Monday, December 5, 2016

Christmas Devotional Day 5

Monday-December 5

The answer that Matthew gives concerning the question of "How did Jesus come" is found in Matthew 1:18-21.

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was   espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

The NIV gives even uses the word "how" in its translation of the verse.

 18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be   married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

How does the birth come? Through the Holy Ghost or Spirit. Matthew helps the reader to understand that the birth was by supernatural means! John informs us that sons of God are not born of the will of man but by the will of God (John 1:12-13)! Thus Jesus who is the Son of God does not come into this world because a man wanted a savior but because God, the Holy Spirit (John 4:24) wanted a savior for humanity.

The first step of the how He would come involved the will of God coming to a human. The second step was the person accepting the will of God. The third step was God took action!

 Matthew 1:20 (KJV 1900)

20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him   in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

How did God take action? He overshadowed a human, and this brought about conception. The fourth step was that a person took action and believed which brought the conception into our world! It was Mary that delivered the baby!

Matthew 1:21 (KJV 1900)

21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Yesterday we looked at Luke's thoughts concerning the birth and saw he focused on the qualifications of Mary, in that, she was highly favored (Luke 1:28).  Today we see that Matthew's twice states that the means of Jesus' coming would be the Holy Ghost! The work of the Spirit was a must for God's plan to come to fruition.

The Spirit must be the main thrust of the church. We must understand that we can do nothing without the Spirit! Prayer must precede service and ministry. We must seek the face of God to be able to do a mighty work of God in our world today! The Spirit empowers us yet we must take action!

Your Response:

Take time to slowly read the scripture. Meditate on the words that describe how He came! Pray and ask God to give you hunger for the Spirit! Pray that God will reveal to you His will and purpose for your life. Once you have received and believed your purpose in life, then take action to see it fulfilled!

 Matthew 1:18–21 (KJV 1900)
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

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