Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Theme: Jesus the Messiah
Greetings: I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Joke:
Two men were discussing after their Christmas gift to their wives:
First Man: ‘My wife warned me that if I got her another senseless gift this Christmas, she would burn it.’ I brought a Gift, presented to her, and she burnt it.
Second Man: What gift you gave her?
First Man: I gave her a candle.
The first man asked the second man, what did you to your wife:
When I asked my wife what she wanted,
She said she’d be happy with anything with lots of diamonds in it.
Then I presented a pack of playing Diamond Cards.
TODAY, I would like to reflect with you three revelations of God in the Gospel of Mathew 1:18-25. The reflections are on Jesus, the Son of David the Messiah (he was the son of David, son of Abraham, son of Shem, son of Seth, son of Adam); Jesus, the Savior; and Jesus, the Immanuel.
JESUS, THE MESSIAH
The Word Messiah is the English translation of Hebrew word ‘Moshiach.’ The word ‘massoch’ means to anoint. The Jews were familiar with the anointing of Kings, High Priests and Prophets.
The Old Testament specifically records the anointing of the six Kings in the history of the Jews, namely Saul (1 Samuel 10:1), David (1 Samuel 16:13), Solomon, Jehu (1 Kings 19:16), Jehoash, and Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1). The Seventh will be the Messiah, who will hold three offices together. That seventh messiah was Jesus the Christ, who was anointed as prophet priest and king. (John 1:32-33; Acts 4:27; 10:38).
In fact, the prophecy of Messianic Era has started with the Blessing of Jacob as a Scepter shall not leave until the Lawgiver comes (Genesis 49:10). Then in Prophecy of Balaam’s fourth oracle. Balaam sees concerning a “star coming out of Jacob,” a “scepter arising out of Israel.” Balaam says that “he sees him, but not now,” and “he beholds him, but not near”. (Numbers 24:17). Here the Star and sceptre refer to a Person. The symbols of "a Star" and "a Scepter" are both ancient and widespread figures for kings or monarchs, in Israel it refers to Moshiach.
Jesus was a prophet promised by Moses after him (Deuteronomy 18:15), Messiah was prophesied through Prophet Nathan through Davidic Covenant for eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16), Messiah was promised through Prophet Jeremiah as the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34).
Therefore, the Messiah is a specific Davidic King according to Isaiah 11:1-11, Jeremiah 23:5-6, 30:7-11, 33:14-17, Ezekiel 34:23-30, 37:24-28, Hosea 3:4-5, Zechariah 9:9-10. The prophecies found in Deuteronomy 30:3, Isaiah 2:1-4; 11:1; 32:18; 60:18; 60:7; 66:20. Jeremiah 30:3, Ezekiel 11:17, Ezekiel 40-44, Micah 4:1 are referring to futuristic events under a messiah.
There were many false Messiahs before and after Jesus Christ. The HASMONEAN DYNASTY of Judea during Hellenistic times of the Second Temple period from c.?140 BC to 37 BC. YOSEF BEN MATITYAHU was appointed as the rebel commander in Galilee, and Eleazar ben Hanania as the commander in Edom, Menahem ben Yehuda in Jerusalem. These leaders were crushed by the Roman general Vespasian who was tasked by Nero in 67 AD. Titus besieged Jerusalem, Romans finally succeeded in breaching the defences in the summer of 70 AD. SHIMON BAR KOKHBA try to fulfill Jewish expectation of a homeland, a Holy Temple, and an end to the slavery under the Romans. Barcochab, signifies the son of a star. The final battle of the war took place in BETHAR, In 135 AD. Hadrian discriminated with worst persecution. He made anti-religious decrees forbidding Torah study, Sabbath observance, circumcision, Jewish courts, meeting in synagogues and other ritual practices.
The Jews expect a righteous person like King Josiah (2 Chronicles 35; 2 kings 23:28) would die in the battle and they would mourn for him. Jesus was not involved in the battle but died.
The Jews were fed up rejecting everyone and still awaiting for the One. They believe that:
1. Messianic era is a time or an age (Deuteronomy 30:8). Messiah would rule the world and he will transform the world. The rule of love and peace.
2. A king will come after the lions of David and will rule the entire world (Hosea 2:18; Zechariah 8:23, 9:9-17; 14:9). He will be a branch of David (Jeremiah 23:5-6; 33:14-16)
3. Exiles would be gathered back to Israel (Micah 5:1-5). Jews will be gathered and reunited in the land of Israel (Deuteronomy 30:3, Isaiah 11:11-12, Jeremiah 30:3, 32:37, Ezekiel 11:17, 36:24, 37:25).
4. Temple will be built (Isaiah 2:2-3, 56:6-7, 60:7, 66:20, Ezekiel 37:26-27, Malachi 3:4, Zechariah 14:20-21).
5. He will make people to return to Torah observances (Isaiah 11:1-9; 66:23, Jeremiah 31:32, Ezekiel 34:23-31; 36:26-27). National Repentance would take place and Embrace the Jews would embrace the Torah like the days of Nehemiah 1:9 -
6. During his era there would be a universal peace and universal divine knowledge of God. Jews will live in peace in Israel (Isaiah 60:18, Zechariah 14:11). Peace will spread throughout world (Micah 4:1-4, Hosea 2:20, Isaiah 2:1-4, Zechariah 14:9,16). Nations of world will have knowledge of Yahweh (Zechariah 3:9, Isaiah 11:9, 45:23, 66:23, Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 37:28, 38:23, Psalm 86:9, Zephaniah 3:9).
7. The whole world would worship YHWH (Zechariah 3:9; Jeremiah 31:34). Nations will turn to Israel for spiritual guidance (Zechariah 8:20-23, Isaiah 60:3,14, Jeremiah 16:19-21, Micah 4:2). (By Rabbi Simon Jacobson, and Rabbi Elia Cohen)
The Jewish community was expecting a great prophet than Moses, great high priest than Aaron, great warrior than Joshua, great king than David, great wiser than Solomon. The so-called great personalities of the Bible were born, lived and died. People have heard the powerful messages of Prophets like Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha and many other personalities, yet they were looking for a great leader and saviour who will live forever and ever. But Jesus is the Messiah, Amen.
JESUS, THE SAVIOUR
Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua ("he who saves") as the Greek name ‘Christ’ refers to the Hebrew name ‘Meshiach’ (messiah = anointed one). The original name was ‘Jesus the Christ’ which has been shortened to ‘Jesus Christ’.
The earlier saviours who were mentioned in the Old Testament had saved people from their slavery, from fear of enemies, thieves and foreign kings. But Jesus would save his people (Jews) and the whole world from their sins. The rebellion of Adam brought colossal punishment upon the human race forever. We live in a world that is problematic and painful. There is always some sort of bad news around us like unemployment, immorality, illegal activities, political strife, social division, economic collapse, civil war, military strikes, and poverty to the extreme.
This huge punishment is unbearable, lost paradise, pushed into separation, slavery to Sin and Satan. This Critical rebellion brought colossal punishment. The punishment was awarded because Sin entered (Romans 5:12). All were made sinners (Romans 5:19) but the compassion of God made provision for the Celestial Liberation. Sin brought thorns and Jesus endured a crown of thorns (John 19:2). Sin brought sweat of blood (Luke 22:44). Sin brought sorrow, and Jesus became a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). Sin brought death to all mankind (Romans 5:15,17, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Hebrews 2:9). All men were condemned (Romans 5:18).
‘There is a continual warfare between grace and corruption, in the hearts of God's people’ (Matthew Henry). ‘God declared war on Satan and gave the first promise of the Redeemer.’ (Warren Wiersbe). War is proclaimed between the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. One thing that is clear to us is that the Son of Man is the Seed promised in Genesis 3:15. The seed of the woman is a great theological point. Christ was born as the promise of God in due to season (Galatians 4:4). Biologically, a woman produces no seed, except, in this case. This promised Seed would, therefore, have to be miraculously implanted in the womb. In this way, He would not inherit the sinful nature which would disqualify every son of Adam from becoming a Savior from sin. This prophecy thus clearly anticipates the future virgin birth of Christ.
Luke wrote in the Book of Acts and said that there is no other saviour than Jesus (Acts 4:12). Matthew 1:21, 1 John 1:4:14 says that Jesus is the saviour of the world. Prophet declared that there is no other Saviour besides God (Hosea 13:4). I am your God and no other Saviour (Isaiah 43:11). John the Baptist introduced Christ to his followers as the Lamb of God, who takes away the SIN of the World.
Paul says that Jesus is the Saviour of all people (1 Timothy 4:10). Jeremiah 34:22 says that Jesus brings them into one flock. He saves them from their wicked ways (Ezekiel 3:18). He saves the perishing (Matthew 8:25). Jesus, He bored the sins of the people on his body (1 Peter 2:24), He died for Sin (1 Corinthians 15:3), He made the atonic sacrifices for the world (1 John 2:2). Forgiveness without blood is impossible (Hebrews 9:22).
Firstly, Jesus saves us from the effect of the Original Sin of Adam, which we have inherited by birth through our sinful nature. The efficacy of the SIN was passed on to everyone (Romans 5:12, 7:25). Secondly, Jesus saves us from the sins we have committed by our knowing and unknowing acts. The curse and its aftereffects are chasing us (Numbers 32:23). Thirdly, He saves them from lame and sick (Zephaniah 3:19). Jeremiah says that the saviour is amidst of you (Jeremiah 14:8-9). Matthew Henry states, “Where envy reigns, pity is banished, and humanity itself is forgotten.” The value of a man is lost.”
Once we believe in Jesus as Savior, we are forgiven from all our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Ephesians 1:7) and given the gifts of eternal life (John 10:28). “He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14; Acts 26:18). (Ref: Thinking on Scripture with Dr. Steven R. Cook).
The date of birth of Jesus has no clarity. Matthew claims that Jesus was born roughly two years before the death of Herod the Great (4 BC). Luke claims that Jesus was born during the governorship of Quirinus in Syria (6 AD). All the gospels record the ministry and death of Jesus during the Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate. Pilate reigned from 26-36 AD. The common date for the death of Jesus falls between 30 AD and 33 AD. (ref: worldhistry.org/Jesus Christ). But the efficacy of his birth, his death is experienced millions and millions around the World. But Jesus is the Messiah, Amen.
JESUS, THE IMMANUEL.
He is the Miracle worker (Luke 1:26-38), Holy one (Luke 1:46-55), Embodiment of grace (John 1:1-14), Source of Salvation (Luke 1:67-80), Saviour of the World (Luke 2:8-20), He is the Mighty God (Isaiah 9:1-7), and the King ( Matthew 2:1-12), and He is an absolute revelation of Godhead (Luke 2:21-35). The word Immanuel is the most used word during Christmas, the most sung word during Christmas around the world.
Background of the name Immanuel: Isaiah chapters 7–8 mentioned three children with symbolic names, such as Shear-jashub, which means "a remnant shall return"; Immanuel, means "God is with us"; and Maher-shalal-hash-baz, means "the spoil speeds, the prey hastens"(ref: Wikipedia).
This name was revealed at the context of a Syro-Ephraimite War (735-734 BCE). Isaiah 7:1–2 tells how the kings of Ephraim and Syria attacked Jerusalem and Ahaz refused to join them. So, God revealed to King Ahaz through Isaiah of the apparent sign: “a young woman will give birth to a child whom she will name him Immanuel ("God with us").
The prophet Isaiah brought the news of Immanuel to King Ahaz but the Angel Gabriel brought the news of Immanuel to Joseph. He brought when the Jews were afraid of the Roman Laws and regulations. Days are rolling, times have changed but the presence of God continues as Emmanuel. Situations, circumstances should not decide our stand. Our faith and trust in God must be beyond the circumstance and threats. The one who is with is greater, mightier than the one in the world. He is great and might. Immanuel is associated with us on all occasions and situations.
We have several examples in the TANAKH Bible or Old Testament, such as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, and prophets. It was the promise of God to Moses that he would be with them (Exodus 33:14), and he would go before them for the battle (Deuteronomy 20:1). David was always victorious in all his battle because of the Immanuel (1 Samuel 18:14). He said to God: if you were not with me I could have died in my distress. He had strengthened himself in the Lord.
New Testament gives many examples of Emmanuel by the Disciples and Apostles. John writes in his Gospel that this Immanuel dwelt among us with full of grace, love (John 1:14-18). John in his First Epistle wrote to his readers that he had seen, touched and experienced this Immanuel (1 John 1:1-3). Paul on his voyage testified that how he had the vision of God and the assurance of God that he would not die and God has spared the 276 people with him (Acts 27:24). Today, we experience Immanuel on every occasion and in every small gathering according to his promise given in Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Conclusion: Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Saviour and Jesus the Emmanuel would lead and guide us today and the days to Come, Amen.
CONCLUSION PRAYER: Lord we thank you for the mission of the church, to listen and follow the Word made flesh ... We thank you for all who proclaim the gospel, and help us to proclaim Christ faithfully. Pray for our social, economic, and political life of India. Help the Church to reflect the light of Christ, and build, sustain, and protect life of every kind in our nation and world. We pray for all who are left behind, isolated, harmed, or unwelcomed by the world, and for all who are sick.
