Ask Mr Bible

The Old Testament records the PREPARATION for the life of Jesus Christ.

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4).

The Gospel accounts record the MANIFESTATION of the life of Jesus Christ.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

The Book of Acts records the PROPAGATION of the life of Jesus Christ.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42).

The Epistles record the INTERPRETATION of the life of Jesus Christ.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I an chief” (1 Tim. 1:15).

The Book of Revelation records the CORONATION OF KING JESUS CHRIST.

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).

● Negative consideration.  It did not occur in Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus.  In fact to the contrary, for had there been a medical doctor present to assist in the birth of Jesus (but not knowing the background of the event) he would have encountered nothing unusual in the delivery process itself.

● Positive consideration.  It did occur in Nazareth upon the announcement of Gabriel:

 “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

 Stated another way, the miracle of the incarnation was the supernatural conception of the body of Jesus within the womb of Mary without the aid of a human father!

Was it the only one in the Bible?

No, but it was indeed the only truly unique one.  To explain:

● The supernatural conception and birth of other sons of man.  God touched the barren wombs of the following women:

1. Sarah, who gave birth to Isaac (Gen. 21:1-3)
2. Rebekah, who gave birth to Esau and Jacob (Gen. 25:21)
3. Leah, who gave birth to Issachar (Gen. 30:9, 18)
4. Rachel, who gave birth to Joseph (Gen. 30:22)
5. Manoah’s wife, who gave birth to Samson (Judg. 13:3, 24)
6. Hannah, who gave birth to Samuel (1 Sam. 1:2, 11, 19, 20)
7. Elisabeth, who gave birth to John (Luke 1:7, 13, 24, 25)

● The unique conception and birth of the Son of God
 
1. This was the only birth where the baby had previously existed (John 8:58)
2. This was the only birth where no earthly father was involved (Luke 1:35)
3. This was the only birth where God took upon Himself human flesh (John 1:14)

In an Old Testament chapter (Dan. 2), Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar had just imposed the death penalty upon his wise men for their utter inability to relate and explain his mysterious dream of a huge statue.  In desperation, the terrified men cried out:

“The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore [there is] no king, lord, nor ruler, [that] asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And [it is] a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh” (Dan. 2:10, 11).

This event occurred around 600 B.C.  Theologically speaking, the wise men were correct in their claim that the “gods” did not indeed dwell in human flesh.  But six centuries later in a Bethlehem manger all this would change for God would take upon Himself the likeness of human flesh (Rom. 8:3; Heb. 2:14), and actually dwell with sinful humanity (John 1:14).

This miracle of miracles would transpire in Luke 2:7:

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).