Pastor Welton Watson, Central Baptist Church
Matthew 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise....”
Here, we are given the fulfillment of the prophecy of Christ’s birth and particulars of it, over 700 years before it happened. Isaiah 7:14 gives the prophecy: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold; a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Not only was the virgin birth of Christ prophesied, but the place he would be born was also prophesied. Micah 5:2, says, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting.”
Matthew 2: 1 gives the fulfillment of this prophecy: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.”
Herod was troubled at this birth and asks all the chief priests and scribes where Christ should be born, and in verses 5, 6 is their answer, “and they said unto him, in Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet (Micah). 6. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art thou not the least among the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”
The birth of Christ had to be fulfilled according to the scriptures for it to be validated by God. It had to be a virgin birth, according to Isaiah 7:14 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.” This was fulfilled in Matthew 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
When the angel told Mary she would have a child, Luke 1:34 records her words, “Then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Translation: I have had no relations with a man. I’m a virgin, so it can’t be).
The virgin birth of Jesus is one of the mysteries of godliness, and I believe probably one of the greatest miracles in the scriptures, because on the fulfillment of this prophecy hangs the fulfillment of all the others in relation to the promised Redeemer of mankind.
I celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas even though I know it has been commercialized and has lost its joy and true meaning to many. It is a special day, and is to be a day of rejoicing and praise to our Lord. In Matthew 2:8-14, we see the reason for his birth, v. 11: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Then in verse 10, we see the rejoicing at his birth, “And the angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people,” and then in verse 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
If the angels rejoiced in celebration at his birth, we should also!