As a disciple of Jesus, one must believe in His unique beginning. He had to put on flesh, just as everyone else who is a living being. Jesus took on humanity because He was born of a virgin and, at the same time, maintained His deity since His Father was the Holy Spirit of God. Therefore, He was truly both God and man in a physical body. Matthew’s gospel lists for us His genealogy which leads back to solidify His Kingship; it traces it back to the house of King David. This was very important because Matthew’s gospel was penned to the Jews.
For a more described detail of Jesus’ childhood, we turn to Luke’s gospel. In last week’s lesson we jumped to the end of Jesus’ life. We highlighted His death and resurrection to show the hopes for those who are disciples of Jesus and there is hope and encouragement for us, as well. But this week we are going to go back and look at His humble beginning. Throughout His meek beginning and life, we can understand God’s thoughts and plans for Jesus’ life and how it would teach His disciple how they, too, were to live a submissive life, wholly dependent about God.
Have you ever wondered why God chose a lowly, inconspicuous setting for Jesus to be born? Joseph was a carpenter, not King. He was a common person and a righteous man. Mary was a young virgin, not a wealthy princess, but she was chosen by God, and God would be with her through all this fulfillment of prophecy. Matter of fact, she even refers to herself as a bond servant of God (Luke 1:38). As we study the scriptures, we can see God’s reasoning. Jesus was to be born into world of violence and tribulation, and with very humble means. We can know this through their offering, “to offer a sacrifice according to the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons” (Lk2:24). Even though He was a King, He would never live in a castle, because He kingdom was not an earthly one.
He would have a humble beginning with a victorious finish. He called his disciples to the same standard of living. We can find it interesting that Jesus called His disciples to follow Him without witnessing Jesus’ birth or childhood, yet they had to follow Him in simple trust. The disciples knew His immediate family. Sometimes they were perplexed at Jesus’ teaching, such as when He was speaking to the crowd, someone said to Him, “your mother and brothers are standing outside seeking to speak with You.” His answer was not expected, but a clarifying one. Who were His true family at this stage of His life? Read Matt 12:48,49, but the answer to their new status, is verse 50; “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
There is so much more we could consider, but I don’t have the space to elaborate. Please make plans to join me on Sunday to answer the question Nathaniel asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).
In Christ,
Steve