Study of Matthew

Part 2

Read Matthew 1:16-2:11

Matthew 1:16: And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.

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Look closely at that verse. In keeping with the pattern, shouldn’t it say, “And Joseph begot Jesus”? But it doesn’t. Matthew clearly says Joseph is the husband of Mary, but he’s not the father of Jesus.

Why was it important that Joseph was not the biological father?

-Christ was not born of a sinful nature (Adam’s Curse)

-Fulfillment of prophecy especially the Protoevangelium (Gen. 3:15)

It’s not a minute detail…it’s crucial.

In the suffering sacrifice of Jesus, He tasted death for every man. But He had

to be an acceptable sacrifice. 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. If he’s just another man, he’s not going to be able to help us very

much. Jesus must be Emmanuel, God with us, or He can’t be the Savior of the

world. Jesus took our humanity upon Himself so He might die a redemptive

death for us on the cross. That’s how important the virgin birth is.

Matthew shows to the Jewish audience the fulfillment of Scripture

Micah 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,

From everlasting.”

Hosea 11:1

When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.

Jeremiah 31:15

A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more.

Isaiah 11:1

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.