Matthew 1:18-25

Believers of today are drawn to Christ because He gave Himself upon the cross. He that was without sin reconciled us to God the Father, saving us from the wrath to come. We are not saved by the birth of Christ, but, by His death and resurrection. While His birth does not save us, it identifies Jesus as the promised Messiah who would save us from our sins.

“Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise . . .” (v. 18). Matthew provides details concerning the birth of Christ which are absent from other gospels. The Holy Spirit moved the human authors of the four gospels in different ways such that every audience might hear and believe.

Matthew was moved to reach out to an audience which was steeped in knowledge of Old Testament scripture. Throughout his gospel, Matthew points out occasions in which the Lord fulfilled that which He declared to His holy prophets no fewer than 13 times. The first prophecy which Matthew cites is in the text before us — Christ is born of a virgin.

Mary was found to be with child. Verse 18 states that the child was of the Holy Ghost. Joseph, Mary’s espoused husband, did not know this. He learned that Mary was with child and he knew that he was not the father. Joseph believed that Mary had been unfaithful and he planned to take appropriate action. He most certainly was not reflecting upon the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14.

Joseph had no reason to believe that Mary was the virgin of whom the prophet Isaiah had spoken seven hundred years earlier. He was about to have the marriage contract ended when the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream saying, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Joseph did as the angel directed.

Joseph did as the angel directed because he believed the words of the angelic messenger. Verse 19 states: “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man . . .” What is a just man? A dictionary definition states that just is that which is morally right and fair. Joseph was a just man. Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38, all state: “the just shall live by faith.” In God’s eyes, Joseph was more than morally right and fair. The Lord saw him as one who lived by faith. God saw one who would believe. God reveals the virgin birth to all who live by faith. The just believe God.

The angel addressed Joseph as “thou son of David.” In so doing, the angel gave context to the words that he was about to deliver. God had promised David that his son would establish a kingdom that would endure forever. Joseph was about to receive a message which would be linked to that promise.

He who would be born of Mary would establish the kingdom which would endure forever. The one born of a virgin would be Immanuel (God with us) [Isa. 7:14].

The angel told Joseph to fear not to take Mary as his wife because that which was in her was of the Holy Ghost. This assurance was given because it was necessary. Joseph, being a just man, would not take Mary as his wife if she were with the child of man. Mary was the chosen vessel to deliver a son which was of God. John the Apostle describes the one who was born of Mary as the Word — “the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1).

Joseph was instructed to name the child Jesus. Expressed in Hebrew, the name Jesus is Jehoshua meaning Jehovah saves. The Lord’s name shouts out the purpose for which He came into the world. Jesus is the one of whom Isaiah prophesied with the words: “. . . by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities” (Isa. 53:11). The one born of a virgin would save many from their sins.

The angel explained to Joseph why that he should name the baby Jesus: “. . . for he shall save his people from their sins.” Acts 4:12 declares: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Joseph was given understanding. God gives understanding to them who live by faith, to them who believe and walk according to His word.

“Now all this was done . . .” (v. 22). All which was done was done because the Lord had promised that it would be done. Matthew quotes the very scripture in which God said that this should be. God keeps His promises, and, He wants us to know that He will not fail to keep His word.

Joseph did as the angel had bidden. All who live by faith, shall be moved by faith to do God’s will. Knowing that God wants all men to come to repentance, let us declare Christ on every day.