This sermon explores the birth of Jesus, emphasizing His divine nature, His majesty, and His mission to save humanity, encapsulating the essence of Christian faith.
Good morning, beloved family! As we gather in this sanctuary today, we are here to celebrate, to learn, and to draw near to our God who is ever so near to us. We are not here by accident, but by divine appointment. God has a message for us today, and it is my joy and privilege to share it with you.
Our Scripture passage today is a familiar one, but let's not allow its familiarity to breed complacency. Let's listen with fresh ears, open hearts, and renewed spirits to the words of Matthew 1:18-23:
"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. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')."
In the quiet town of Bethlehem, a miraculous event took place. It was an event that would forever change the course of human history. A young woman, who had never known a man, was found to be with child. This was no ordinary child. This was the Messiah, the promised one, the Savior of the world. His arrival was not marked by grand celebrations or royal proclamations. Instead, it was a humble birth, in a humble place, to a humble couple. Yet, this humble beginning marked the arrival of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Messiah.
This was not a random occurrence. It was a divine appointment. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, chose this time, this place, this couple, to bring forth His Son into the world. It was a clear demonstration of God's power, sovereignty, and love for humanity. He could have chosen any method to save humanity, yet He chose to send His only Son, to be born of a woman, to live among us, to experience our joys and sorrows, our triumphs and failures, and ultimately, to die for our sins. This is the manifestation of the Messiah.
The angel's message to Joseph gives us a glimpse into the divine plan. The angel tells Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. This is a clear affirmation of the divine nature of Jesus. He was not just a man, but God incarnate. He was fully God and fully man. This was necessary for Him to fulfill His mission to save His people from their sins. Only a perfect, sinless sacrifice could atone for the sins of humanity. Jesus, being both God and man, was the only one who could fulfill this requirement.
The name given to Jesus is also significant. The angel instructs Joseph to name the child Jesus, which means "the Lord saves." This is a clear indication of His mission. He came to save His people from their sins. This was not a political or military salvation, but a spiritual one. He came to save us from the power and penalty of sin, to reconcile us to God, and to grant us eternal life. This is the mission of the Messiah.
The fulfillment of the prophecy is another important aspect of the manifestation of the Messiah. The birth of Jesus was not an isolated event. It was part of a grand narrative, a divine plan that was set in motion from the beginning of time. The prophet Isaiah had foretold the birth of the Messiah, saying, "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). The birth of Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, affirming His identity as the Messiah, and His mission to save His people from their sins.
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