What the Lord had Spoken

Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew was writing to Jews, likely many already converted to or at least considering faith in Christ. Thus, his emphasis on Old Testament prophecies and how Christ fulfilled “what the Lord had spoken.” The point Matthew makes is the event, the birth of Christ, and all the details surrounding it didn’t happen out of the blue. These things had been spoken of for centuries.

In types and shadows, in promises and prophecies, the advent of Christ had already been made known. The prophets had long been pointing to that day. We see in this the wisdom and love of God.

We see His wisdom in that we need evidence and confirmation that something as miraculous and unbelievable as the incarnation was true. This also demonstrates God’s kindness and love. God being God, He could have intervened in human history this way without any forewarning, prophetic word, or any foreshadowing of what was to come.

When the Lord said through Isaiah, “Come let us reason together…” He was lovingly respecting our need to have evidence before we believe. He wouldn’t want it any other way. People speak of “blind faith,” and while it is true that at times we are left in the dark and simply have to trust, it is more often true that God brings us into the light, gives us the evidence, and makes the path toward faith as clear of obstacles as possible.

What Matthew is saying is believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and here are reasons why that faith is justified.