Matthew 1.18-25
The surprising birth of the Messiah
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Last week I preached on Matthew 1.1-18 and today I would like to continue with the rest of this chapter.
So we will spend some recapping vs 1-17 before we move on to vs 18-25.
Please open Bibles
Mt 1.1-17 – mostly genealogy of Jesus. Exciting!
Explain significance for Jews of genealogy.
Explain how the genealogy was put in there by Matthew to prove that Jesus is the Messiah
- a Jew
- a descendent of David – the Messiah must be a descendent of David.
Vs 1 – Jesus son of David – Messiah for the Jews
Vs 1 – Jesus son Abraham – also Messiah for all people – not just Jews
- Gen 12.1-3
Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Jesus is not just the Messiah for the Jews but for everyone – including us, if we trust in Him for salvation for ours sins.
So genealogy is not to bore us – but to prove that Jesus is the real Messiah
- true son of David
- true son of Abraham.
But then in vs 16 there is a sudden surprise.
- something very unexpected.
MT 1:15 Eliud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
MT 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
In this verse it says that Jesus was born from Mary, who was the wife of Joseph. But, notice, that Jesus was not born from Joseph! When Mary fell pregnant, she was a virgin. In verse 18 it says that Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Jesus did not have a human father! Now the genealogy, in the previous verses, is the genealogy of Joseph, not the genealogy of Mary, and therefore, in one sense, not the genealogy of Jesus! Now, why did Matthew use so many verses to speak about a genealogy that was not in fact Jesus’ genealogy? While the Bible does not clearly state why, I think that is possible to understand why.
Firstly, in Jewish culture, it was possible to adopt. Therefore, because Joseph was the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus, according to the law, Jesus was the son of Joseph. Therefore, according to law, Jesus shared the genealogy of Joseph. Legality is what was important, therefore Jesus truly was the son of Abraham and the son of David.
Secondly, which I think is more important, Matthew wanted to show that the spiritual origin of Jesus was more important that His human origin. During the lifetime of Jesus on earth, people considered that Jesus was the son of Joseph. Yes, it is important that Jesus was Joseph’s son according to the law. Because Jesus was Joseph’s son according to the law, just as we have already seen, Jesus was able to be the Messiah. But more important than any human genealogy was the spiritual origin of Jesus! Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit, therefore the father of Jesus was not Joseph, but rather, His father – was God!
In the Gospel of Matthew, 15 verses are used, in order to show the human origin of Jesus. 15 verses of Holy Scripture and then, in the 16th verse it says that Jesus was not the son of Joseph! Can you see the contrast? In the Gospel of Matthew, 15 verses are used in order to show the genealogy of Jesus. In order to prove that Jesus was the real Messiah and the real hope for both Jews and the whole world. The human genealogy of Jesus is very important.
Although this is so, the origin of Jesus from God is even more important. Truly, Jesus is the Son of Man. Jesus was a real human, but Jesus was not only a human. Jesus is also the Son of God.
So verses 1-17 tell us Jesus’ genealogy – concluding in vs 16 with the mysterious and tantalising wording, where Jesus is said to be Mary’s son – but says nothing about Him being Joseph’s son, at least by natural means.
So that’s a summary of verses 1-17, but now we want to go onto verses 18-25. But of course – the two sections are connected. And there is one interesting word that is used in both sections of chapter 1.
The Gospel of Matthew starts in vs 1 with the words – “the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ.” The word translated as “genealogy” in English is “γένεσις” in the original Greek – which means, “birth” or “lineage.”
So in verse 1, Matthew says, this is the book, or the record, of the γένεσις of Jesus.
Now what’s interesting is that in verse 18, this same word γένεσις is used. We don’t pick it up in the English because a different English word is used to translate it. But in Verse 18, where it says, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way,” the English word “birth” is γένεσις in Greek.
In other words, in verse 1, Matthew says that the genealogy that he gives in verses 1-17 is the record of Jesus’ γένεσις – or birth. And now in verse 18, he tells us how that γένεσις – or birth - happened.
So in vs 1-17, Matthew gives the record of Jesus’ γενεσις - what happened.
- and then from vs 18-25 he tells us how it happened.
He tells us how this birth happened.
And so, in other words, he goes on to explain about how Jesus was born without Joseph being his natural father.
So vs 1-17 tell us the record of Jesus’ birth – what happened.
and then 18-25 explain how it happened.
Read vs 18-25
Matthew 118 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
There are several points that Matthew brings out in these verses:
- Jesus is not conceived by a man, but His conception is from the Holy Spirit.
- However, legally, Jesus is Joseph’s son, meaning that He inherits Joseph’s genealogy, and is thus in the line of David and therefore the king of the Jews and the Messiah.
- Jesus birth fulfils a number of OT prophecies
- Jesus, of divine origin, has come in order to be God with us and to save us from our sins.
These are amazing things – and as we study this passage – stand in amazement at what God has done for us by sending Jesus to save us from our sins.
Let us unpack each of these points.
Jesus is not conceived by a man, but His conception is from the Holy Spirit.
Matthew makes it quite clear that Jesus was not the product of a normal sexual union.
Vs 18 states that before Joseph and Mary came together, that Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Also vs 20 – in a dream, an angel confirms that the conception of Jesus is from the Holy Spirit.
In vs 23 – Mary is stated to be a virgin when she became pregnant with Jesus.
In vs 25 – again stated that Joseph had no (sexual) union until Jesus was born.
From these verses, and from another verse in Luke 1.34, we have the doctrine of the virgin birth – that Mary was a virgin, at least up until the time of Jesus’ birth.
How can this be?
Major stumbling block to many – defies logic.
For some people, such as muslims, it is a major stumbling block as muslims think that we Christians claim that God had sexual relations with Mary.
But let us consider – how important is this?
Does this scripture really state that Mary was a virgin?
Firstly – the scripture really does say that this is what happened – in 4 places in these few vss. If the Bible is true, it really happened.
How important is it?
Does Jesus’ divinity rest on it?
Well – other places in the Bible tell that Jesus is divine and don’t refer to His virgin birth – eg the Gospel of John.
But – historically – it has been seen as important evidence and explanation of how Jesus can be both human and God.
We believe that Jesus is human – and God.
How much human, how much God?
100% human, 100% God.
The virgin birth helps explain this – His mother being a human – therefore He is 100% man.
His father – God – therefore he is 100% God.
- we can see in Mt – Jesus’ virgin birth important.
But His genealogy through Joseph also important.
- However, legally, Jesus is Joseph’s son, meaning that He inherits Joseph’s genealogy, and is thus in the line of David and therefore the king of the Jews and the Messiah.
Matthew used up 15 verses telling us Joseph’s genealogy.
But he also says it is Jesus’ genealogy – vs 1.
And yet we have seen that Jesus was not the biological son of Joseph
so how can this be Jesus’ genealogy?
Because – legally – Jesus was Joseph’s son, even if not biologically.
Matthew makes this clear:
Joseph was Mary’s husband.
When Mary became pregnant – she was betrothed to Joseph – [explain betrothal – and her age at the time.]
vs 20 – Joseph told to take Mary as his wife – vs 24 he did this – in other words, accepting Jesus as his own son.
Vs 21 – angel told Joseph to name Jesus.
Naming was the job of the father in that culture.
- vs 25 – Joseph names Jesus.
Therefore according to the law, Jesus was indeed Joseph’s son
- and therefore shared his genealogy
- the genealogy of the Son of David, the King of the Jews, the Messiah.
What an incredible birth! Can you see the picture Matthew is painting for us.
Incredible? Hard to believe? A child born from the Holy Spirit, whose mother was a virgin?
Yes incredible, hard to believe – but Matthew backs up his case by showing that these facts of Jesus’ birth were predicted in the OT hundreds of years before.
- Jesus birth fulfills a number of OT prophecies
In chs 1 and 2 Matthew frequently quotes from OT about details of Jesus’ birth. In our passage we have one important quote in vs23
Read vs 23
Matthew 123 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
This is a quote from Is 7.14.
Jesus’ virgin birth is prophesied in this Scripture – several hundred years before the event.
In Matthew chapter 2 there are also a number of other Scripture passages that Matthew quotes from to show that Jesus’ birth, and how it happened, was prophesied hundreds of years before the event.
When we look at ch 2 next week we will look at these other passages.
But notice what the name this passage gives to Jesus: Immanuel! עִמָּנוּ אֵל
which leads us to our next point:
- Jesus, of divine origin, has come in order to be God with us and to save us from our sins.
In this name, we can see – that God is with us!
Most of you have probably heard this name.
For your interest - עִמָּנוּ means “with us” and אֵל is “God”, a short form of Elohim.
We have already seen how Matthew shows us the divinity of Jesus with the virgin birth – and here we see it again in this wonderful name of Immanuel – prophesied so long ago in the time of Isaiah.
Try and understand how wonderful this is.
Jesus is – God with us!
God living amongst us!
The God who made us, who created the universe!
Jesus indeed is God – but also human
This is the wonder of the incarnation – the word used to describe how God could become a human – in Jesus Christ.
And it wasn’t just then 2000 years ago, that Jesus was with people
At the end of Matthew, Jesus gave us a promise:
Mt 28.20b And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We too, through the Holy Spirit, have Jesus with us now – God with us now! How wonderful!
And why did God come and live with us?
Matthew also makes clear with another name.
vs 21
- the name of Jesus.
In contrast to Immanuel – a unique name – Jesus was a fairly common name (Yeshua).
The same name as Joshua
Many of your Bibles will have foot notes to tell you that Jesus (Yeshua) means “The Lord saves”.
And vs 21 tells us Jesus will save His people from their sins.
Jews expecting a saviour – national – but Jesus came to save from sins.
“His people” – Jews thought just Jews.... what about Matthew – Mt 28:18-20 – now includes any from any race who believe in Jesus.
Summary
1st chapter of Mt – powerful testimony about who Jesus is.
Often we read these passages only at Christmas but the wonder of the incarnation – of God becoming a person like us – is a central part of our faith.
In this chapter, Matthew through inspiration of Holy Spirit gives us some amazing info:
- the birth of Jesus foretold in ancient prophecy
- Jesus fulfills all the requirements to be the King of the Jews, the Messiah – and the saviour of all who believe from any nation – by virtue of being the legal son of Joseph and the fulfillment of prophecy.
- Jesus’ birth was like to other. No precedent. He had no human father.
He was conceived by the action of the Holy Spirit – a supernatural, non-sexual action.
He is 100% human and 100% God.
For what purpose?
To save us - from what?
From our sins that separate us from God.
Friends, this Saturday is Christmas when we remember Jesus being born. But let us remember who this Jesus is. Let us take time to remember the wonder of the incarnation. In that stable, in that manger, that little baby was born to humble parents. But He was so much more than a little baby, He was God Himself, come to live as man. What love God had for us, that He should humble Himself, to become like us in every way except sin.
He did this, God the Son came to live like us, and not just to live like us, but when Jesus grew up, He suffered a death on the cross, to pay the price for our sins, so we could be saved from our sins, if we trust and live for Him.
