The Incarnation of the King 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25.

  The telling of Jesus' birth is wonderfully familiar. Do not let the familiarity with His birth blunt the majesty and miracle of it. The Incarnation took place by the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a young woman, still a virgin. The holiness of this scripture resides in our belief in the divine act through the Holy Spirit, which brought the Incarnation to being.
  Matthew declares that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He also declares that Jesus Christ was born to a virgin named Mary. In Matthew's declaration he asserts that this Jesus is the one true expression of God and the one true expression of man.
  God came to us in Jesus of Nazareth so that we may know without any doubt what God is like. So God who created man in the beginning from nothing, who created woman from man without the intermediary of a man or woman, now created Jesus through Mary without the intermediary of a man. A miracle of God's majesty. The great Immanuel. There is no other.
  When I first came to faith, the question of the virgin birth arose in a debate with my earthly father. I asked him simply, "If God could split the sea so Israel could cross over, could He not do this?" To my amazement my father said, "Yes"! Our God is a miracle working God. May we experience this section of scripture, as if we just crossed the sea, and we were singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.

Discussion:

1. After reading Matthew 1:18-25 describe the godly attributes of Joseph (v. 19,20,24,25). What type of challenges did Joseph have to overcome? What type of challenges and attributes were a part of Mary's life?

2. The birth of the King is referred to with what three descriptive attributes (v. 18,21,23)? Explain them.

3. Matthew uses language that is referred to as fulfillment language (v. 22,23). Other scriptural examples of the promised Messiah are, Genesis 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:18; Numbers 24:17.

4. Read how the mystery of the incarnation has been revealed. John 1:1-18; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1:1-13; 1 John 1:1-3.

5. There are moments of affirmation of who Jesus really is in this world (John 14:9). Share any personal moments of affirmation of who Jesus really is and what they have meant to you.

6. If you have time contrast the birth of the King in Luke. How are they different? Give some reasons for the differences.

Discovery Section

  What have we discovered about the King? Who is this King? Is He a babe, a familiar story, or is He everything in your life? Someone once said, "either Jesus Christ was actually God or we do not have a full revelation yet".
  The full revelation is here with us today. His desire is to bring about His incarnation within our lives. To walk in "fulness" is what Jesus promised. Receive that promise today and everyday!