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Matthew 1:18-25

Through his genealogy, Matthew has shown Jesus to be the seed of Abraham, the son of David. Jesus is the
heir to the throne of Gods nation Israel, and will rule over all the other nations, in the Kingdom Age as the
LORDs anointed King (Ps 2:6-8); Israels Messiah; the Christ.

But within that same genealogy, Matthew has inferred that Jesus was not the natural son of Joseph.
Looking back at verse 16, we remember that break in the line of descent, in the begots. Although Joseph
was the husband of Mary, he did not beget Jesus. And Matthew intentionally pointed out that Jesus was
born of Mary alone; Joseph was not His natural father.

Matthew will now go on to explain this; how Jesus was nonetheless fully qualified to be the heir to Davids
throne. In doing so, Matthew will reveal the completely unique origin of Jesus - requiring a creative act of
God - and how God foretold of His coming, through OT prophecy.

We begin in verse 18.

[Matthew 1:18-25]

So Matthew has given his account of the birth of Jesus, which would have been related to him, from others.
As we read through his account, would you say that Matthews primary focus is on Joseph, or on Mary?
On Joseph.

And well see that this continues in Matthews gospel, in chapter 2 - the focus is on Joseph, on his thoughts
and actions. Now, previously, weve noted that Luke records the perspective of the conception and birth
from Marys perspective.

Its fairly easy to see why Mary would be emphasized. After all, Jesus was born from her body, and Luke
shows the preparation of Mary for that momentous event. Marys preparation was not merely a matter of
being informed, but of being in agreement with what God was about to do; to consent with the Lords
purpose, which involved the use of her body.

But what about Joseph? His body would not be involved, in the birth. But well find that Matthew shows
the consent of Joseph to be every bit as important as the consent of Mary, concerning the birth of Jesus - for
a different reason, which ties back to his genealogy.

Lets go back now and look at the account more closely.

v. 18 Matthew makes no mention of where all of this was taking place, but we know from Luke where
Joseph and Mary were, at this time. Where were they? In Nazareth (see map).

Nazareth was an obscure little village in Galilee. It was about 65 miles from Jerusalem to the south, in
Judea - the religious center of Judaism. So Nazareth was the hometown of Joseph and Mary.

Matthew doesnt mention Nazareth, at this time - though hell make it a most significant point, later.
Matthew simply begins with the circumstances regarding of the birth of Jesus Christ - the origin of the
Messiah, the Anointed One of God.

Before that time, Mary had been betrothed to Joseph - that is, she was engaged to him. Now, in that day
and culture, engagement was much more significant and binding than it is in most cultures today.
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The decision to marry was usually based on the mutual consent of the man and the woman. It was common
for men to be close to twenty years of age, for marriage; and for women, thirteen or fourteen years of age
was customary.

A marriage contract, or covenant, was drawn up, usually by the couples parents. The two families met,
and the groom stated his intention to observe the terms of the contract already arranged, before witnesses.
At least part of the bride price was paid, at this time.

The period of engagement usually lasted about a year, during which time the bride and groom were
officially pledged to each other - they were legally considered husband and wife - although they did not live
together nor consummate the marriage until the end of the engagement period, at which time there was
often a 7-day wedding celebration. The engagement was therefore a binding contract.

Matthew discloses that it was during this betrothal period that Mary was found with child of the Holy
Spirit. And Matthew makes it clear that this was before Mary and Joseph came together - a euphemism
for sexual intercourse (eg, 1 Cor 7:5).

Notice the careful wording of Matthew, here. Mary was found with child; in the Greek, its even more
delicate than that: Mary was found, literally, in the womb to have; Mary was found to be bearing, or
carrying.

The idea in the word found is that this was perceived; most likely, people began to notice the change in
Marys figure. And that included Joseph.

Now, by this time, Luke informs us that Mary had been visited by an angel, who had given her the good
news - that she would have the unprecedented blessing of bringing forth the Messiah. Lets take a look at
that, in Lukes gospel. We find this in Luke chapter 1.

[Luke 1:26-38]

v. 26-27 This is the sixth month of Elizabeths pregnancy with John (the Baptist), who will be the herald of
the Messiah. Elizabeth is a relative of Mary.

The angelic messenger affirms for us that God is directing these events. Notice that Luke cites Joseph as
being of the house of David; in Davids line of descent.

v. 28-29 This would certainly have been an overwhelming experience - Marys eyes, perceiving an angel,
bright and shining from being in the presence of God; and her ears, hearing his message - and Mary -
wondering, in what way was she blessed among women? So the angel proceeded to explain that to Mary.

v. 30-33 In this statement, it would have been clear to Mary just how she was being blessed with the favor
of God. Mary would conceive in her womb, and a Son would be born to her. And the angel gave Mary the
name she should call this Son - Jesus.

The next series of statements make it clear just who this Son would be. He would be great - with the idea
of distinguished, illustrious, powerful, wise. And He would be called - that is, His title would be - the Son
of the Highest. Who would the Highest refer to? God.

The remainder of the statements would confirm this Sons identity to Mary as the One to whom God would
give Davids throne, who would rule and reign over Israel - and in fact, an endless kingdom - forever.
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Mary would know that the angel was saying what she was being blessed with was to bring forth Israels
Messiah.

Mary understood the Who and the what; but she surely didnt understand the how.

v. 34-35 The how that Mary didnt understand was how she could have a baby - since she had never had
sexual relations, with a man. Her statement bears out the fact that she was a virgin, and that she and Joseph
had not consummated their relationship prematurely. Since Mary knew of no other way to have a baby, her
question is completely natural - literally so.

And of course, the answer was for her to conceive this baby by supernatural means - as the angel
explained. Notice how Luke, like Matthew, uses carefully chosen words to describe what would be the
conception of this baby.

There is the presence of the Holy Spirit and of the Highest - God the Father. The idea is that the body of
this baby would be entirely created by the direct power of God, operating within Marys womb.

The Holy One confirms the Child to be the Messiah - the Anointed One of God. But He is also at the
same time, the Son of God; God, in a flesh body, prepared for Him by the Father (Heb 10:5), which
developed in the womb of Mary, to be born as a human baby into this world.

The angel continued, giving Mary a token to encourage her faith - to believe God, for what might seem
impossible, to man.

v. 36-37 Apparently, Mary was well-enough acquainted with her relative Elizabeth to know that Elizabeth
was a barren woman. It would have taken an act of God for Elizabeth to conceive a child - and Mary learns
that Elizabeth was now in her sixth month of pregnancy.

If the Lord could give life to Elizabeths barren womb, would it have been any more difficult for Him to
give life to Marys virgin womb? Not at all!

This would also have caused Mary to recall from the OT Scriptures another barren womb, that had received
life, from the Lord - and this woman was about 90 years old. Who would that have been? Sarah.

Remember that the LORD had waited until Abraham and Sarah were both well past their reproductive years
(Rm 4:19). This meant that the son that they brought forth - Isaac - was entirely the LORDs doing.

Isaac is a type of Christ as the Son that God promised - the Son that God Himself had to give. And just as
the LORD, through Abraham and Sarah, conceived the life of Isaacs body in its entirety in a barren womb,
so God would now conceive the life of the body of Jesus, in the virgin womb of Mary.

Mary was a believer in the Lord. She knew He could do anything. And now, she chose to believe Him, for
what would be done, through her, personally.

v. 38 Marys term, maidservant, shows the attitude of her heart. Its the word for a bondslave - who
submits to the will of the Master, for loves sake. Truly she recognized the great honor that the Lord was
giving her - to bring forth the long-awaited Messiah, into the world. And what a marvel, as to how He
would do it. Her response of faith came, without hesitation.
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We cant help but wonder if Mary had any thought in that moment of what the response of others would be,
to this good news she had been given. Would they believe, as she did?

Sooner or later, Mary would have come to the realization that some might not. But we see by Marys next
action that she took measures to encourage her own faith, by seeking out the token of which the angel had
told her.

Marys visit to Elizabeth not only confirmed that the barren Elizabeth had indeed become pregnant, but that
Mary herself had already conceived life in her womb, also.

The Holy Spirit revealed to Elizabeth that Mary was bearing her Lord - Israels Messiah - and she
proclaimed this, for all to hear. Even the baby leapt in Elizabeths womb for joy. Now, who was that baby?
John the Baptist. Here was John, heralding Jesus, even before birth! (Lk 1:39-45).

Mary rejoiced in what the Lord was doing through her, praising Him. She eagerly anticipated the arrival of
this child, who would be Israels Deliverer (Lk 1:46-55).

The confirmations that Mary received would serve to strengthen her, for what lay ahead - for there would
be many who did not believe as Mary did - and in fact, she would be greatly misunderstood. This would
begin with Joseph.

Lets return to Matthew now.

[Matthew 1]

Mary was with Elizabeth for three months, before returning home to Nazareth. It was sometime after that
that Mary was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

As mentioned, the idea in the Greek word for was found is most likely that others perceived that Mary
was going to have a baby. Would they have known the child was of the Holy Spirit? Of course not.

So we can surmise by Matthews words that others - certainly Marys family - began to ask her questions,
and that she shared what the angel had told her - indicating her childs supernatural origin. It would not be
surprising if Mary also shared what the angel had said about the barren Elizabeth. Probably the family
already knew from Mary by this time that Elizabeth was indeed pregnant.

Believing that a woman thought to be barren was expecting a child - thats one thing. Certainly, it was
amazing - especially for an older woman. On the other hand, it was still within the realm of possibility - in
the natural.

But believing that Mary had conceived a child into her womb as a virgin - of the Holy Spirit? And that
this child was the Messiah of Israel - and the Son of God? Certainly, nothing is impossible for God - but
why would God even do such a thing? Why would this be the way Israels Messiah came into the world?

Of course, we know He could come in no other way. The world needed a perfectly righteous man, who
would be their Sin Bearer; their substitute before God, to satisfy Gods justice concerning sin, and free
mankind from sin. Who is the only One with such perfect righteousness? God Himself.
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Therefore, God Himself had to be born in a mortal body - capable of dying - and further, God had to come
into this world as a baby, in order to fully live a life of perfect righteousness - in order to qualify as mans
Sin Bearer - and then to offer up that mortal body as the sacrifice for mans sin, to God - dying in their
stead.

And that body had to be created by God Himself, for the sons of Adam all had the flaw of natural death
inherent in them (Rm 5:12). The body of Messiah had to be flawless, so that it could only experience death
- through becoming the sacrifice for sin. So the Father created that body in the womb of Mary - prepared a
perfect body for His Son, that would become a perfect sacrifice (Heb 10:5)

For like reason, Messiah had to be born of a virgin womb - which had never been exposed to the
corruptible seed of man. In no other way could Messiah be perfect and pure; and so, the Holy One; the
born Son of God.

Matthew will go on to show that in addition, this was a fulfillment of OT prophecy; but at this moment, it
was highly unlikely that Marys family believed her explanation.

And it was apparent that Joseph did not. Lets continue with verse 19.

v. 19 Matthew calls Joseph Marys husband here. Remember that in the betrothal, the man and the woman
are already legally husband and wife. Matthew says Joseph was a just man, meaning that he was righteous.
Matthew is bringing out that Joseph believed in the Lord and so had the Lords imputed righteousness.
Joseph therefore sought to obey His Law.

During the betrothal, the marriage contract was legally binding; it could only be terminated by death or
divorce. Sexual infidelity during the betrothal was considered to be adultery.

The Law of Moses indicates that one who was betrothed and then committed adultery was to be stoned to
death (Deut 22:23-27). But by the first century, Roman rule had essentially abolished the death penalty of
the Jews, and so divorce was the typical course. In most cases, there was a trial, in which the adulterous
partner was publicly accused and repudiated.

But we read that Joseph did not want to make Mary a public example. Matthew conveys here the sense that
Joseph desired to spare Mary. He thought it better to obtain a private annulment of the contract, which just
required two witnesses - still legally correct, resulting in the divorce, but far more merciful.

It was a remarkably compassionate response to what Joseph could only have judged initially as a betrayal.
This suggests that Joseph genuinely cared for Mary. That he was able to temper his sense of justice with
loving kindness in this challenging situation is truly a reflection of his Lord.

Notice that Josephs reaction makes it obvious that he is not the father of the child - which Matthew
intended to emphasize.

v. 20-21 It would seem that Joseph had been lying awake, thinking about these things. The Greek word
Matthew uses that is translated thought actually speaks of the thinking derived from an aroused or
agitated spirit.

We dont tend to consider how all of this would have affected Joseph, because we know what happens next.
But think for a moment about Josephs current circumstances. He had become engaged to a young woman
that he had probably known for some time - maybe most of his life - its a small town.
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Joseph thought he knew Mary well - that she was righteous, and careful to keep the Law - and keep herself
- just like Joseph. They each consented to their marriage - just as he had chosen Mary, she had chosen him.

And now she was going to have a baby. How could this possibly be happening? And who could believe
Marys incredible explanation? Well, Joseph, for one, could not believe it!

What he believed instead was a natural explanation; and that he really didnt know Mary, after all. Yes, the
right thing to do was to end it - but quietly. He didnt want to hurt Mary. And in that state of anguish,
Joseph finally fell to sleep.

Did you ever stop to think about why the Lord simply didnt tell both Mary and Joseph beforehand about
His plan - but instead told just Mary alone? How else could the Lord have increased their faith - faith that
each of them would need, in the coming years?

Mary needed to bear the reproach of Christ from the beginning - to learn to shoulder a load, that she would
carry her entire life. Joseph needed to move beyond deliberating about the right thing to do, and learn to
simply follow the One who is always right.

The Lord was not only concerned with the One he was bringing into the world, to fulfill His plan - the Lord
was concerned for all the other ones - each of whom He has plans for, in their lives. It was for the sake of
Mary and Joseph personally that the Lord acted as He did - that they might believe Him, at His Word.

And now the Word of the Lord came to Joseph - in a dream - delivered by a heavenly messenger. Notice
how the angel addresses Joseph, in verse 20 - Joseph, son of David. Joseph is being referred to as the heir
of Davids throne - which he was - although without a ruler seated on that throne, this fact had descended
into obscurity.

Nonetheless, this was designed to draw Josephs attention to just what this situation represented - what was
at stake, here - and what Josephs part was to be, in it.

The angel reiterates what Mary had been saying - that the baby which is conceived in her is of the Holy
Spirit - a divinely created body, within the virgin womb of Mary.

The angel also confirms that the baby is a Son, and confirms the name that Mary was given, from the Lord
- Jesus - Jehovah is salvation. But here, the angel adds, for He will save His people from their sins.

The word that Matthew chooses for people, laos, is generally used for the nation Israel, whereas ethnos is
most often used for the Gentile nations. And Matthew would have been pointing specifically to the Jewish
people here, because this would have made it clear to Joseph that the baby that Mary was bearing was
indeed the Messiah of Israel - Israels Deliverer.

Of course, by this time, the popular expectation of Israel was that Messiah would deliver them from their
enemies - in particular, from their Roman overlords. Not too many were inclined to see their own personal
need of deliverance from sin. But for precisely this, Jesus first came - which Matthew emphasizes here, in
the record of the angels words to Joseph.

Now, the angel had given Joseph two divine directives in the dream, which Joseph was to do. What were
they? Take to you Mary, your wife; and you shall call His name Jesus.
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Remember that Mary is already the wife of Joseph, since they are betrothed. But now, the angel was
instructing Joseph to take to himself Mary - meaning to take her into his home.

This was regularly done at the end of the betrothal period, and often formalized with a wedding ceremony.
Although there was unlikely to have been any ceremony under the circumstances, by taking Mary into his
home, Joseph was showing that their marriage was now finalized, and that he fully accepted Mary as his
wife.

And Joseph was specifically instructed to give Marys son His name, Jesus - the name that the Lord chose
for Him. The acceptance of Mary as his wife and the naming of her son would serve to confirm Josephs
legal recognition of Jesus as his own adopted son. Only in this way could Jesus become the legal heir to
the throne of David.

Matthew now continues with his own comments, regarding the revelation made to Joseph, in the dream.

v. 22-23 The Holy Spirit revealed to Matthew that the events surrounding the birth of Jesus represented the
far-fulfillment of prophecy that was given to Isaiah about 740 years before, and was recorded in the OT
Scriptures.

Were going to discuss this prophecy more next week, as well as the passage from which it is taken, but we
can certainly see how the birth of Jesus represented a fulfillment of it, with life being conceived in the
womb of a virgin, and the birth of a son - the Son of God.

And Matthew provides a translation of the name that the prophetic son was given - Immanuel - God with
us. It is certainly a name that reflects who Jesus is.

In verse 20, the angel had said do not be afraid - meaning, do not hesitate. And when Joseph woke up,
we see that he didnt.

v. 24-25 In verse 25, the expression, did not know her is a euphemism for sexual relations. The
statement that Joseph didnt know Mary till she brought forth Jesus implies that he did have sexual
relations with her, after that time. In fact, the NT record shows that Jesus had half-brothers and half-sisters.

In these verses, we see Josephs faith in action. Joseph dismissed his previous thoughts, which were based
on his natural perceptions.

Joseph believed what the messenger of the Lord had shared with him, seeing now with eyes of faith the
reality - that Mary had been chosen to bring forth the Messiah, conceived in her womb of the Holy Spirit.

And Joseph recognized the part, that the Lord had given him to do - to accept Mary as his wife, and to
adopt Jesus as his Son.

But further than this, we can see that Joseph understood the deep significance of Messiah being born of a
virgin. We see this in the fact that Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary until after the birth of
Jesus.

Joseph understood that the body prepared for Messiah must be recognized as the divine creation that it is -
the act of God, and not of man - holy - and set apart to His purposes. Before He was ever born, Joseph
understood that Jesus is the Holy One - the Son of God.
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Reading: Isaiah 7, 8, 9:1-7; Jer 31:16-22; Phil 2:5-11