse, “... for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” Verse 21

Matthew 1:21–23 AV

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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.

We have a very powerful statement by the angel Gabriel here to Joseph.

The virgin woman, Mary, that Joseph is betrothed to is going to conceive a child by the Holy Spirit and that child is God himself who will save his people from their sins. This Child is the promised Messiah, that has been greatly desired since the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve.

We have seen many times that all of history in the Old Testament was pointing forward to this moment and the events that would soon follow with the God-Man, Jesus Christ.

Today, Lord willing, I would like to take a look at three points dealing with the incarnation out of Matthew chapter 1. The Credentials of Jesus, 2. The humiliation and lowliness of Jesus, and 3. The Mission of Jesus

1. Credentials

We are given in Matthew chapter 1 some vitally important credentials concerning who Jesus is and what he has come to do. Verse 1 begins by telling us that Jesus is the Christ-- the Anointed One, The Promised Messiah. He is the savior that has been anticipated since Genesis 3:15.

He is the Son of David, the Son of Abraham-- which makes Jesus the inheritor, or fulfillment, of the promises made to them. The Son of David is reiterated in Mt 1:20 in the angel’s address to Joseph, “thou son of David”, and since Joseph is the adoptive earthly father of Jesus that title of son of David would apply to Jesus as well. As we have seen in past sermons, this puts Jesus in the royal line of David; and it was through Mary that he was in the fleshly lineage of David.

Studying through the genealogy of Joseph, and if we were to study Mary’s as well, we see a need for salvation and we see progressively unfolding revelation of the Covenant of Grace. All of history has been ordered to accomplish the perfect timing of the incarnation of the Son of God and fulfillment of that glorious Covenant of Grace.

The very name of Jesus is also a credential to his person and work. Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves”, was given that name by God himself and it was used to identify the Son of God to the elect as their savior. Lord willing, we’ll look at that more shortly.

His name was also to show the world that this Jesus, whom God hath raised up, is both Lord and Christ. Paul wrote in Philippians 2:9-11,

Philippians 2:9–11 AV

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Further, God credentials Jesus as God Himself- Emmanuel, God with us. This fulfills Old Testament prophecy and quoting Isaiah 7:14 in Matthew 1:23 further proves that Jesus is the promised Messiah.

Remember that most Jews at the time of Jesus’ birth were looking for a king in the line of David to bring political freedom-- not for a Messiah, nor for God himself, to come in the flesh and bring spiritual freedom. Even though the Old Testament speaks to God coming in the flesh, most Jews were blinded to what was unfolding before them.

The Apostle John writes in John 12:37,

John 12:37–41 AV

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Without the working of the Holy Spirit no one would believe, and no one would hear nor see the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is through Holy Spirit regeneration that we are given a new will, a new heart, a new life-- with eyes to see and ears to hear that wonderful message of love and peace found in God’s grace.

As the Scripture says, God is with us-- the “us” being God’s people, the ones who are in the Covenant of Grace, the chosen and elect ones, the ones whom Jesus came to save-- his whole reason for taking on flesh.

The Son of God assumed a human nature, made in the likeness of man, and united his divine person to it. The human nature and the divine are united in him. They are united in One person, but they are two distinct natures-- in theological terms we call this Hypostatic Union. Paul described this well in Colossians 2:9, he says, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

The Lord has given his elect these credentials as to who Jesus Christ is so that they know what he came to do and who it is that has done this grand work.

In 2 Timothy 3:15 it is written that, “the holy scriptures... are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

We know about salvation through these revelations in the Holy Scriptures about our Lord Jesus and his Gospel of Grace.

2. Humiliation and Lowliness

The state of humiliation and lowliness began at the incarnation.

Jesus said,

John 6:38 AV

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Paul write in Philippians 2:5–8,

Philippians 2:5–8 AV

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The writer of Hebrews wrote, in chapter 2, verse 9,

Hebrews 2:9 AV

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

The humiliation began with the very conception whereby the second person of the Holy Triune Godhead set aside his glory and heavenly majesty to take on flesh. The humiliation continued in the birth process and the following growth processes of a man. This humiliation would continue through out his life and eventually his death. His glory would be taken back in his resurrection.

The lowliness of his life began at his birth. Luke 2:7, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Jesus was of no high regard, and had a family of no great rank or honor. Mark 6:3, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.”

The Old Testament prophesied of his low estate in Psalm 22:6-8,

Psalm 22:6–8 AV

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

The Son of God left a glorious heavenly realm to walk among sinners and live poorly.

Matthew 8:20 AV

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Even Jesus by his own words in calling himself “the Son of man” shows his lowly estate, so low in this case that even the creatures have a better living condition than our Lord.

Jesus endured temptations and attacks by the devil, even from the beginning of his ministry after Baptism. He lived as us, and endured hardships, trials, and temptations that we could never know.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity-- God himself-- took on flesh and endured all that he did for his people- for us. He gave up all of the glories of heaven for our sake's. Jesus asked many times, are you willing to give up all that you have to follow him.

Turn with me to Isaiah 53:2 please. This prophecy seems to sum up much of this concerning the humiliation and lowliness of our Lord Jesus during his earthly ministry.

Isaiah 53:2–12 AV

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

What the Lord God has done for us is more than we could ever comprehend. We are not worthy of such grace and mercy. Knowing what our sin is in God’s eyes and then seeing what the Son of God endured for us-- to sacrifice himself for us, to take the wrath of God that we deserve-- that should leave us ever humbled, ever grateful, and ever worshipful.

Praise God that we see Christ now-- no longer in the state of humiliation, but in an exalted and glorified state; dwelling in glory at the right hand of God the Father.

3. Mission of Christ

Next we look to the third point, the Mission of Christ. Turn back to Matthew 1:21 please.

Matthew 1:21–23 AV

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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.

The overall Mission of Christ was to Accomplish and secure the Covenant of Grace to the glory of God. There are 3 points to this found in verse 21 –

1) Save from sins, 2) His People, 3) He Shall Save.

1) Save from sins-- this is the promise and result of the Covenant of Grace. The name Jesus means “savior” or “the Lord saves”. He saves the elect from sin and the punishment due that sin.

Sin is enslaving; we are conceived in sin, we are born sinful, and unless saved from it we are in bondage to sin our entire lives.

The wages of sin is death and eternal punishment in hell-- that is the justice that sinners deserve for their wicked and rebellious lives. By nature mankind is sinful as it is inherited from Adam. Adam, as mankind's head and representative, has brought the curse of sin upon all. There is no escape from sin, from the curse of the fall, from the effects of sin in the here and now, and no escape from the punishment that is due that sin-- unless God pours out his free and sovereign grace on a sinner to save them from all of that. It is only by God’s grace, through Jesus Christ, that a person can be saved from sin.

2) His people-- His people, the elect, are the recipients of the Covenant of Grace and the salvation that comes from it. The Covenant of Grace was established in eternity, before the world was created, and in that consisted of the salvation of a chosen people.

Turn with me to Ephesians 1:5, please. This is a verse that really sums that up.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:5–7, “Having predestinated (predestinated meaning “to determine or decide before hand”) us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself (that is being reconciled to God, adopted by him, brought into his family), according to the good pleasure of his will, (not of man’s will) 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace…”

Ephesians 1:5–7 AV

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Of his own will and desire, God determined before hand to reconcile sinners to himself through the blood of Jesus Christ-- of whom come the forgiveness of sins. All of this is by God grace, and all of it is to his glory.

Romans 9:11, reads,

Romans 9:11 AV

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

God’s plans for his people are independent of what a person does-- his election and grace are determined before a person is even born and according to God’s Sovereign will.

Turn to Romans 8:29–34, “For whom he did foreknow,” I’m going to pause there. That word needs some attention. Some claim it means that God acted in response to what he knew someone would do. That is very wrong and runs contrary to the Doctrines of Grace. The word “foreknow” in the Greek has a personal sense, as opposed to an experiential sense. What does that mean? Experiential would be a knowledge based on knowing what someone would do, which I just stated is wrong. A personal sense is where there is a relationship. Not just a normal relationship though, it means to befriend someone before meeting. There is an exclusivity in choice of who someone will befriend or not befriend. The foreknow in this verse means that God affectionately and exclusively chose someone based upon his own will beforehand; in other words-- it is those whom he foreloved. Continuing on,

“... he also did predestinate (determined beforehand) to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (all a work of God, not by anything of man) 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son (by way of the incarnation), but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Romans 8:29–34 AV

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Those passages identify the elect as chosen before the foundation of the world and receiving God’s grace through the work of Jesus Christ. The elect are his people-- whom the Son of God took on flesh for and became a sacrifice for them appeasing the wrath of God.

3) He shall save-- the third point of Christ’s mission in Matthew 1:21.

Jesus Christ is the surety of the Covenant of Grace, and when first announced that the Savior was now coming, being conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a Virgin, it is declared that He Shall save his people. He shall accomplish the Covenant of Grace. And that, he did through his perfect, sinless life, his death, his burial, and his resurrection.

Hebrews 7:22 tells us

Hebrews 7:22 AV

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

In that Covenant of Grace Jesus was made the surety of it.

Benjamin Keach in his sermon, The Display of Glorious Grace, defines surety this way, “A Surety is one that undertakes for others, wherein they are defective, really, or in Reputation... a Surety is, one that engages to make Satisfaction for one, or more, or ingageth for others: It signifies likewise to give a Pledge... Also to strike Hands, (as in) Prov. 22:26.

Thus Christ is our Surety, i.e. he struck Hands (or made a pledge) with God for us in this Covenant.

I say, a Surety is one that undertakes for one or more Persons whose Credit is gone, or is not good; one not to be Trusted, or whose Faithfulness, or Ability is suspected.

Now, my Brethren, when Man had broken the Law of the first Covenant (with Adam), his Credit was gone or lost for ever; God would not enter into Covenant any more with him without a Surety, he knowing that Man’s Inability and Unfaithfulness in his Fallen Estate; therefore was graciously pleased to provide for us, or in our behalf”

Keach continues describing Jesus as our Surety, “As Christ engaged to God for us, to satisfie for our Sins, and to bring us into a State of Grace, and Peace with God, and preserve us in that State to the end, and to give Security to the Covenant of Peace (also known as the Covenant of Grace), which he is a Surety of, he is call’d a Surety.” (Benjamin Keach, The Display of Glorious Grace Or, the Covenant of Peace, Opened: In Fourteen Sermons (London: S. Bridge, 1698), 86-87.)

Please turn to John 10:7. Jesus willing submitted to the Father in being the surety of the Covenant of Grace-- he would stand in our place.

John 10:7,

John 10:7–18 AV

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Before the foundation of the world was formed, the Son of God entered into a covenant of grace whereby he would be the one who pays the debt for our sins.

Christ as our surety not only made an atonement for sin, taking the wrath we deserve, he secures us in himself that we may never fall out of or be removed from the Covenant of Grace. The elect are redeemed-- never to be refunded, they are once for all purchased as a treasured possession of God.

Jesus cried out on the cross, “it is finished”. In Greek that is all one word, tetelestai, it is a market term meaning the transaction is finished, or the debt is paid. Jesus, the surety of our salvation in the Covenant of Grace, paid our debt. A debt that we could never pay ourselves.

In Matthew 1:21 Gabriel said that Jesus shall save his people, and he did--

it has been accomplished.

With Christ as our surety, the elect are preserved in grace. The elect are reconciled to God, never to be separated again. And the elect have the promise of a future resurrection and eternal life in paradise with God.

Jesus said, John 6:39–40,

John 6:39–40 AV

And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

As our surety, Jesus brought us Peace with God and filled us with his love. Rom 5:1–5,

Romans 5:1–5 AV

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Without the work of Jesus we would have no access to God, as Jesus is the only Mediator between God and Man 1 Tim 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…”

Closing

Jesus Christ, the Son of God incarnate, ultimately came to bring glory to God. Everything that he did, even his humiliation, was to the glory of God. We receive the benefits, but he receives all the credit and all the glory.

In the Covenant of Grace is displayed all of the riches and glories of God, and in Jesus Christ fully accomplishing that Covenant-- bringing it to fruition-- God is honored and magnified in the most magnificent way his heart desires.

The salvation, redemption, and reconciliation that we have received are all because of God’s grace and for his glory.

There are many more blessings and benefits that we are given through the Covenant of Grace. It will take an eternity to count them all, but praise God, we will have eternity to glory in all of his blessings and grace in our lives.

Since we have started studying Matthew 1:18-25, many weeks ago, I have desired to bring out as much as the Lord would allow about the glorious doctrine of the incarnation. There is so much more to this doctrine and I hope that as we continue on, Lord willing, in the Gospel according to Matthew, that these great truths would continue to unfold. And if it be God’s will, the next time he gives opportunity, we will move on to Matthew chapter 2.

To God be the glory. Amen.