Virgins don’t have babies!
Everybody knows that and they definitely knew that when Jesus was born! So why come up with a virgin birth? Both Matthew (a tax collector) and Luke (a doctor) recorded this in their gospels. Luke must have specifically inquired of Mary because twice he records that Mary “treasured up all these things” in her heart (Luke 2:18, 51)—a comment that likely reflects some sort of personal chat with Mary as a doctor.
God wanted them to record this specific fact of supernatural conception by a virgin, since not one of the billions born has ever had this privilege. God the Father sets Jesus apart from everyone else from the very beginning, as conceived by the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Luke 1:35) It does not make logical sense to us, but it starts with a supernatural event. Appropriate I think, that a supernatural conception and birth should come at the start of a life, that would end in a supernatural resurrection from the dead and an ascension to the right hand of God.
It was predicted in Genesis 3:15, that “the seed of woman” would be the victor over Satan and sin. Also in Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Emmanuel.” Matthew who links what the Jews believed specifically recorded it as a prophecy fulfilled.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
God takes the initiative to save His people from sin (Matt 1:21) because no one on earth is able to save us. Mary is chosen for this, and no man is involved. She is not asked, but is a vessel: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:31). God acted.
So Jesus is born with a fully human nature (from His mother) and a fully divine nature (from God the Father). Why did He need both? He’s not half-half, but fully both natures in one human being.
Jesus is Human
Human, because every person born from the line of Adam is born a sinner. He had to be one of us, subject to the curse of sin, yet without sin.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.” (Heb 4:15)
Jesus had to be the perfect substitute for our sin, a perfect lamb, in order to take away our guilt before the judgement seat of the eternal God.
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Heb 9:14)
Jesus is Divine
Divine means that He is fully God.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” (Heb 2:14-17)
By His divine nature, the first sinless human is possible, since the sin nature that has been passed down through the father (Rom 5:12, 17, 19) since Adam. Now a perfect no sin nature is possible.
“Such a high priest truly meets our need – one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Heb 7:26)
So why is it so important for us?
- The Word tells us, will we believe scripture? If the Word also tells of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, why not believe the virgin birth? If the bible is our final authority on truth, will we believe.
- It reveals what we believe about Jesus? Was He divine? Or just a prophet, a martyr for his cause, a revolutionary, a divine leader? Is He God incarnate, the Lord of Glory, the Son of God, our Lord and Savior? The virgin birth guarantees three conditions that must be met in order for Jesus to be our Savior. He must be a man, He must be God, and He must be sinless. There is a direct connection between His birth and the cross.
- Finally, we need a Savior. Jesus fulfills the requirement of a perfect sacrifice for our sin and ultimately our salvation. Jesus, being born of the line of Adam can save us, where we could not save ourselves. Our salvation becomes supernatural, not achieved by our efforts, but by the grace of God. God does it all because we could not do any of it for ourselves.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)
Thank you Father that while I was still a sinner, You sent Jesus, your son, to die on the cross for me. You sent Him in the perfect way, by a virgin birth, to be a perfect sacrifice for me. Thank you Lord for Your grace and mercy to us.
Dear Heart Treasure Reader, wishing you and your family a special Christmas. As you gaze on the baby in all the nativity scenes, I hope you have opportunity to appreciate the virgin birth.
Why Tell the Shepherds?
Leave A Comment