'Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise…' Matthew says he is going to tell us exactly how the birth of Christ was; and his account continues through Chapter 2.
Verse 22 states: 'Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying.' The birth of Jesus was according to divine promise. Although the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 is cited, the promise of Christ reaches to the creation of the earth. In the Garden of Eden, Christ was promised by God as the 'Seed of the Woman.' Throughout the Old Testament, as every sacrifice was offered, there was a reminder of the promise of a Perfect Sacrifice to come.
As the scene unfolded, the promise became more focused. The promise to Eve said that the Savior would be a Man; in the sacrifices of the Law, we are shown that He would be a perfect Man; and in Isaiah, we are given great detail. He would be a perfect Man, born of a virgin and would be God in the flesh! Matthew is careful to tell us that Christ came according to and in fulfillment of Divine Promise.
We learn from Scripture about the taxation of Augustus to bring Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, but preparation did not begin there. Christ came according to Divine Preparation. God prepared a chosen nation, a chosen tribe of that nation and a chosen virgin of that tribe.
God prepared the people, the place and the time for the coming of His Son. There is no greater example of the sovereignty of God that the birth of Christ. The stroke of providence is pronounced in a way unmatched n the history of mankind. Generations came and went, as God prepared. Empires rose and fell as God prepared. Men became impatient, and took matters into their own hands, and men turned to their own way. When the preparation was complete, Christ came.
Christ came according to divine power. 'Behold a virgin shall be with child.' Impossible? In man's power, yes; but in God's power, nothing is impossible. 'For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.' A conception outside the power of man, a birth outside the power of man, and a child outside the power of man is a miraculous birth.
As it is, the greatest manifestation of God's providence, the birth of Christ, is the greatest revelation of God's power. Why do so many infidels and modernists deny the virgin birth and deity of Christ? Because it is too great for them. Their concept of God is too limited. Even some who claim to believe that God created all things, cannot accept the virgin birth and the deity of Christ. They limit the power of the miraculous god to the explainable; the power of the supernatural Creator of the universe to the natural. There is no way to make it acceptable. To deny the virgin birth and deity of Christ is nothing short of Atheism. To limit the power of the true God is to deny His very essence. The birth of Christ was miraculous and according to divine power.
IV. The Birth of Christ was According to Divine Provision
Why was Christ born of a woman and made under the Law? Why did Christ come into the world? He came into the world to do something that no mere man could do. He came into the world to save sinners. John 3:16 states: 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…' God gave His Son. The coming of Christ to the world as a man was the ultimate provision for mankind.
God provided the sacrifice for man's sin, and that provision was in the death of Christ. However, the death of Christ had to be preceded by His birth. 'And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.'
The fulfillment of Divine Promise, the progression of Divine Preparation, and demonstration of Divine Power are wonderful. But, without the practical and personal provision for man's sin, these would be nothing more than spectacles. The birth of Jesus Christ had a relationship to every Old Testament and new Testament character and it has a relationship to us. If we recognize our sinfulness and receive God's provision in Christ, we will experience God's divine saving power.
Christmas is a celebration of the coming of Christ, but are you continually celebrating the coming of Christ into your life? Christ came into the world at a particular time. Can you remember a particular time when Christ came into your heart? If not, why not receive the greatest gift ever given? The Gift of Eternal Life!
