Series: The Call of Christmas  
Message: The Call to Protect  
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 41:1-4.

Read: Matthew 1:18-25 — As you read in the ESV translation, note 1-3 insights/questions that arise. 

Reflect: In Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary, Matthew by Ben Witherington III, page 43 is this interesting insight:

“Kings were often said to have miraculous births in antiquity, and Jesus is no different. Not only is Jesus said to be born by means of virginal conception, but the reader is told he will bear a divine throne name— Immanuel, meaning God with us (1:23; see Isa 9:6). God in some form is personally present with God’s people in and through Jesus. We are told later (at 11:19) what form that personal presence takes, namely that Jesus is Wisdom come in the flesh, and so he is someone who is a greater royal figure than even the ultimate Jewish sage—Solomon (13:42). The son of David before Jesus was of course Solomon, and the Evangelist will draw comparisons with Solomon and his wisdom throughout the text by presenting Jesus as both a sage who speaks in parables, riddles, aphorisms, and also the Wisdom of God come in the flesh. The term “Son of David” applied to Jesus will be sprinkled throughout the text to remind the audience of his royalty (1:1; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30-31; 21:9, 15; 22:42, 45) but most of this emphasis will come at the end of the narrative to stress he was indeed king of the Jews even though paradoxically he was crucified, and some Jewish leaders were indirectly responsible for this outcome.” 

Recalibrate: 

1. What does it mean to you that Jesus was also given the name Immanuel?

Respond: Pray for patience.

Research: How many times does the term “Son of David” appear in Matthew?