Author Archives: Dave

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December 19, 2023

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Christianity, Christmas, Jesus

How do we know Jesus is the promised Messiah?

The Gospel of Matthew describes thirteen separate instances when Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled. Matthew presents these fulfilled prophecies as proof Jesus is the promised Messiah. At the birth of Jesus several specific and important prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled.

The first promise of the Messiah in the Bible is found in Genesis 3:15. God told the Devil that the woman’s seed would defeat sin and Satan. The choice to refer to the Deliverer as the seed of the woman is an odd one, unless the phrase “her seed” has a particular significance. The prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 reveals the significance of that unique description. “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” The seed of the woman is a child born without an earthly father. The birth of Jesus of virginal Mary fulfills these two promises. (Matthew 1:22)

A later promise of the Messiah is found in Genesis 49:10, “ The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” This is a promise that the Messiah would be a great ruler who would bring unending peace to Israel. The Messiah had to be a descendant of Judah. The genealogies of Jesus recorded in Matthew and Luke show Him to be descended from Judah by birth (Mary’s side of the family) and by adoption (Joseph’s side of the family).

Another, related prophecy, is that the Messiah would be a descendant of David’s with a legitimate claim to the throne of Israel. (2 Samuel 7:12-13) As the adopted son of Joseph Jesus is the legal descendant of Kings David and Solomon. Jesus is of the tribe of Judah and the family of David exactly as Scripture foretold.

The Old Testament foretold the birth place of the Messiah. “Bethlehem Ephrathah . . out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6) Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is a fulfillment of that prophecy. Jesus’ flight to Egypt fulfilled the words of Hosea, “out of Egypt I have called my Son.” (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15) The murder of all children in Bethlehem under two years old fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah. “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18) The timing of Jesus’ birth fulfills the promise given to Daniel that the Messiah would be cut off 483 years after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. (Daniel 9:25-26)

The fulfillment of these prophecies at the birth of Jesus are strong evidence He is the promised Messiah and the Son of God. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23) They support the Christian’s claim that Jesus is the eternal God and the Savior of the world. As a result, He deserves all worship and obedience. He should be believed, received and entirely relied upon to forgive sinners and save them from condemnation.

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December 12, 2023

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Christmas, Jesus

Was Jesus born of a virgin?

In the early 1950’s controversy erupted around a newly released translation of the Bible. The Revised Standard Version of the Bible was published in 1952 as a revision to the American Standard Version. The RSV translated Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman′u-el.” Older Bible translations read, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive.” The choice of “young woman” in place of “virgin” caused many to accuse the RSV of attempting to undermine key Biblical doctrines.

The virgin birth of Jesus is a key point in the Biblical doctrine about Jesus. Jesus had to be born without a human father for Him to be able to be a sinless sacrifice for sin. Romans 5:12 suggests the sin nature is passed down to every person from their father. The Old Testament is clear that a sacrifice for sin had to be physically perfect to be accepted by God. For Jesus to be humanity’s sacrifice for sin He had to be perfect. He could not be perfect if He inherited a sin nature from a human father, therefore, Jesus had to be born without an earthly father. Jesus had to be born of a virgin.

This doctrine is more than a theological construct devised by Biblical scholars many centuries after Jesus lived. The gospels of Matthew and Luke teach the virgin birth. When the angel Gabriel told Mary she was going to have a son, Mary’s question was natural and to the point. She asked how she could have a child since she had never had sexual intercourse with any man. (Luke 1:34) Gabriel responded that the child would be produced in her by the creative power of God working in her womb. (Luke 1:35) The child of Mary would not be fathered naturally, but would be supernaturally conceived in her.

The gospel of Matthew is particularly careful to teach the virgin birth of Jesus. When Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy he assumed she has been unfaithful. While he was still trying to decide what to do an angel appeared to him. The angel told Joseph, “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20) Three times the gospel of Matthew says Joseph could not possibly have fathered Jesus. Mary became pregnant “before they came together” (Matthew 1:18). Joseph “did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son” (Matthew 1:25).

Matthew’s most important declaration of Mary’s virginity is in verse 23. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us.” Matthew quoted Isaiah 7:14 to show the virgin birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus had to be born of a virgin to be the promised Messiah. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (Psalm 2:7). If Jesus is who Scriptures says He is- the promised Messiah of Israel, the Savior of men and the Son of God- then He had to be born of a virgin. The gospel accounts of Jesus birth are clear. Jesus was conceived in Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit apart from any human intervention. Jesus was born of a virgin.

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November 21, 2023

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God, Life Questions

Why can we be thankful?

In this time of worldwide turmoil some may wonder if there is any reason to be thankful. International turmoil, protests in American cities, political uncertainty and fears about global warming join with personal sorrows to make the world seem a dark and miserable place. Despite the incredible problems threatening the peace and stability of our world everyone has great cause for thankfulness. Despite personal tragedies a person may suffer everyone has an abundance of reasons to be thankful.

Everyone can, and should be, thankful because every good thing in life is a gift from Another. Thankfulness is necessary because the universe owes humanity nothing. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not owed to anyone of any nationality. Life itself is a gift and the continuance of life is the generosity of the Giver of life who sustains all things. (Colossians 1:17) Happiness and the things which bring it are gifts from the Source of all joy. (Psalm 43:4) The sun that fuels life and the rain that nourishes all creatures is the gift of God. (Matthew 5:45) The sun is God’s to do with as He pleases, yet He in His goodness chooses to send its rays across the entire world. (Psalm 19:4-6)

Psalm 104 teaches many reasons to give thanks to God every day. He is the Creator who formed the earth and rules continually over it for its protection. (Psalm 104:5-9) God sends the rivers and streams across the lands for the good of all the birds and beasts of the earth. (Psalm 104:10-12) God waters the earth with rains and satisfies it’s thirst. (Psalm 104:13) He causes all plant life to grow for the benefit of people. He gives daily bread and much, much more. He gives sweet fruit drinks to gladden hearts. He gives oils to refresh and cleanse. He gives bread to strengthen people’s hearts. (Psalm 104:14-14)

God plants the trees as a nesting place for the bird. He formed the hills and cliffs as homes for wild animals. (Psalm 104:16-18) God set the sun and the moon in the heavens to mark the seasons and days. He gives day and night for the good of all creation. (Psalm 104:19-23) All receive their food from the hand from God. “You open your hand, they are filled with good.” (Psalm 104:28)

Everyone has abundant cause for thankfulness. Even in tragedy and sorrow God’s good gifts are still evident. The food in the refrigerator, the sun in the sky, the birds in the trees and animals in the fields are all gifts from God. He sustains those gifts by His daily, gracious giving. Give thanks because all you have is from God. Give thanks because God has given you more than the basic necessities. Give thanks because God provides abundantly, sumptuously and generously for His creation. Though the curse of sin continues to be felt in every life, the gifts of God are greater. Thank Him for all He does.