Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Aim: To teach the pupil the basic truth that the birth of Jesus Christ was Jehovah God taking on human flesh in order to pay for man’s sins.

Golden Text: “Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

The words of this Golden Text tells us several things. Among them is the fact that the baby, Jesus, is called “Thy Salvation.” The truth of this is vitally important. Jesus Christ is the Savior of all men, Gentiles and Jews. What does that mean?

First, all babies born into this world are the offspring of Adam. Adam as the head of the human race sinned against God. Thus, all his children, their children, etc., were born sinners. There is an unchangeable divine law inaugurated at the time of creation. Every thing brings forth (produces) “after its own kind.” The only kind of child Adam could produce was a human child who was just like himself. Adam and Eve were sinners and every child born since are sinners, in need of forgiveness of sin, cleansing from the pollution of sin in order to be acceptable to God.

Second, Jehovah God, Emmanuel (another name for God), took on human flesh in order to die for the sins of man. Sin requires death. Death means “separation.” Physical death is separation of the spirit of man (the spiritual person of man) from his physical body. Spiritual death is the separation of the spirit of man from God. Eternal death is the separation of the spirit and body of man from God forever in place called the “Lake of Fire” as retribution for rebellion against Jehovah God the true God. Jesus came to deliver man from his sins. He paid for them so man could be free.

I. The angel Gabriel visited Joseph, who was engaged to Mary (Matthew 1:18-20). Joseph did not know that God had sent Gabriel to visit Mary (Luke 1:26-35). Gabriel informed Mary that she would give birth to a son, who would be “the Son of the Highest (God).” Though she had not had sex with a man, she would conceive by God the Holy Spirit (God would impregnate Mary) and bear this Son. This virgin born Son would be the King to sit forever upon the throne of David (Luke 1:26-35). As soon as Mary learned this she went to spend three months with Elizabeth (who was six months pregnant with John the Baptist). When she returned she was three months pregnant.

Joseph found out about it and was considering how to break the engagement to Mary because he thought she had been unfaithful to him. That is when Gabriel came to visit Joseph.

II. The angel Gabriel instructed Joseph in the facts concerning Mary, affirming that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the divine plan of God (Matthew 1:21-23). First, Joseph is to complete the marriage to Mary (vs. 20). Second, Gabriel said that she had conceived by the Holy Spirit (vs. 20). Third, the child she will bear is to be named “Jesus: For He shall save his people from their sins” (vs. 21).

“Jesus” means “Jehovah is Salvation.” It is the Greek name for the Hebrew “Joshua.” “Christ” is Greek for the Hebrew word “Messiah.”

Fourth, Gabriel instructed that this was done according to the prophecies of the Old Testament (vs. 22). He stated a prophecy given by Isaiah in 7:14.

“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” (Matthew 1:23).

Jesus Christ is the Savior of sinners, anointed by God. He is “Emmanuel”; that is, God with us. The baby Mary gave birth to in a stable in Bethlehem was the eternal God Who came to bear the divine punishment for sin. Only God could do that.

At this Christmas time let us all give thanks to Jehovah God that unto us a Son was given (Son of God) and a Child was born to Mary (Isaiah 9:6).