Our topic will be “From a Hot Mess to a Holy Miracle”
- A Scandalous Beginning
- A Shameful Birth
- A Startling Truth
Last week we looked at the bloodline of Jesus to see that he was related to some notorious people:
1) Tamar – Played the prostitute
2) Rahab – A prostitute who helped the Lord’s army
3) Ruth – Moabite woman
4) Bathsheba – Had affair with King David
The Messy Conception (Mary’s visitor: Luke 1:26-38)
- Teen girl who is pledged to be married
- She had kept herself pure for her husband to be (one year requirement)
- They were not allowed to be alone together or live in the same house, but considered
legally married
- Angel visits. (Mary is favored by God)
- She is told that she will be the mother of Jesus
- Jesus is the Son of God and will reign forever
- The child will come from the Holy Spirit
- She then shares the news with Elisabeth
- How would she explain it to anyone else?
The Messy Conception (Joseph’s decision: Matthew 1:19-25)
- His soon to be wife is pregnant
- Law says she should be stoned to death
- Joseph thinks about divorcing her privately
- An angel convinces Joseph to keep Mary as his wife
- Joseph brings Mary home to him, but they remain celibate
- What a way to start a marriage
The Messy Birth (No room for Jesus: Luke 2:1-7)
- Had to travel 70 miles for a census
- This trip could take 4-7 days (while pregnant)
- They made it to Bethlehem and there was no place to stay
- Jesus’ entry into this world was in a barn with animals
- He was wrapped in rags
- His crib was a feeding trough
The Messy Massacre (Matthew 2:1-7)
- Wise men saw the star of David and were looking for the King of the Jews
- King Herod was upset by this and called together some religious leaders
- He wanted to know where to find Jesus
- The wise men found Jesus and worshipped Him
- God warned them not to return to King Herod
- God tells Joseph that Jesus’ life is in danger
- Herod ordered the death of all boys ages two and younger
Jesus’ entry into this world was problematic and surrounded by messy situations.
God chooses a difficult beginning to a story that will have a beautiful ending.
Why do they call Him the Messiah?
