Scripture

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation

Mary is engaged to Joseph, but becomes pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph is going to break the engagement quietly so as not to disgrace her.

An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him that the baby within Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and He will save His people from their sins.

Joseph does what the angel commands. He names the baby Jesus.

Application

The equivocations of some theologians about the miracles in the gospels amaze me. There are quite a few who believe in the resurrection of Jesus, although maybe not a physical one. Some accept the healings but not the power miracles.

The virgin birth is a real stumbling block to some people. Our society is so obsessed with sex. People cannot or will not believe that Mary conceived Jesus without any sexual activity.

The God who created the universe would literally have no difficulty in inserting an embryo into Mary’s uterus.

This is important, because all humanity is conceived with sin. It is in our DNA. Jesus had to be sinless. He needed a new DNA, like that of Adam, so that he was completely free from inherited sin.

This little sentence in Matthew’s gospel is foundational to our salvation through Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Father, you can do anything you choose. Please help me to believe for miracles in my own life. Amen.

Scripture

Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth.

Observation

Matthew’s gospel begins with a genealogy, a list of the ancestors of Jesus. This list concludes with “Mary gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah.”

There are, in total, 42 generations from Abraham to Joseph, listed in three groups of 14 generations.

Application

I don’t get excited about genealogies in the Bible. The lists of names do not resonate with me. They were important for ancient people to locate individuals in the great stories of history.

Matthew mentions three women in his genealogy. This is a political or theological statement in its own right. Women are important and a big part of God’s plan.

Rahab helped Joshua’s invasion of the Promised Land. She was a prostitute. Anybody can be a part of God’s people regardless of their past.

Ruth was fiercely loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi through family tragedies. She clung to faith in the God of Israel, even though it seemed that God had abandoned them.

Bathsheba was widowed because of the lust and subsequent perfidy of David.

These women were all dealt bad hands in life, but in different ways remained faithful to God.

As a result, they became big names in God’s story.

Prayer

Lord, success in your kingdom is just being faithful to you. Please help me to trust you and obey you always. Amen.