Verse 18 of the first chapter of Matthew, gives us the historical document verifying the early teaching that Jesus was indeed born of a virgin. It says, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus was different. One writer said, “The spermatic matter that ordinarily produces human life was not needed for the birth of Jesus. Instead, the divine spirit entered Mary’s womb and was born as flesh.” The doctrine of the virgin birth of Jesus is one of the most fundamental doctrines of the faith. By means of the Virgin Birth, Jesus had the human nature of His mother and the sinless, divine nature of His Father. This made Him the only acceptable sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Yet according to one survey, of the ministers in training, 56 percent rejected the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, 71 percent rejected that there was life after death, 54 percent rejected the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, and 98 percent rejected that there would be a personal return of Jesus Christ to this earth.
The three giant pillars of the Christian faith are Jesus’ virgin birth, atoning death, and bodily resurrection. Take away any one of these and the structure of Christian faith falls. Taken out of the context of all three, any one of them is without meaning. Considered together, they comprise the greatest story ever told. We have wonderful reasons to celebrate the season. Without these truths, we’re still lost in our sins and have nothing to celebrate!
I just want to celebrate!
Chuck
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14