The Virgin Birth of Christ took place as part of God's work of salvation. To read this story only in terms of the question, "Did it really happen?" is to read it superficially. There is, in this story, the call to receive Christ and His salvation. Joseph was not required to do anything by way of procreation. Nevertheless, he was invited to involve himself in God's purpose of salvation. He was invited to acknowledge that "what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20). He was invited to "take Mary ... as (his) wife" (Matthew 1:20). This also involved taking Jesus - not only as 'his son' but also as his Saviour. This is the Gospel invitation. God offered His Son to Joseph. He offers His Son to us. He invites us, like Joseph, to take Jesus - as our Saviour. From Joseph, we also learn the Gospel response (Matthew 1:24-25). He obeyed the Lord's command. He took Mary (and, with her, Jesus) but "He had no union with here ... " This was no casual thing. For Joseph, Mary and Jesus came first. For us, Jesus must come first. He gave Him the Name Jesus - "Saviour". This is what we must do - "Jesus, You are my Saviour."
The Virgin Birth Of Christ: What Place Does The Virgin Birth Have Within The Faith Of The New Testament?
Some tell us that the Virgin Birth is not an integral part of faith of the New Testament. At this point, we do recognize an important difference between Christ's resurrection and His virgin birth. There were many witnesses to His resurrection. The virgin birth story must go back to Mary herself. The Bible lays great emphasis on Christ's resurrection. We should not, however, conclude that the virgin birth story, because it is not emphasized so much, is not true! Looking at Christ's birth, His resurrection and all that lies between these two events, we emphasize His uniqueness. He entered the world as no other man ever entered it. He lived in the world as no other man lived in it. He left the world as no other man ever left it.At the beginning, the middle and the end of Christ's life, we are reminded that our salvation is supernatural. What we cannot do for ourselves, God has done for us. Concerning Christ's birth, His miracles and His resurrection and His miracles, we stress both the facts and their meaning. We do not have a profound meaning without historical facts. we have the facts which make the meaning - salvation - clear.
The Virgin Birth Of Christ:: Is It Intellectually Honest To Believe In The Virgin Birth Today?
The Virgin Birth Of Christ:: Can We Hold To The Meaning While Dispensing With The Fact?
Some want a ‘Christianity’ without the Virgin Birth. They tell us that the Virgin Birth story should be interpreted symbolically rather than literally. They tell us that people are entitled to believe different things. What are we to make of this kind of talk? Matthew’s account begins with a very simple statement: “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ cane about! (1:18). According to Matthew, “this is the way it happened”. When God’s Word tells us that this is what happened, what right do we have to suggest that it might have happened ion some other way? We must be careful not to argue with God. we should not question Him, echoing the words of the serpent - “Did God say?” (Genesis 3:11). There are several indications that the fact is to be believed. (a) Joseph “had no union with her until she gave birth to a son” (Matthew 1:25). Why are we told this? Is it not to emphasize. even more strongly, the miracle of God: “what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20)? (b) Mary asked, “How shall this be … since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). She knew this was most unusual, and she needed an explanation. She accepted the divine explanation: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you” (Luke 1:35). (c) “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Why would God’s Word lay such emphasis on this point if there was nothing miraculous about Christ’s birth? Our answer must surely be that here we are in the realm of miracle, and not simply the realm of nature. It may sound fairly plausible to say, “people are entitled to believe different things”. We must surely challenge this “liberty of opinion” where it conflicts with the principle expressed by Mary: “let it be to me according to Your Word” (Luke 1:38).
Let Christ Be ‘Born This Day’ - In Your Heart!
God is in control! Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Long before it happened, God had it planned (1-7; Micah 5:2-3). As we approach Christ's Return, God still has His plan. He is still in control. The birth of Christ is not merely an event from the past. It is also a message for the future. We look back so that we can move forward. We are fearful about many things. ‘What's the world coming to?’, we ask. God turns our question on its head: ‘Christ is coming to the world’. From His first coming, we look on to His Second Coming - He ‘will come to all the people’(10): ‘every eye will see Him’(Revelation 1:7). His Return invites us to ask another question: ‘when the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?’(18:8). For you, is it still ‘before Christ’? Let the ‘new age’ begin: Let Christ be ‘born this day’(11) - in your heart!
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
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