That fact makes the birth of Jesus a sign, and Jesus the unique son of God in whom we should believe (John 3:16). Matthew is clear that Joseph kept Mary a virgin until she gave birth to Jesus (Matthew 1:24-25). If Jesus's birth were an ordinary natural event, how would it be a sign of anything? On the other hand, if the mother had conceived being a virgin, and was still a virgin when she gave birth, then that would indeed be a sign. A birth in the ordinary course of nature is not a sign.Īs wonderful as it may be, human procreation occurs every minute of every day. The virgin birth was to be a "sign" from God (Isaiah 7:14). Peter testifies, "We did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye witnesses of his majesty." -a clear, evidential denial that Christ is a myth (2Peter 1:16). If faith in Jesus requires myth or legend to bolster it, then it is a vain faith, because the real Jesus, stripped of the legend and myth, becomes just another Ned Kelly, Robin Hood, or Davy Crockett. Myths, fables, and legends, are written not to embody great truths, but to make a hero out of one who, in real life, falls short of the ideal. The account bears no resemblance to the myths of the Greek and Roman gods or the unscriptural Jewish fables. This, and the rest of the story, is presented as straight facts and real events among real people. The story’s extraordinary point is that Mary was a virgin when she conceived, and was still a virgin when she gave birth.
The account, however, is straight forward and contains none of the trappings of fables. Were it written that Mary picked a pumpkin and found the baby Jesus inside, then well might we think we are reading a myth. The gospel nativity bears no resemblance to myth. You undo the entire garment except for a handful of buttons. Taking the supernatural element out of the story of the Bible, is like taking the thread out of a garment. The supernatural is woven inextricably into the whole Bible story -especially the story of Christ Jesus, his virgin birth, his signs and wonders, his resurrection from the dead, his ascension into heaven, his sending the Holy Spirit.Īll must be rejected if the supernatural and miraculous is rejected. Some people today won't accept the virgin birth of Jesus as a real event. Pharisees believed in the supernatural, but the Sadducees did not (Acts 23:8). They are like the Sadducees among the religious leaders of Jesus's day. Some professing Christians, however, do not believe in anything miraculous or supernatural. Millions of people believe it around the world, in every generation throughout the Christian age. Matthew and Luke tell story of Christ's birth as fact.
This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet, "The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold! A virgin will be with child and will bear a son, and she shall call his name “God with us”" (Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 7:14). Joseph took her as his wife, and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to her firstborn son. Before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
0 kommentar(er)
