SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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, which means ‘God is with us.’ (Matthew 1:22-23) As we switch from reading Genesis to Matthew, we see the connection between the old testament and the new testament – namely, Jesus. Everything that happens before Jesus is an anticipation of His coming; everything that happens after Jesus is an application of His coming.
God has been working through the generations to produce the promised seed, “the one” that this world needs to overcome the serpent’s curse (Genesis 3:15) and restore it back to God’s kingdom paradise. We see in that family tree that God prefers to use the unexpected to get things done. He often bypasses the firstborn son to accomplish His plan (Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Ephraim, and later David). He also uses women of “questionable character or circumstances” to give birth to Jesus (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba – the fact that these women are mentioned at all shows this).
And now He selects a young unknown and unmarried girl to give birth to Jesus. This would be scandalous, and though Joseph wanted to “break the engagement quietly” so as not to disgrace her publicly, he also is shocked by the scandal that Mary is pregnant, but not by him. Why does God do things this way? According to Matthew, it’s been the plan for a long time, as Isaiah prophesied. And it has to do with how God does things. He chooses the weaker, the lesser, the humbler, while avoiding the big, the beautiful, the popular. Mary reflects on this in her song (Luke 1:46-55).
Jesus (which means ‘Yahweh saves’) is Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’). The lesson here is to see how God works. He is among us in unexpected and shocking ways (imagine Mary’s surprise). He does not operate according to our ways and preferences.
Look for Jesus today in the unexpected. Expect to be surprised. Stop and see that little child, listen to that secular song, learn from that non-Christian teacher, feel the heart of God expressed by that service agency, pay attention to what God might be saying through your sickness or crisis or pain. In the midst of it all, experience Jesus, ‘God is with us’!).
PRAYER:
Lord, open my eyes to see You everywhere!
LORD, often we think it would be so much easier if we could just understand why You do the things You do, why You choose the ways that You do to fulfill Your plans and purposes; the how comes; the what fors?
The questions are endless…… For every set of questions we also have ideas and thoughts as to suggest how You might / could have done things……
LORD, thank You that You are God and that Your ways are NOT our ways. Thank You LORD that it’s not about the questions and details but rather its about faith in You and the many ‘surprises’ that You bring to our lives. Thank You LORD that we are all part of Your ‘surprises’. Thank You LORD for the unexpected! Thank You LORD for the ‘wonder’ of it all!
Thank You LORD for the gift of ‘Immanuel’. LORD, help me to live so that others may know/ experience that You are with us always – yesterday, today and tomorrow! Thank You LORD that You sent Your Son to save a sinner such as I. Amazing grace!
LORD as Your great story continues to enfold, I eagerly await the pages of my life that You are still writing. There is so much more and for that LORD, I give You thanks and praise!
The genealogy makes it very clear. What God had promised to Abraham and David did come to pass. This reminds me of a book by Lucado – God Came Near. This passage tells us of the most important event in history – to save people from their sins – yet many did not ‘see’ the Word becoming flesh.
God came to Joseph and told him to take Mary as his wife. He did. God visits His people to help them on their way. Joseph did as told. And the Christ child was born. God with us. And He still is with us today. Immanuel! And how will I see Him today? Where will I see Jesus today? How will I hear Him in accents sweet and clear. How will He lead me and guide me so that I will not stray?
Thank You Lord for the gift of Your Spirit to guide me along the Way. Open my eyes Lord.
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
[or Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer…]
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.