Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:18-25
“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” (Matthew 1:18).
Matthew 1:18 begins, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way . . .” but close reading shows that we are not yet considering the birth itself, narrowly conceived. It is more the story of the virgin conception of Jesus, as the eternal Son of God becomes a man. God’s Spirit forms the human baby in the womb of a virgin. His angel tells Joseph and Mary all they need to know to care for this child who was, months later, born into their family.
Matthew so describes the beginning of Jesus’ life that it foreshadows much of the rest of his life. Matthew’s account describes more than a birth. In fact, the Greek word translated “birth” in verse 18 is not the ordinary word for birth at all. To translate literally, Matthew says, “The origin of Jesus Christ was like this.” Matthew wrote his account so all may know the origin and conception of this virgin-born child named Jesus.
The story is told from the perspective of Joseph, and that makes sense. Through Joseph, his adopting father, Jesus receives vital credentials for his mission. Through Joseph, he is counted the son of David. This fulfills the ancient promise that Israel would have a David-like king, to rule the people with justice (2 Samuel 7:11-16). The Lord promised this through Jeremiah: “I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
The Israelites endured many an evil king while awaiting this Davidic deliverer. Sadly, they could have endured a thousand generations of disappointment unless something changed. But there were hints that God was orchestrating events, leading them to a climax. By the time of Mary and Joseph, the line of David had shown its sinfulness, its fecklessness. Indeed, in its calling to rule Israel, that line was exhausted and all but invisible.
For this reason, Matthew reveals that Jesus is from the line of David, but not from the flesh of David. The promises to David’s heirs showed that Israel needed a mighty deliverer, a great and fearless king, a warrior to battle foes, and a man who loves God and his people more than life itself. Yet the history of Israel had been a sad tale of failed king following failed king. Human flesh could not deliver God’s people. They needed something different. This lesson is universal: no king or prophet can deliver us, for flesh and blood by itself cannot save. No politician or physician, no teacher or preacher, no father or mother, can deliver mankind.
Matthew says God has been orchestrating the needed deliverance. Since the Lord often uses names to reveal his purposes, he gives baby Jesus more than one name; no single name could describe all that he is. The baby is called both Jesus and Immanuel. Jesus means God saves; the name is given “for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Immanuel means God with us. The name Immanuel, says Matthew, fulfills a prophecy.
The birth of Jesus “took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)” (Matthew 1:22-23, citing Isaiah 7). This is a surprise. The people had been looking for a son of David, but not for Immanuel. Perhaps no one genuinely heard the prophecy; nonetheless, Isaiah gave it. (The fact that we are deaf does not mean God fails to speak). The birth of Jesus, God’s Immanuel, fulfills several prophecies, some clear, others veiled. (Fulfillment of prophecy is mentioned often early in Matthew. See 1:22; 2:15; 4:14).
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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