Matthew 1:22-23 New Living Translation
“All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: ‘Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel [1], which means ‘God is with us.’”
The key word I would like to focus on today is the word “fulfill”. If there is any doubt among believers that God orchestrates the events of history, causing or allowing things to take place for his own purposes, then consider this. The Old Testament, written by man empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, predicted to each precise detail the birth of Jesus. How else could anyone have known what was to take place hundreds of years after they had passed away? They couldn’t know, that’s the point. Since there are no coincidences in God’s economy, then what was revealed thru the Old Testament prophets must have been foretold by Almighty God as a means of preparing man for an event of monumental importance. I’d say the total forgiveness and removal of all accumulated sin for each created individual is monumental to say the least.
The name the child was to be called reveals who he truly was, the Son of God born of a woman, making him wholly God and wholly man. He alone could save mankind from the plight that awaited them. He alone, being wholly God, could live life as we were created to live; without sin. This is such incredible news. No matter what we have ever done in our lives we can have our slate wiped completely clean. As a stained garment can be bleached clean, so can our souls be made clean as well. All this in exchange for a changed life dedicated to living a righteous life for God. That is truly a great and awesome exchange.
Do you believe in the existence of God today? Do you know the total significance of the birth of Jesus, the birth that the world is attempting to make irrelevant in the minds and hearts of future generations? Christ is the only hope for a sin sick and dying world. Without Christ there is no hope at all and without hope there can be no life worth living. Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world like you never have before. He is worthy of all our praise, glory, and honor. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.
[1] Matthew is quoting from the prophet of the Old Testament in Isaiah 7:14.
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