Jesus: God with Us

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When the gospel of Matthew tells us Joseph is Mary’s husband but not Jesus’ father, the natural question is, So who was Jesus’ father? Matthew 1:18 tells us:

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is not illegitimate. Mary was not unfaithful to Joseph. While some people deny Jesus’ virgin birth, no one can deny the Bible teaches it as an historical fact.

When the angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife, he said to name the baby, Jesus, “for He will save His people from their sins” (1:21). As a God-fearing man, Joseph understood that to mean Jesus is the Messiah.

The angel also said, “they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us’ (1:23-24). The only way we can call “Jesus, the Savior” is if He’s “God with us.”

We couldn’t die for the sins of the world; we can’t even die for the forgiveness of our own sin. We need a savior who is able to save us. Another person like us can’t save us. Jesus must be Emmanuel, God with us, or He can’t be the Savior of the world. Jesus became a man so He could die for us on the cross. That’s how important the virgin birth is.

When Jesus was born of a virgin, He fulfilled the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy, one of more than 300 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life highlights four seemingly unrelated prophecies that came about as God said they would. Here’s a snapshot of them:

Prophecy #1: Micah 5:2 says the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Because of Caesar Augustus’ census, Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

Prophecy #2: Hosea 11:1 refers to the Messiah being called out of Egypt. Because Joseph and Mary had to run from Herod’s murderous plot, they hid for a time in Egypt.

Prophecy #3: Jeremiah 31:15 foretold weeping in Ramah. Because Herod ordered the murder of all baby boys under two years old around Bethlehem, families in nearby Ramah mourned this tragic loss.

Prophecy #4: Isaiah 11:1 said the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. Once Herod died, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returned to Israel and settled in Nazareth, their hometown.

No matter how it seems from our limited earth-view, God today is weaving His beautiful plan throughout history—working all things together for our good and for His glory. His greatest glory? The praise and honor of His Son, Jesus Christ. Do you know Him?

1. Many people find the virgin birth impossible to believe. Why would you believe it?

2. Why is it important to understand the emphasis of Joseph being Mary’s husband, but not the father of Jesus?

3. What value does fulfilled prophecy in the life of Jesus have for your everyday life?

Additional Resources

Listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s complete teachings on Matthew 1:16-25 and Matthew 2:1-11.