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"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
Jesus And Immanuel (1:18-25)
INTRODUCTION
1. In Mt 1:18-25, we have Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus...
a. Matthew tells the story with a focus on Joseph
b. Whereas Luke centers on Mary
2. Noble qualities of Joseph are certainly seen in this passage...
a. His tender consideration for Mary
b. His willingness to bear ridicule
-- Little else is known of him, for it is his adopted son who is the
primary interest in Matthew's gospel
3. The word "gospel" means "good news", and hints of just how good that
news is occurs in this passage...
a. Especially when one contemplates the names by which the son of
Mary was to be called
b. Such names as "Jesus" and "Immanuel"
4. In this lesson, we shall consider more closely these two names...
a. One which describes His OFFICE (what was He to do?)
b. One which describes His NATURE (who was He?)
[First we note that in his dream, the angel of the Lord tells Joseph
concerning the child to be born of Mary...]
I. "YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JESUS"
A. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS OF THIS NAME...
1. A very common Jewish name, often given in memory of Joshua
(the Hebrew form of the name, Jesus)
2. It is interesting to compare these two figures of history
a. Joshua led the nation of Israel into the promised land
(Canaan)
b. Jesus leads the people of God into the Promised Land
(Heaven)
B. SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS NAME...
1. Jesus (Joshua) means "God is Savior"
2. The son of Mary was rightfully called that, because "He will
save His people from their sins" - Mt 1:21
3. This Jesus would do by saving them...
a. From the GUILT of sin
1) By offering His blood as the atonement for their sins
- cf. Ro 5:8-9a
2) When one is washed by the blood of Jesus, He truly is
their Savior
b. From the POWER of sin
1) By sending His sanctifying Spirit to help His people
break sin's dominion
2) Paul writes of this in Ro 8:1-2,12-14
c. From the CONSEQUENCE of sin
1) I.e., the wrath of God to come
2) Cf. Ro 5:9; 1 Th 1:9-10
d. Ultimately, from the PRESENCE of sin
1) I.e., when we depart to "be with the Lord"
2) Cf. Re 7:13-17
4. And so the name of JESUS should be...
a. A very encouraging name to heavy-laden sinners
1) Souls which desire salvation may draw near to the Father
with confidence through Christ
2) For it is His OFFICE (function, work) to show mercy
- Jn 3:17
b. A very sweet and precious name to believers
1) For He continues to intercede in our behalf, to save us
from our sins
2) Cf. He 4:14-16; 7:24-25
[As stated in a popular hymn, "There is a Name I love to hear..." and
that name is "Jesus"! It may have been common in the days of Jesus,
but should be very special now to all who seek to be saved from their
sins!
As Matthew recounts what the angel told Mary, he adds that the birth of
Jesus also fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah in which it is said...]
II. "THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL"
A. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS OF THIS NAME...
1. Isaiah's prophecy concerning this name is found in Isa 7:14
2. In which a virgin would give birth to a child who would be
called "Immanuel"
B. SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS NAME...
1. Immanuel literally means "God is with us" - cf. Mt 1:23
2. This name describes the Messiah's NATURE; i.e., that He is
Deity!
a. Other passages expound upon this aspect of Christ's nature
1) He is "Mighty God, Everlasting Father" - Isa 9:6
2) He is "God", possessing the "glory of God"; the Great
"I AM", who shared in the glory of the Father prior to
His incarnation - cf. Jn 1:1-3,14; 8:56-59; 17:5 (cf.
Isa 42:8)
3) Declared to be "the Son of God with power" by virtue of
His resurrection - Ro 1:3-4
4) He was "equal with God" who willingly humbled Himself
- cf. Ph 2:5-11
5) In Him "dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily"
- Co 2:9
b. Human minds, finite and feeble, wrestle with this great
mystery, but Jesus was "God manifested in the flesh"!
- 1 Ti 3:16
CONCLUSION
1. Would you have a strong foundation for your faith and hope?
a. Then keep in constant view your Savior's name "IMMANUEL" ("God
with us")
b. For having become flesh, God understands our human plight - cf.
He 2:17-18
2. Would you have sweet comfort in suffering and trial?
a. Then keep in constant view your Savior's name "JESUS" ("God is
Savior")
b. For in sending His Son to die, God has offered a propitiation for
our sins - 1 Jn 4:9-10
Thus they called the Child, born of a virgin and raised by a carpenter.
By His resurrection from the dead, He proved true to His name. Are you
willing to obey Jesus as the One who was "God with us", and through whom
"God is Savior"? - Mt 7:21-23; 28:19-20
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© Mark A. Copeland, 2001
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