Advent Day 3

“Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.”

                                                                                                            (Matthew 1:20-23 ESV)

One of the most important doctrines in Christianity is the virgin birth. Most people do not understand just how important it is. God uses a virgin woman to birth the incarnation of God, 100% Human and 100% God, with the ability to bear the burden of human sin and yet survive the wrath of God.

Women are scarcely mentioned in Bible genealogies; however, in Matthew’s Gospel, women are mentioned five times, and one is a woman of questionable employment. Sinclair notes the commonality between the women. For one, all were most likely non-Israelites. They had questionable marks over their lives. Tamar gave birth to twins of her Father-in-law Judah. Rahab, a prostitute; Ruth, a Moabite; Bathsheba, we all know about her and David. Luke does not mention these women in his genealogy, so why does Matthew air the dirty laundry?

I agree with Sinclair, who explains the following:

Matthew gives us clear biblical principles in mentioning these women

1)    God’s grace extends beyond His chosen Israel.

2)    God overcomes the result of sin and shame.

3)    God keeps promises we could never imagine.

Jesus did not come for those who are clean, the righteous, He came for the broken. Christ ate with sinners, I mean prostitutes, tax collectors, the worst of the worst. And yet He included them. He washed them clean and used them to display God’s glory. If God could use me, He can use you. Are you feeling like an outsider? Have you lived or are living a life you are not proud of? Does the weight of your sin crush you?

Place your faith in Christ or, if you know Him, refocus your life on Him this Advent. Be reborn again in the Spirit, cleansed in the blood of the Lamb, and restore your relationship with the one true living God.

Thank you, Sinclair.

Peace and grace.

Sinclair Ferguson, The Dawn of Redeeming Grace”, The Goodbook Company, 2021, 24-28.