The Birth of Jesus

The events associated with the birth of Jesus Christ are recorded in two of the Gospel records. They are found in Matthew 1 and 2, and Luke 1 and 2. Luke tells us that these events took place in the reign of Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1–2), which enables us to fairly accurately establish that Jesus was born about BC 4. Luke’s gospel also records the birth of John the Baptist and his appearance to the nation, putting this in its historical setting as well (Luke 3:1).

As we consider these events we are impressed with the exact details drawn from the prophets that foretell God’s purpose in raising up Jesus and the work he would accomplish.

Isaiah’s Prophecies of the Birth of Jesus

It was Isaiah who had delivered a specific message to the royal house of David, saying: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [meaning ‘God with us’]” (Isaiah 7: 14). This was fulfilled when Mary, of the line of king David, gave birth to her firstborn son Jesus, as foretold in Matthew 1:21–23.

Isaiah also foretold the future work of this one who would be born saying: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder…of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever” (Isaiah 9:6–7). From these prophecies, we cannot fail to be impressed with the fact that Jesus was born to reign over the kingdom of David at a time when that kingdom will be set up on earth forever.

The Message of the Angel Gabriel to Mary

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he told her of the special work that Jesus was to do. His words identify Jesus as the promised seed of David foretold in 2 Samuel 7:12–16: “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:31–33).

Let us consider the meaning of Gabriel’s message to Mary.

“thou shalt call his name Jesus” ‘Jesus’ is the Greek form of the Old Testament name ‘Joshua’ meaning “Yah (God) shall save”. Through Jesus, God was providing salvation from sin and death for all mankind (cp Matthew 1:21).

“he shall be called the Son of the Highest” He was to be the “Son of God”, the one promised to David in 2 Samuel 7:14 (cp Hebrews 1:5; Psalm 2:7).

“the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David” Jesus is “the seed” or descendant promised to David who will re-establish David’s throne and kingdom on earth (2 Samuel 7:12–16; cp Isaiah 9:6–7).

“of his Kingdom there shall be no end” The kingdom will have no end because Jesus Christ, who will be the King, is now immortal (2 Samuel 7:16; Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15).

In Gabriel’s brief announcement we have a remarkably clear definition of the work to be accomplished in this child who was about to be born.

• He would save mankind from sin and death

• He would be the Son of God

• He would be the Son of David and therefore

  • sit upon David’s throne in Jerusalem

  • rule over regathered Israel

  • establish God’s everlasting Kingdom on earth.

Mary’s response to Gabriel’s message was one of humble submission to the will of God. She asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” Gabriel’s answer was: “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:34–35). Through God’s Holy Spirit power, this child was to be born and would be called “the Son of God”, in fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies (2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 2:7, see Acts 13:32–33; Genesis 3:15).

His Birth in Bethlehem

The fact that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem had been foretold by the prophet Micah (Micah 5:1–2), but Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, over 110 kilometres north of Bethlehem. Mary was now close to giving birth and, humanly speaking, it would appear that he would be born in Nazareth. We see, however, God’s hand at work in the affairs of men to bring about His purpose (see Daniel 4:17), for at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that all the world should be taxed (that is, enrolled or registered). This necessitated Joseph and Mary making the long journey to their ancestral town of Bethlehem for this purpose (Luke 2:1–6). What then appeared to be a decision of a far-off pagan Emperor was, in fact, influenced by the hand of God in human affairs, for Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4–7; Matthew 2:4–6). Micah also foretold the future work of Jesus saying that he would be “ruler in Israel”. This will not be fulfilled until he returns to set up God’s Kingdom on earth.

The Joyful News of Jesus’ Birth

This event, so long anticipated by generations of God-fearing men and women, was proclaimed by the angel to shepherds on the slopes of Bethlehem: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11).

Luke 2:10 “good tidings” This is a translation of the same Greek word elsewhere rendered “gospel”.

“to all people” The good news associated with the Lord Jesus Christ is not just for Jews, but for all people, Jews and Gentiles alike. This good news is the message of salvation that God has offered through him (Mark 16:15–16; Galatians 3:26–27).

Luke 2:11 “in the city of David” That is, Bethlehem, the city where David had been born (1 Samuel 16:1). It was from this city that Israel looked for the coming ruler (Micah 5:1–2).

“a Saviour” Man is mortal and sinful and needs saving out of death. Through Jesus Christ God has offered forgiveness of sin and the hope of sharing immortality with Christ at his return to the earth (2 Timothy 1:10; 1Corinthians 15:21–23, 51–54). Therefore Jesus is “God’s salvation” for man.

The Wise Men from the East

Among those who had read the prophets and anticipated the birth of Christ at this time were “wise men from the east”. As soon as they arrived in Jerusalem they began to ask, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2). They understood from the prophets that the destiny of this newborn child was to be king of the Jews sitting on the throne of David (2 Samuel 7:12–14; Isaiah 9:6–7).

On hearing of the wise men’s enquiry, Herod was troubled and summoned the chief priests and scribes and “demanded of them where Christ should be born” (Matthew 2:4). They knew the answer at once from the prophet Micah and replied: “In Bethlehem of Judaea (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5–6).

From this we see that the Jews understood that

• Christ would be born

• in Bethlehem

• and he would “rule my people Israel”.

The Early Life of Jesus

The gospel records tell us very little of the life of Jesus in the period from his birth until he was about 30 years of age, when he was introduced to the nation at his baptism by John the Baptist (Luke 3:23). The only incident recorded was when he accompanied Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover when he was twelve years old. Here we read: “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:41–52).

Adapted from “The Exploring the Bible Course” by David Evans