Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
Found with child. Surely those are profound, even staggering, words of our Lord's birth. I can almost hear the unbelief seeping out of Joseph's heart when he first learned of Mary's pregnancy. And what about Mary? Surely she knew no one would believe the Spirit had touched her in a pregnancy. What about her family? Would they cast her out and leave her to make do with all the world had to offer in the shame of her day?
Even with the comfort of angels, surely this touching could not be true. After all, a man and woman just don't conceive without a physical union.
But that was the key. There was no physical act of marriage between Joseph and Mary. Nor was there premarital sex at all. This was a Spiritual union, with God becoming a part of humanity, entering into Mary's womb. Physically, but in no way sexually, the Spirit touches humanity in a way never experienced before, and never to be done again.
With the Spirit's touch, God enters into the very personal and intimate world of humanity, making possible a new touch of the Spirit to every person who turns to the Lord who went to the cross. Not that we all receive new life from the Spirit, but the possibility has been made into a reality. God has become a part of our history.
This work of the Spirit in history began Christ's journey to the cross. It began with the physical touch of the Spirit. One conception led to another and makes possible the conception of our new birth in Christ.
Matthew records Jesus would be called Immanuel. Not just any old name, and not just to help tie the story to the Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah. More importantly is what the touch of the Spirit means, not just for Mary, but for all of us.
Just so we don't miss the point, Matthew tells us. The Spirit's touch brought God into touch with humanity. With the Spirit, Jesus becomes "God with us."
Lord Jesus
I thank you for that miraculous conception. Without sinful humanity's seed, you entered into the realm of my world, beginning your journey to the cross for my sin. Whenever I see a new born baby, may I remember the Spirit stepped into history, becoming our "God with us." Amen.
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