The Importance of The Virgin Birth

Matthew 1:18–25
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Engaged means that Mary was already bound to Joseph, although they were not yet actually married. Hebrew marriages were arranged for individuals by parents, and contracts were negotiated. The marriage vows were said at the time of engagement and required a divorce to end them. The individuals however did not begin to live together but instead the woman continued to live with her parents and the man with his for a one year waiting period.

The virgin birth of Christ is undoubtedly the most essential doctrine underlying His deity. Mary and Joseph were in this one year waiting period when Mary “was found to be with child of the Holy Ghost” (v. 18). Being a good moral upright man and knowing the child did not belong to him, Joseph decided to divorce Mary privately and not create a public scandal. However while he considered what should be done “the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream” and told him that Mary’s condition was not caused by man, but through the Holy Spirit (vv. 19-20). The naming of the child Jesus means “Jehovah saves” (vv, 21-22). This points to the very purpose of Christ’s coming...

The angel orders Joseph to take Mary as his wife and he violated all customs by immediately taking Mary into his home rather than waiting till the one-year time period of engagement had passed. He brought her home and began to care and provide for her but there was no sexual relationships between them until after Jesus’ birth. Thus Mary was truly a virgin which fulfills the prediction of Christ’s virgin birth (Isa. 7:14) and is one of the most essential doctrines of the Bible (vv. 23-25).

Application

It is only because of the virgin birth of Jesus that He is special and can be my Saviour. If His concemption had been through an ordinary man who was a sinner He could have never saved me.