Scriptures for Today
Matthew 1:18-25
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. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Introduction — The Book of Matthew
The book of Matthew opens by establishing who Jesus Christ is. The first part of the chapter gives the genealogy, proving that Jesus comes from the line of David. That matters because the Messiah was promised to come through that line.
And you see that the physical line of Jesus doesn’t include perfect people. In the flesh, Jesus Christ, comes from sinners, but yet He is without sin in His flesh.
Now we move from the genealogy to the actual birth of Jesus Christ. This is not just a birth story. This is the entrance of the Savior into the world. Matthew is showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy, the Son of David, and the one who came to save.
What Happened Before This? (Matthew 1:1-17)
Before verse 18, Matthew gives the full lineage of Jesus Christ. He traces the line from Abraham to David, from David to the captivity in Babylon, and from the captivity all the way to Joseph. This shows that Jesus is legally in the line of David through Joseph. That fulfills the promise that the Messiah would come from David’s line.
So by the time we get to verse 18, the identity of Jesus has already been established. Now we see how He came into the world.
The Birth of Jesus Christ — Not Like Any Other
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.
Mary is espoused to Joseph. That is a binding agreement, stronger than modern engagement, but they have not come together physically. Joseph had not yet KNOWN Mary sexually. Mary was a virgin at this time.
Before they come together, she is found with child. That immediately creates a problem from a human perspective. But the Bible tells you exactly what happened. She is with child of the Holy Ghost. This is not man. This is God. This is a supernatural conception.
Luke 1:34-35
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
The Holy Ghost is the Holy SPIRIT. He is not physical. This is supernatural creation and not a physical act like humans. There is no physical man involved at all. That’s the entire point of the virgin birth. Mary remained a virgin. She was not with a man. God created life directly.
God caused Mary to conceive without a man. Just like God created Adam without parents and just like God created Eve without a mother. God created a human body in Mary’s womb directly. Jesus is born of Mary, fully man. Jesus is without a human father. Jesus is sent directly by God. Jesus is called the Son of God and God with us.
Joseph’s Character — A Just Man
Matthew 1:19
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Joseph is called a just man. Notice the Bible says Joseph is her husband. They were espoused or spouses to each other. Legally they were husband and wife but had not come together yet physically.
“Not willing to make her a publick example.” That means he wants to do what is right. He is not reacting in anger. He is not trying to publicly shame her. He thought she had already been with some other man physically. He is thinking through what to do, and his plan is to put her away privately. Or divorce her privately.
He is trying to handle what looks like a serious situation in a way that is still right. Let’s look at this situation in the light of the Scriptures. Joseph thought Mary had been with another man obviously. Anyone would think that.
Deuteronomy 22:23-24
If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; 24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.
This is telling you that God is very serious about this. This is a very similar situation.
Matthew 5:32
But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Fornication is a sexual relationship before marriage. Now that Joseph and Mary are married, you would think that Mary had a sexual relationship before she was married. This would be fornication. According to the law in the Bible, a man could divorce his wife for this one cause of fornication. There is no other cause for divorce. “Saving for the cause of fornication” is the only valid reason according to Jesus Christ in Matthew 5.
God Steps In — Fear Not
Matthew 1:20
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Joseph is thinking on these things, and God steps in. The angel of the Lord tells him not to fear. What looks wrong is actually right. “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” She has not been with another man before marriage. She did not commit fornication. This confirms what was said in verse 18. This is not sin. This is God’s work.
Call His Name JESUS
Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mary shall bring forth a son. This is the central verse. “You shall call his name JESUS.” That is a command from God. Not a suggestion. Not a preference. God Himself chose the name. That name is not random. It is not flexible. It is not something people get to change around based on trends, languages, or what sounds spiritual.
God said His name is JESUS in the English language. That is a commandment from God. And today you’ve got people trying to change that. They say “Yeshua.” They say “Yahshua.” They try to mix Hebrew and English together like they’re discovering something new.
But the Bible you are holding in your hand, in English, says JESUS. That is the name God gave you in your language. WE CALL HIM JESUS HERE. And it’s very irritating and foolish to try to call Jesus something else in English.
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
That name has been given. Not guessed. Not reconstructed. Given. By who? GOD HIMSELF. His name is Jesus. You don’t improve on what God gave. You don’t make it more spiritual by changing it. You don’t need to go back and rebuild a language to get saved. God made it simple. JESUS.
Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
“For he shall save his people from their sins.” That is why He came. Not to make your life easier. Not to fix your finances. Not to improve society. Not to take over governments. He came for one purpose—to save people from their sins. And if you change the name, twist the message, or complicate what God made simple, you are moving away from the truth, not toward it.
And look, this is all simple. “He shall SAVE His people from their sins.” His people are all those who believe. When you believe, He saves you from all your sins. It’s that simple.
Fulfilled Prophecy — God With Us
Matthew 1:22-23
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
This was already prophesied—and not recently. This goes all the way back to the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
That was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born. God said it was coming, and then it happened exactly like He said.
Isaiah says a virgin shall conceive. Matthew says a virgin shall be with child. At conception, in that very moment, there is a living child within that woman. Make sure you understand what I mean. At conception, there is a child.
That means abortion, at any time, is murder. And that means it’s not okay. So, if you think abortion is okay, you need to change your mind right now. Because it’s equal to going out here and shooting and killing someone. It’s actually worse because that little living child is 100% innocent and without sin within the mother’s womb. Inside of the mother’s womb is supposed to be the safest place for that little child. But not out here.
Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
“A virgin shall be with child.” That is not normal. That is the sign. God said He Himself would give the sign, and the sign is supernatural. No man involved. No human explanation. This is God doing something only He can do.
“And shall bring forth a son.” Not just a child—a son. Specific. Exact. Fulfilled perfectly. A male. A man. A son. THE SON OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST.
“And they shall call his name Emmanuel.” Now don’t miss this. That does not replace the name JESUS. That explains who He is. Jesus is called many names within the Bible. “Which being interpreted is, God with us.” That is the meaning. This is not just a man being born. This is God coming into the world in the flesh.
So, many people will say that the Bible NEVER says Jesus is God. Well, there’s one time right there. GOD WITH US. Who? Jesus Christ. Immanuel. GOD WITH US.
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
That’s what you’re seeing right here. God did not send someone else to save us. He came Himself. God with us. God manifest in the flesh. Not distant. Not far away. Not sending a message from heaven. He literally came into this world. He physically came just like us to save us. That is who Jesus is. His name is Jesus and He is God with us. He is God in the flesh.
Joseph Obeys Immediately
Matthew 1:24
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Joseph wakes up and obeys. He could have not obeyed. But he wakes up and obeys immediately. No delay. No argument. No hesitation. He does exactly what God told him to do. He takes unto him his wife. He doesn’t reject Mary because she is pregnant and not by him. He doesn’t say, “I just don’t know if I can do this, Mary.” He obeys God. He takes unto him his WIFE.
And that’s a very important step of obedience. When I took MY WIFE, I took MY WIFE. She’s mine. I’m going to take care of her. When God gave us children, my wife and I are going to take care of OUR CHILDREN. Sometimes my children might not yet understand, but they will one day. Together, we love our children. We mess up. We aren’t perfect. But we love them together.
And a wife needs a husband that will take her. Children need a dad and a mom that will take them. And, look, if you didn’t get that right, it’s time to start getting it right today.
The Birth and the Name
Matthew 1:25
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Joseph did not know her physically until after Jesus was born. Mary remains a virgin until AFTER Jesus was born. That confirms the virgin birth. And then he calls His name JESUS, exactly like God commanded. He didn’t try change his name to something else like so many people do today.
The Bible says Joseph “knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son.” That word “till” matters. It shows a change after. He did not know her before Jesus was born, but that does not say he never knew her at all.
It also calls Jesus her “firstborn son.” Firstborn means there were others after. And the Bible confirms that.
Matthew 13:55-56
Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us?
Jesus had brothers and sisters. That means Mary did not remain a perpetual virgin. So the Catholic teaching that Mary stayed a virgin forever does not match the Scripture. The Bible is clear—she was a virgin before Jesus was born, and that confirms the miracle. But after that, she lived a normal marriage with Joseph. And there were other children.
What Happened Before All of This?
Before this, God had promised a Savior all throughout the Old Testament. The people had sinned. Judgment had come. But God promised redemption. Now that promise is being fulfilled right here in Matthew 1, right at the beginning of the New Testament.
Practical Applications
- Jesus came to save from sin. That is the purpose.
- God keeps His promises exactly.
- When God speaks, the right response is immediate obedience.
- What looks impossible to man is possible with God.
Conclusion
Jesus Christ came into this world for one reason. To save His people from their sins. That is why His name is JESUS. He is a miracle. He is the source of all miracles. This was not random. This was planned. This was promised. This was prophesied throughout the Bible. And God fulfilled it exactly as He said.
Let’s pray.
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