The Birth of Jesus

Fulfilling our longing for redemption, Jesus, God the Son, was born a man.

TODAY’S READING: MATTHEW 1

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. — Matthew 1:18

Our culture seems fascinated with discovering our ancestry — what country we’re from and what our family’s story is. In Jewish times, this was incredibly important as well because people gained certain rights and status based on the tribe into which they were born.

This is why Matthew opens his Gospel with a genealogy and the story of Jesus’ birth. Matthew’s entire message unfolds to show us why Jesus is the one true King and Messiah. Matthew reminds us 16 times that Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies. King David’s bloodline brought us both Joseph and Mary. The prophecy from Isaiah 9:6–7 foretold the Messiah would come from the house of David.

1. Why do you think Matthew would choose to start with the genealogy of Jesus?

Matthew then told the story of Jesus’ birth. It was time for the prophesied Son of God to make His grand entrance into this world. By the power of God, the Holy Spirit, the One who is fully God and fully man, confined Himself in the womb of a virgin named Mary. This amazing miracle fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14.

2. Read Isaiah 7:14. Jesus’ name is Immanuel which means “God with us.” What does this mean for you that Jesus’ name is Immanuel, God with you?

With the birth of Jesus, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). God’s children needed redeeming. God, the Father, sent God the Son, Jesus, as the vessel for that redemption. Through that redemption, God provided a way for His children to fulfill the longings we’ve been exploring so far throughout our study — both the longings they could identify and those they could not. For it was, as it still is, God’s desire for His children to fulfill their longings in Jesus alone, not the things of this world.

~ Hannah Schindler

Excerpted with permission from 40 Days Through the Bible by Lysa TerKeurst and the Proverbs 31 Team.

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Your Turn

The most remarkable moment in all of history is the birth of the Son of God as a baby. Almighty God in the form of tiny, helpless, powerless child! Come share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you. ~ Devotionals Daily