I am always struck by how I have Bible stories in my head that are usually a composite of a singular event that is described by different biblical writers from different perspectives. The birth of Jesus is one such example.
Reenacted countless times in countless children’s church Christmas plays, the birth of Jesus takes its material from Matthew, Luke, and a few other places.
Matthew contribution is not extensive. Matthew reveals how God interceded with Joseph as he wrestled with Mary’s pregnancy.
And, this Gospel so often labeled as “the Gospel to the Jews”, we are given the story of the Magi—how at his very birth—Jesus is revealed as a Light to the Gentiles.
I love the composite story. Adding in all the details, creating a rich tapestry, all of this can be beautiful.
But sometimes detail clouds and complicates. Amid the shepherds, the wise men, and more, countless gallons of ink have been used in an attempt to explain it all.
And I am the kind of person that can get sucked into such endeavors. I love to study all the different facets of Scripture. Yet, it is easy to so immerse oneself into this sort of thing, that the point of it all gets lost.
The undiluted brevity of Matthew’s account stands in striking contrast to any such attempts.
Two statements stand out.
· God is with us
· God saving me from my sin
The birth of Jesus is not in isolation from the genealogy we looked at one reflection earlier. That genealogy shouted that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. Now we learn that this long-awaited Messiah is none other than God himself.
Michael Green in The Message of Matthew writes:
Immanuel means God is with us. It is not a prayer. It is a statement.
He notes the Hebrews would not even make an image of God. This so amazed the Romans they actually thought the Jews were atheists. Against this backdrop Matthew proclaims not that God has given to us a representation of himself—no he has come in person!
As if that is not a bold enough statement, we are told “why”. To save us from our sins.
Remarkable really—it truly is not complicated. How are you doing at keeping it uncomplicated?