In The Fullness of Time
Dr. Randy White | December 18, 2022
The Birth of Jesus Christ is the story we think we all know
It may be the most unknown of all known stories!
It is almost always presented as an almost random act of God.
It is no mistake that both accounts of the birth of Jesus are deeply connected in History.
Matthew begins with a genealogy.
Luke begins with a defense of the accuracy of his history, and follows with a genealogy.
The birth of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of prophecies that go back to the very beginning of the Bible and permeate the pages of the Hebrew Scriptures.
permeate the pages of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Genesis 3:15 – a Redeemer is promised and the search for the One who would crush the head of the deceiver begins.
Genesis 49:10 – An important promise that gives a glimpse of timing.
A promise of prominence is given to the tribe of Judah.
The promise indicates the preeminence of Judah at the birth of Messiah.
The promise says that the gathering of the peoples would take place under the Messiah.
Because of this promise, we can deduce –
Messiah must have come prior to A.D.70, when tribal identity was lost.
Messiah's coming must be in two stages, and it will be the second stage at which the gathering of the peoples will take place.
Other significant prophecies –
1 Samuel 7:8-17 – Messiah would be of the line of David.
Isaiah 7:14 –Messiah would be born of a virgin.
Micah 5:2 –Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Daniel 9:24-27 –Messiah would be cut off 483 years after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem.
The account of Jesus' Birth gives significant insight into the knowledge of his coming.
Nobody was surprised at the birth of Jesus!
Mary wanted a few details of the birth, but not of His ministry. She displayed a powerful knowledge of what was ahead for her child – Luke 1:34-38, 49-55.
Elizabeth had a full understanding of the identity of their own child (John the Baptist) as well as the child of Mary – Luke 1:42-45
Zechariah had a full understanding of the identity of his child, as well as the overall work and plan of God – Luke 1:68-79
The Song of Mary displays her knowledge in the ultimate work of God through the Messiah – Luke 1:49-55.
Simeon understood that he had seen the promised Savior, and even understood the suffering this Savior would endure - Luke 2:28-35
Anna understood that this was the Redeemer that all were looking for – Luke 2:37-39.
Joseph gives no appearance of apprehension or lack of knowledge in what the Lord is doing – Matthew 1:20-24.
The Magi from the east arrived, knowing who they came to see: the King of the Jews – Matthew 2:1-2.
The scribes knew exactly where to send the Magi – Matthew 2:4-5.
The birth of Jesus was the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise of redemption.
It came at the exact moment God had previously planned, fulfilling every promise of his Son's arrival – Galatians 4:4.
Jesus was made of a woman and made under the Law.
This is a much better translation than born of a woman, which implies natural occurrence.
Jesus was rejected as Messiah, crucified but rose again, became Lord of the dead and the living (Rom. 14:9) and today is presented by the Father as the Savior of the world.
Have you recognized that Jesus is the Savior or the world? Have you received the gift of life offered through Him, which He paid for on the cross and delivers as the risen and coming Lord?
