DCLM Daily Manna 2024: DCLM Daily Manna 25 December 2024: The Virgin Birth of Christ
Text: Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before* they came together, she was found with child** of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child**, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
KEY VERSE: Matthew 1:23
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is one of the cardinal teachings of Scripture and is pivotal to the Christian faith. Unfortunately, many people allow traditions and festivities associated with Christ’s birth to distract them from the real purpose of His coming into the world.
Today’s passage narrates the circumstances surrounding the birth of Christ. He was born by a virgin named Mary, by supernatural means, in fulfilment of prophecy and to save the world from sin. Prophet Isaiah predicted the virgin birth of Jesus many years before it was fulfilled in Bethlehem. He described it as the sign from the Lord. The virgin-born would be named Immanuel, signifying the visitation of God to His people (Isaiah 7:14).
Isaiah’s prophecy was in tandem with the first promise made by God after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, that the deliverance of humanity would come through the “seed of the woman” who will bruise the head of the serpent and have his heel bruised by the serpent (Genesis 3:15). The virgin birth qualified Jesus as that “Seed of the woman” who bruised Satan’s head through His finished work at the cross.
The miraculous conception of Jesus conferred on Him the sinlessness required to be the world’s Saviour. For Him to be a sin offering for fallen humanity, He must be sinless. John testified about Jesus: “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). Christ was born to save mankind from sin. The question is, are you saved from sin? It is not too late to ask God for salvation and accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as sufficient for your pardon and justification.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Emmanuel means “God with us.” Are you with Him?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ezekiel 29-31
Daily Manna 25 December 2024
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