Matthew 1:18-21
Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately. When he had contemplated this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
COMMENT & QUESTIONS
Why is the birth of Jesus important to the story?
It matters where people come from and what their background is. Matthew has informed us from the genealogy that Jesus comes from a line of Kings. He is now showing us that Jesus was born into the world. He is not a made up figure, but He is regarded as a true historical figure.
What difference does it make that Jesus was conceived miraculously?
Matthew shows that Jesus was not an ordinary man. His birth was not accidental or incidental, but it was the intention and plan of God.
PRAYERS
Thanks that God sent His son to save us from our sins Pray for those who are lost in sin. Pray for those who have their lives ruined due to sin.