After completing Ezekiel I deliberated what to read next, and have decided to focus on prophecies and fulfillments relating to Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.
Prophecy that the Messiah would be born to a virgin
Isaiah 7:14 (written +-735 B C)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Fulfillment that the Messiah would be born to a virgin
Matthew 1:18-23 (fulfilled over 700 years after the prophecy by Isaiah)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
(Verses quoted are from the ESV)
It all sounds so clinical and simple. While it is true that the Messiah was much anticipated, who would have dreamed God would choose a poor peasant girl to give birth to Him? But I love Mary's response. There was no "Are you sure?" or "You've got to be kidding." or "Why me?"
When Yeshua the Messiah was born He came in a very unexpected way. His people were looking for a military warrior who would rescue them from the tyranny of the political injustice they suffered. But - instead of being born into a dynasty, He came veiled - yet not hidden! But we don't truly learn that tidbit until later on in the story....
As a young Jewish girl, Mary would have anticipated the birth of the Messiah! But I'm quite certain that she didn't have a clue what that would mean for the one who was chosen to give birth to Him. When she approached Joseph to tell him an angel had visited her and what Gabriel told her, it is apparent he didn't believe a word she said. The moment that she thought was going to bring shared joy ended up being a devastating betrayal, when she had to endure the pain of the doubt in his eyes. Joseph believed she was lying.
But, because he truly loved her, even in his deepest hurt of thinking she had been unfaithful to their commitment, he vowed to handle the problem privately instead of having her stoned to death.
And - even after an angel appeared to him in a dream and affirmed what Mary had told him - that the child to be born was indeed the Son of God - can you imagine what it was like for the two of them to go to their families with this preposterous story?
It makes me think about the heartbreaks God allows in our lives. They can either propel us to Him or away from Him. Mary and Joseph did not get to enjoy some sort of safe passage because of the responsibility they were given. Quite the opposite. They were chosen - and they were trustworthy and faithful. Absolutely inspirational!
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