Class Lesson December 12, 2021

 

Click Play to Watch Intro

Irrefutable: Prophecies That Point Us to Jesus 

The world is constantly searching for answers to the purpose and meaning of life. When people hope in the things of this world, they are left with broken promises and unmet expectations. The world needs a hope that is irrefutable. When something is irrefutable it is impossible to prove it wrong. It cannot be denied, and it can be completely trusted. 

Jesus is that hope. He is irrefutable. 

Each Christmas, we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of years before He was born of the virgin Mary, God revealed through His prophets that Jesus would come, live, and pay the price for our salvation. These prophecies, along with the fulfillment of these prophecies, point to Jesus as the irrefutable Lord and Savior of the world. Without a doubt, Jesus is . . 

. . . . God with us

. . . . the Light in the darkness

. . . . the Savior who came to us

. . . . the King who reigns forever

. . . . the Light and Glory of God

. . . . the Ruler who cares for His people

Share Christ. The Christmas season is an ideal time to point others to Jesus Christ. We gain confidence in sharing His story as we see how His life is a part of God’s grand design planned long ago. The birth of Jesus is not just a quaint story we tell at Christmas; it was prophesied centuries earlier.

Irrefutable: Prophecies That Point Us to Jesus 

Session 1 God with Us Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25 

Session 2 The Light in the Darkness Isaiah 9:1-3; John 1:1-9 

Session 3 The Savior Who Came to Us Luke 2:4-12,16-20 

Session 4 The King Who Reigns Forever Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-33 

Session 5 The Light and Glory of God Luke 2:25-35 

Session 6 The Ruler Who Cares for His People Micah 5:2-5a; Matthew 2:1-6,9-11

2.  The Light in the Darkness

Question 1:

 

When have you been most thankful

 

you had some light? 

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

A couple mornings each week, I get up earlier than usual for a meeting. In the winter, that means getting up before the sun rises. My wife, on the other hand, does not need to get up as early as I do. Being the good husband I am, I don’t turn on a light, and I try to be quiet and careful not to wake her.

One morning as I tried to leave the dark bedroom for my early morning meeting, my big toe collided with the edge of our dresser—hard. Has this ever happened to you? By some miracle, I was able to cry quietly with tears in my eyes, successfully limping out of the room without waking my wife. I sure could have used a light in that dark room!

Even more importantly, we need a light in the dark culture in which we live. Thankfully, we have that in Jesus. He is the light that Isaiah promised to us centuries before His birth. 

THE POINT

Jesus shines His light into a dark world. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Isaiah 9:1-3

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

Physical darkness can be a dangerous thing but not nearly as dangerous as spiritual darkness. The nation of Judah was living in spiritual darkness because of their rebellion against God. Earlier, Isaiah had described how the people would “see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom” (Isa. 8:22). They would face defeat, but though the destruction and darkness would be great for the people of Judah, they still had hope. Isaiah contrasted the coming “gloom for those who were in distress” of Judah with what God did to the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali. 

Question 2:

In what ways does our world walk in darkness? 

When Israel split into two kingdoms after Solomon’s death, the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, along with eight other tribes, became the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Because the kingdom of Israel had rebelled against God, He allowed the Assyrians to take over the nation around 732 BC. The Assyrians exiled the people and brought in people from other nations to settle. Because these new inhabitants were not Jewish, the region became known as “Galilee of the nations.”

This area also included the village of Nazareth where Jesus was raised. The prophet’s statement that “in the future” God would “honor” this area probably points to the fact that this was Jesus’ hometown. Even though the people had been rebellious and had been “walking in darkness,” that darkness would be swept away by “a great light.” This prophecy saw its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew describes how Jesus fulfilled this prophecy: “Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah” (Matt. 4:13-14).

The people no longer would walk in darkness when the Messiah, who is the light of the world (John 8:12), was born. Satan, of course, would prefer for us to remain in darkness. When we’re stuck in darkness, we can become callous to our sin and pain. We can also become blind to the dangers of this world and can lose sight of God’s direction and purpose for our lives. On the other hand, wherever there is a bright light, all is revealed. We see what was hidden in the darkness.

This is what the light of Christ does with our sin. The light of Jesus exposes our sin and points to a life that is infinitely greater than a life lived in darkness. However, as a pastor, I meet far too many people who have allowed the darkness of this world to limit their perspectives in life. They have either given up all hope of freedom from their sin, or they simply have chosen to settle for life in the darkness.

When we see the great light in Jesus, His ways are far greater and more joyful than the ways of darkness. God’s ways are not a killjoy in our lives—far from it! His ways are the key to joy. 

John 1:1-4

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The opening verses of the Gospel of John declare that the glory of Jesus has overcome the darkness in this world. John did not hold back on announcing who Jesus is. Jesus is God; “He was with God in the beginning,” and all creation came through Him. Although Jesus came into the world through the virgin birth, Jesus did not at that point come into existence. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always existed, and they have always been in relationship with each other.

John described Jesus in a unique way: He referred to Jesus as “the Word.” We often refer to the Bible as “God’s Word”—God’s revelation of Himself to us—but Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. He is the Word who most fully reveals God because He is God! Among John’s original audience, Jewish Christians would surely see this connection, but Gentile Christians likely made a different connection. Greek philosophers used the concept of word (logos in Greek) to refer to both the spoken word and reason. They viewed the physical world they could see as a poor reflection of a perfect reality. Because Jesus is “the Word,” Gentile believers would see that Jesus is the one who came to enable them to see what is real and true. 

 

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Circle the words from Isaiah 9:1-3 that describe the seeming-hopelessness of the land on which the promised King would shine. Then answer the questions.

gloom  distressed  humbled  honor  darkness

dawn  harvest  rejoicing  joy

In what area of your life do you currently feel tempted toward hopelessness? 

Write a sentence that could turn that situation into a prayer of hope in God in the coming week:

“The nearer you take anything to the light, the darker its spots will appear; and the nearer you live to God, the more you will see your own utter vileness.”

ROBERT MURRAY M’CHEYNE

We desperately need this Word! In the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve enjoyed the light and privilege of walking with God. Unfortunately, they sinned against God, and that sin brought separation—a separation that was passed down to all humanity. With that separation comes ignorance, darkness, and even death. Isaiah had prophesied that light was coming into this world, and John now proclaimed that the Word—Jesus!—is that light.

In Christ, we have the privilege and joy of being “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14-16)—reflecting the light of Christ to those around us. That is critical because only the gospel of Jesus can truly shine light in this dark world. He is the light of the world, and He alone offers the life change we truly need. When you surrender your life to Christ, you receive His light and join with His church in being the light of the world. 

Question 3:

What are the practical implications 

of Jesus being the Light of men?

John 1:5-9

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

It is extremely difficult—even impossible—to enjoy a view or even know what we’re looking at without light. A good light will help us clearly see the map of a trail, the trail itself, and any potential dangers.

Wherever we have light, that light brings understanding. We need light, truth, and understanding to live. Thankfully, Jesus is that light shining in the darkness. His light exposes how things really are: the sin in our lives, the evil in the world, and the way out of that darkness. Once things become visible, the ways of God are easier to understand. It’s impossible for us to truly know and understand the ways of God and the abundant life He has for us without the light of Christ in our lives. 

Question 4:

What are some ways Jesus has been 

the light in your life?

God raised up John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus and to point people to the light of Christ. Like the Old Testament prophets who were commissioned by God for special assignments with specific messages, John’s message was all about the light of the Messiah. Shortly after John’s birth, his father Zechariah prophesied that his son would “go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,” proclaiming the light and salvation of Christ (Luke 1:76-77).

When God sent Jesus into this world, He proved He had heard our cries in the darkness and loved us enough to save us from it. In Jesus, we can live in the light. Those who believe in Jesus are commanded to walk in His light. As we walk in the light, we declare Christ to the world. Much like John the Baptist had a mission to shine the light of Christ, so do we. God loves the world and desires for everyone to enjoy His salvation and light; He works through us to reflect that salvation and light to others. 

Question 5:

What opportunities exist for our group to display 

the light of Christ in our community?

LIVE IT OUT

Jesus shines His light into a dark world. Choose one of the following applications:

See the light. Don’t deny the darkness around you. Make a list of the darkness in your life, community, and world. Then acknowledge the need for light and thank God for sending this Light into the world.

Share the light. Don’t try to navigate your life in the dark. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Rely on God’s Word (Scripture) and the Word made flesh (Jesus) as you look for opportunities to share the gospel this week.

Shine the light. Choose a local ministry such as a food pantry. Gather friends to volunteer with you. Lead your group in a time of prayer emphasizing the opportunity to show the light of Jesus to your community.

Many of us have stumbled in the darkness—and we have the bruises to show for it! But all of us know what it is like to walk in spiritual darkness. Thankfully Jesus has come to lead us out of that darkness and into His light.

Teacher Notes:

The Point: Jesus shines His light into a dark world.

The Passages: Isaiah 9:1-3; John 1:1-9

 

What are the purposes of light?

• To see, to reflect, to warm, to lift, to expose, to provide revelation (make something known), to show truth, to give clarity

 

Have you ever noticed that when someone pulls out a cell phone in a movie theater, your eyes immediately go from the movie screen to the phone? That’s because we’re drawn toward the light.

 

Today we are introduced to Jesus being the light that shines into a dark world. And once again, Isaiah tells us these things hundreds of years before it would come to pass. Isaiah is a major prophet in the deepest sense of the phrase. One evidence of this is that the New Testament writers quote from Isaiah more than any other Old Testament book.

Dozens of Messianic prophecies come from the pages of Isaiah.

• Last week, we were introduced to the virgin birth, and Jesus being Immanuel/God with Us.

 

Isaiah 9:1-3

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan.  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

 

Why were people walking in darkness? What is spiritual darkness? Why would anyone choose to remain in spiritual darkness?

 

Physical darkness can be a dangerous thing but not nearly as dangerous as spiritual darkness. The nation of Judah was living in spiritual darkness because of their rebellion against God. Earlier, Isaiah had described how the people would “see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom” (Isa. 8:22). They would face defeat, but though the destruction and darkness would be great for the people of Judah, they still had hope. Isaiah contrasted the coming “gloom for those who were in distress” of Judah with what God did to the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali.

 

When Israel split into two kingdoms after Solomon’s death, the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, along with eight other tribes, became the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Because the kingdom of Israel had rebelled against God, He allowed the Assyrians to take over the nation around 732 BC. The Assyrians exiled the people and brought in people from other nations to settle. Because these new inhabitants were not Jewish, the region became known as “Galilee of the nations.”

This area also included the village of Nazareth where Jesus was raised. The prophet’s statement that “in the future” God would “honor” this area probably points to the fact that this was Jesus’ hometown. Even though the people had been rebellious and had been “walking in darkness,” that darkness would be swept away by “a great light.” This prophecy saw its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew describes how Jesus fulfilled this prophecy: “Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah.” (Matt. 4:13-14)

 

When I think of a great light – I think of the star the wise men followed to find Jesus.

 

When I think of a great light – I think of the heavenly host of angels that announced to the shepherds that Jesus – the hope and light of the world had been born.  

 

What aspects of our culture need the bright light of Jesus?

• All the evil that exists today – just want it to be exposed

John 1:1-4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

 

How does Jesus bring light into your world?

 

The opening verses of the Gospel of John declare that the glory of Jesus has overcome the darkness in this world. John did not hold back on announcing who Jesus is. Jesus is God; “He was with God in the beginning,” and all creation came through Him. Although Jesus came into the world through the virgin birth, Jesus did not at that point come into existence. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always existed, and they have always been in relationship with each other. (Think about that for a moment)

 

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always existed – Why?

• Christ, the eternal Word, is God. The Word is preexistent, coexistent, eternal, and equal with God. Christ as the Word was an agent of creation.

 

How should we understand the “Word” described in these verses?

John described Jesus in a unique way: He referred to Jesus as “the Word.” We often refer to the Bible as “God’s Word”— God’s revelation of Himself to us — but Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. He is the Word who most fully reveals God because He is God!

We desperately need this Word! In the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve enjoyed the light and privilege of walking with God. Unfortunately, they sinned against God, and that sin brought separation—a separation that was passed down to all humanity. With that separation comes ignorance, darkness, and even death. Isaiah had prophesied that light was coming into this world, and John now proclaimed that the Word — Jesus! — is that light.

  

In Christ, we have the privilege and joy of being “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14-16)—reflecting the light of Christ to those around us. That is critical because only the gospel of Jesus can truly shine light in this dark world. He is the light of the world, and He alone offers the life change we truly need. When you surrender your life to Christ, you receive His light and join with His church in being the light of the world.

 

What are the practical implications of Jesus being the Light of men?

 

 

 

 

 

John 1:5-9

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

 

How does the light of Jesus illuminate a person’s understanding?

 

God sent a man named John.

John 1:6, "There was a man sent from God whose name was John."

 

Why Introduce John Here?

Why does John, the writer of this gospel, introduce John the Baptist like this right here? It seems abrupt. Verse 5 is talking about the light shining in the darkness and the darkness not overcoming it, and verse 9 goes on to talk about the light coming into the world. And verses 6–8 seem like an interruption. Why not get Jesus all the way introduced, and then introduce John the Baptist?

 

Well, John could have written it that way. But he didn't. And the effect of the way he did write it is to make crystal clear from the very outset that God's way of letting the light of Christ shine in the world is by human witnesses. God's way of pushing back the darkness is by human witnesses.

And Jesus said there wasn't a greater man who ever lived (Luke 7:28).

Be ready and open to God's call on your life to send you to bear witness to the light; and be ready and open to recognize the word of God to you when it comes from others that God has sent to you.

 

The way God uses people to spread the light is by their testimony.

 

Jesus gives light to everyone.

• God sends out witnesses to testify about the truth of Jesus. Jesus, as the Light, came to shine into the life of everyone who would believe in Him.

 

1.    Bear Witness

The role of a witness is to answer questions truthfully and give an honest account of what they have seen and heard. As Christians, we can be light in the darkness by responding to non-believers with truth and testifying to what God has done. Remember, it is not our job to make people believe, but to share the truth boldly and lovingly.

What do you know to be true about the Lord Jesus Christ?

What has He done in your own life?

 

These are essential questions that you need to be able to answer. Answering these questions prepares you to testify to the truth and to be light. John bore witness to Jesus because he knew without a doubt Who Jesus was and what He would do for the world.

 

2.    Follow Jesus' Commands (John 8:12)

When you choose to follow the commands of the Lord and reject the ways of the world, others will notice. Especially when you hold fast to what is true, your light will shine. Though people may reject it, there will be some who are drawn in, curious as to why you live differently.

The challenge for us is to keep our eyes on the One we follow. For the moment we take our eyes off of the Savior, we will be tempted to slip into the darkness of the world. Just as Jesus set his face like flint toward the redeeming cross, we too must set our faces like flint toward the Redeemer.

The Bible says that if we claim to be in communion with the Lord, but walk in darkness, we are not practicing the truth. My prayer is that we will take Jesus’ commands seriously and live as light in the darkness by walking in obedience.

 

3.    Put Yourself Out There (Matthew 5:14-16)

It can be a little scary thinking about shining the light of Jesus for all to see. It’s much safer to casually mention Him, in hopes of not offending anyone. However, Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 5 that His disciples were the light of the world. They were not to remain hidden. They were called to shine their light as a city set on a hill.

We are Jesus’ disciples too. We’re not meant to stay tucked away in our protected corner of the world. We are to boldly let our light shine before men!

 

 

Close: This is the message found in the story of Christmas, a message of light and truth to be shared and rejoiced in. Rejoice that in Jesus, God revealed Himself and made it possible for us to be rescued from the darkness of our sin. He is the Light who has come.

Ultimately, each of us is called to be light in the darkness. That doesn’t have to scare us. Most of us can remember a time when we walked in darkness ourselves. And from that experience, we know how strongly it contrasts to walking in the light of the Lord.

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)

 

 

As Christmas Day approaches, what will you do as part of this season’s celebration to create opportunities to celebrate Jesus as the Light who shines in darkness? 

New Series Begins This Sunday - December 5, 2021

Click Play to Watch Intro

Irrefutable: Prophecies That Point Us to Jesus 

The world is constantly searching for answers to the purpose and meaning of life. When people hope in the things of this world, they are left with broken promises and unmet expectations. The world needs a hope that is irrefutable. When something is irrefutable it is impossible to prove it wrong. It cannot be denied, and it can be completely trusted. 

Jesus is that hope. He is irrefutable. 

Each Christmas, we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of years before He was born of the virgin Mary, God revealed through His prophets that Jesus would come, live, and pay the price for our salvation. These prophecies, along with the fulfillment of these prophecies, point to Jesus as the irrefutable Lord and Savior of the world. Without a doubt, Jesus is . . 

. . . . God with us

. . . . the Light in the darkness

. . . . the Savior who came to us

. . . . the King who reigns forever

. . . . the Light and Glory of God

. . . . the Ruler who cares for His people

Share Christ. The Christmas season is an ideal time to point others to Jesus Christ. We gain confidence in sharing His story as we see how His life is a part of God’s grand design planned long ago. The birth of Jesus is not just a quaint story we tell at Christmas; it was prophesied centuries earlier.

Irrefutable: Prophecies That Point Us to Jesus 

Session 1 God with Us Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25 

Session 2 The Light in the Darkness Isaiah 9:1-3; John 1:1-9 

Session 3 The Savior Who Came to Us Luke 2:4-12,16-20 

Session 4 The King Who Reigns Forever Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-33 

Session 5 The Light and Glory of God Luke 2:25-35 

Session 6 The Ruler Who Cares for His People Micah 5:2-5a; Matthew 2:1-6,9-11

Question 1: 

When has someone’s presence been the ultimate present for you?

THE POINT 

Jesus is Immanuel—God with us.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE 

It was the biggest night of my senior basketball season. Our team wasn’t great, but somehow we made the state semi-finals. Because this was unexpected, my dad had booked an event out of town, meaning he would miss the game. I was crushed! I’ll never forget my dad’s words after he heard my pleas: “Son, I promise I’ll be there.” 

The gym that night was filled with incredible anticipation. The place was packed with fans, but I was only concerned about one person. Would my dad be able to keep his promise? As I led my team onto the floor with our fight song filling the arena, I looked up into the stands, and there he was, cheering me on. My dad kept his promise! 

In a world that is filled with broken promises, I am thankful for an earthly father who kept his. I am most thankful for our heavenly Father who always keeps His promises. Because God kept His promise given through the prophet Isaiah, we can celebrate Immanuel—God with us.

Jesus is Immanuel—God with us. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? 

Isaiah 7:14 14 

“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” 

This promise of a coming Messiah who would save the world and the fulfillment of this promise through the birth of Jesus Christ demonstrates the trustworthiness of the Lord. The specific details in this verse about this coming Messiah are what makes this prophecy a miracle of God. 

Question 2: What are some things you appreciate about biblical prophecy?

The birth of a baby always produces incredible excitement. For a while, my wife and I had a difficult time becoming parents. When we found out we were expecting our first child, we were overcome with joy. God soon gave us even more reasons to be thankful. Our firstborn son was followed later by twin boys and a girl. 

Any announcement of a new child is exciting. Isaiah 7:14 not only is an exciting announcement, but the prophet Isaiah also shared some important details in the verse. First, we learn that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. Second, His name would be called Immanuel. Before we consider the importance of these two details, let’s understand the context of this prophecy in Isaiah. 

God raised up the prophet Isaiah, whose name means “Yahweh is salvation.” God called Isaiah during a time of great struggle for His people. Isaiah’s words to the people pointed to the meaning of his name. When we come to Isaiah 7, Ahaz was the king of Judah, the country was under attack, and his people were terrified (7:1-2). God offered to give Ahaz a sign that He was powerful enough to take care of their enemies, but Ahaz didn’t seem to think he needed God’s help. 

Upon hearing King Ahaz’s refusal to ask for a sign, Isaiah the prophet broadened his audience beyond the king. He told the whole faithless house of David that God would give a sign anyway! The house of David’s wickedness had tested God’s long-suffering patience, but God had a sign for them: “See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” 

Many prophecies refer to more than one event. The first fulfillment of a prophecy usually is found in a person or event close to the time when the prophecy was first given. 

The ultimate fulfillment is usually found in the Person of Christ. However, Isaiah 7:14 does not mean two virgin births occurred! The Hebrew word for virgin can refer to a young maiden or a woman who has never been sexually intimate. In the immediate context, though, a son likely born to Ahaz would be a reminder of God’s presence. 

The ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah, however, was truly a miraculous virgin birth. When the Old Testament was translated into the Greek language, the word used for virgin had the narrowly defined meaning of an unmarried daughter, one who had never been sexually intimate. As Matthew was inspired to recount the birth of Jesus, he used this translation of Isaiah 7:14, clearly wanting us to see the miraculous virgin birth of Christ. 

The virgin birth of Christ is an important truth; Jesus had to be one of us—human—to die in our place, but He couldn’t offer the perfect sacrifice if He were like every other human with a sin nature. The virgin birth means Jesus had no human father—God is His Father—and Jesus was born without a sin nature. Jesus is fully man and He is fully God. God is with us!

Matthew 1:18-19 

18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. 

As this passage makes clear, the Messiah would be born of a virgin. From a human perspective, a virgin birth is impossible. Over the centuries, people have scoffed at this idea. It’s quite possible that Joseph and Mary’s own contemporaries jeered when the couple tried to explain the situation. But God makes the impossible possible!

While Joseph and Mary were engaged, Mary became pregnant from the Holy Spirit. This was an absolute shock to Mary and to Joseph. As was the custom for marriage at that time, an engagement was a time to prove faithfulness to God and each other in purity. It often lasted for a year. The couple would be committed to each other as husband and wife although not yet living together. The marriage would not be consummated until after this season. This period was also the season of the miracle that would change the world. 

Mary “was pregnant from the Holy Spirit.” Let that phrase sink in for a moment. Of course, we know what it is to be pregnant. We also know about God the Holy Spirit. But to merge those two things was unheard of, and Joseph’s mind had to be reeling from that phrase. 

Mary’s divine pregnancy certainly changed Joseph’s plans, but his actions were commendable. He took the high road by planning a secret divorce. Surely Joseph’s heart was broken. But his love for Mary and his sense of righteousness drove his actions (even though the Old Testament law allowed for a public stoning for adultery [Deut. 22:22-24]). Joseph chose not to create a controversial public scandal by taking news of Mary’s condition to the judges at the city gate. 

Instead, Joseph chose the way of mercy. The situation had changed his plans, but that would not change his love for Mary or his desire to live righteously. So, Joseph sought to move on quietly from this painful chapter of his life. Joseph took a bold stance in his decision. He thought that divorcing Mary quietly would be the most loving action he could take. But as we shall see, God intervened with a far greater and more righteous approach.

Question 3: How does it impact your life knowing that God will always keep His promises?

Matthew 1:20-25 

20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25 but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus. 

As Joseph considered what he thought to be the best option—divorce—God sent an angel to give him a “course correction.” Sometimes God tells us to adjust our plans. As Joseph listened to the description of the Messiah, he surely realized this event was not some spur-of-the-moment decision on God’s part. 

Question 4: What do you appreciate about Joseph from this narrative? 

The last words of verse 23 stand out: “God is with us.” While “Jesus” is the earthly name that was given to Christ (Luke 1:31), Immanuel is an apt description. Immanuel describes what God did in sending Jesus. God’s presence was with His people. 

By the time of Jesus’ birth, the Jewish people had been longing for the presence of the Messiah. The coming Messiah would fulfill the promises made throughout the Hebrew Scriptures: promises of a prosperous kingdom filled with victory, joy, and prosperity. Promises of deliverance from enemies, hatred, and pain. However, God’s promise embedded in the name Immanuel would take them—and us—far beyond these things we would receive from His hand. With this promise is the gift of His presence. When Jesus is with us, He is all we need. Nothing is more powerful in our lives than the presence of God. 

Joseph no doubt was still concerned about the opinions of those around him. But Joseph also was reassured that the Lord was with him, and more importantly, the long-awaited Messiah was now coming into the world. 

Question 5: Why is God’s presence with us so important.

GOD’S PRESENCE 

In the space below, describe how you have experienced God’s presence in the following areas of life.

In Nature: 

At Home: 

At Work: 

In Community:

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 

JOHN 1:14

Jesus is Immanuel—God with us. 

LIVE IT OUT

Choose one of the following applications: 

Sing to Him. Look up the lyrics to “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” As you listen to the song, consider how Jesus’ presence makes all the difference. 

Sit with Him. Set aside time each day this week to enjoy God’s presence. Turn off your phone and find a quiet spot to contemplate the depths of God’s love for you. 

Share about Him. The virgin birth seems impossible and unbelievable to many people today. Look for opportunities to discuss the wonder of the virgin birth with others who might not know Christ, emphasizing that this points to the unbelievably wonderful truth of our reconciliation with God, which is impossible without Christ. 

We all have people in our lives who make promises. Sometimes they even keep them. Thankfully we have a God who always keeps His promises, beginning with one that is essential for our salvation: He is with us.

Teacher's Notes:

God with Us

The Passages: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23

Video: David Bowie & Bing Crosby

 

What are some of your favorite things about the Christmas season?

 

The Christmas season is an ideal time to point others to Jesus Christ. We gain confidence in sharing His story as we see how His life is a part of God’s grand design planned long ago. The birth of Jesus is not just a story we tell at Christmas; it was prophesied centuries earlier.

 

God promised, through Isaiah, that He Himself would be with us. And through Jesus, God completely fulfilled this promise. Jesus came to earth in the flesh, not as a replica of God, or a stand-in for God.

Jesus is God Himself with us.

 

Isaiah prophesied about the birth of a son centuries before Jesus’ birth.

 

Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.”

 

What is the historical setting for the sign given to Ahaz? What was the intent of the sign? What makes the sign unusual, impossible, and miraculous? What is the meaning and message behind calling the child Immanuel?

 

Answer: In 735 BC, Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel formed an alliance in anticipation of making a military response to Assyrian aggression. They asked Ahaz, king of Judah, to join them, but he refused. Subsequently, Rezin and Pekah attacked Judah with the intent of putting their own leader in place, someone who would be more agreeable to their plans. Commissioned by the Lord, Isaiah sought out Ahaz to assure him the efforts of Rezin and Pekah would fail because they were relying on their own strength, not the Lord’s.

Isaiah encouraged the king, “Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God” (Isa. 7:11). A sign often indicated a miraculous event, evidence that what had occurred was not a coincidence or accident but an intentional act that confirmed the presence of the Lord. No limits were placed on him. He could ask whatever he wanted “either in the depth, or in the height above” (v. 11). “Let it be as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven” (ESV).

Ahaz refused to do as he was bidden. He attempted to couch his refusal in humility, claiming he would not “tempt the Lord” (v. 12). “I will not put the Lord to the test” (NIV, ESV). Actually, because the command was a word from the Lord, Ahaz’s refusal to ask for a sign was nothing more than an act of disobedience. His disobedience was a sign in itself that the Lord was not Ahaz’s God; the king had no viable relationship with the Lord God.

The Lord himself would give him a sign anyway, an indication of His presence. A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. How unusual, impossible, and miraculous would that be? “Isaiah’s carefully chosen word that is translated virgin permitted the birth of a son to one who was a virgin at the time of the prophecy. That child, however, would have a human father.” 1 The child would be called Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.” More than a name in the usual sense of the word, Immanuel is a functional title revealing what the child had come to do. He was given to make God and His presence known.

How are we to understand this sign? Initially, the sign was given to address the immediate situation in Judah. But just who the mother and child were is not clear; neither is the time of its initial fulfillment specified. Was this sign to be connected with the references to a promised child described in Isaiah 9:6-7 and a descendant of David spoken of in 11:1-5? The continuity of Isaiah’s message would certainly say it is.

The New Testament writers, moved by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, applied the promise of Isaiah 7:14 to Jesus (Matt. 1:18-23). That does not mean Matthew wrote Jesus back into the words of Isaiah. No, even while Isaiah spoke to the immediate historical context, God was speaking a preparatory word of what He would ultimately bring to pass in the birth of His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, born to a virgin girl named Mary. She would be overwhelmed by the power of the Holy Spirit to conceive and bear a Child who would be “God with us.”

 

 

 

Matthew’s story of the birth of Jesus begins with an angel telling Joseph that the child to be born to Mary was the work of God and fulfilled the promise declared by the prophet.

Matthew 1:18-23

The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”

Why is the virgin birth important to the Christian faith?

We typically begin the Christmas story through the eyes of Mary and Joseph. Sometimes it is easy to forget that the people God chose as Jesus’ parents were young and, in many ways, unprepared. Yet Mary and Joseph trusted in God’s plan and were faithful. This is such an important reminder in the Christmas story; that …

God doesn’t call the qualified but qualifies the called.

During Christmas we celebrate the birth of a baby, but not just any baby. If Jesus is only a baby in a manger, we miss the meaning of His birth. His birth represents the arrival of God Himself having come to earth.

 

 

Our faith, like Joseph’s, must be grounded in the truth that …

Jesus is Immanuel—God with us

 

 

Write a brief statement that summarizes what it means to you that Jesus came as Immanuel, “God with us.”

__________________________________

 

 

What Immanuel Means for Us Today

In truth, God is and always has been with us. He is omnipresent, which means He is everywhere all the time. Speaking of God, the ancient psalmist David wrote, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:7-10 NIV). And in Jeremiah 23:23-24, God said, “‘Am I only a God nearby,’ declares the Lord, ‘and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do not I fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord” (NIV).

Because of Jesus, Immanuel, we never have to be alone. We never have to wonder how to please God or worry if our efforts aren’t enough. We can simply rest knowing He is with us, in us, loves us, and will never leave us.

   

Nothing is more critical than finding some personal time during these days to reflect on the significance of a Christmas far beyond all the activities. The birth of the Baby was the arrival of God Himself. Jesus came to save us. He is Immanuel—God with us.

If we miss that, we have missed Christmas even if we observed a holiday.