Explanation of the birth of Jesus is missing some facts

A few weeks ago I read the an opinion piece on the Faith page in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman by the Rev. Howard Bess headlined, “The reign of God is close at hand.” I was expecting to find an essay dealing with end times prophesy, but I was disappointed by two things: it wasn’t about the end times, and it wasn’t factual concerning the subject matter it did discuss.

The explanation of the birth of Jesus seemed to be missing some facts, albeit based upon Scripture. That is, if you believe Scripture to be true, and I do. Why? Because it has been proven to be practically, archeologically and historically true. It is not a fictional account. There are more documents supporting the accuracy and historicity of the Bible than any other ancient text.

Let me address the points of the column that I believe were not accurate. First, Jesus’ emergence as a prophet was not logical or reasonable. Even Jesus said, “A prophet is not honored in his hometown.” He came from humble beginnings. His family was so poor that Mary sacrificed a turtledove for her son. Jesus was also raised with a social stigma. Everyone knew he was born to unwed parents. Joseph and Mary were betrothed, not legally married.

The prophesies concerning Jesus and his birth are too numerous to mention here. But of note is that the scribes and pharisees when pressed for where the Messiah would be born told Herod and the magi, “the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem,” according Micah 5:2. Isaiah predicted that “a virgin will bear a son and his name shall be called Immanuel, and he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1, Luke 1 and Isaiah 7:14)

Both Joseph and Mary were told Jesus would be that savior by the angel and the Holy Spirit in a dream. His birth was anything but fictional.

As far as his family ties, it is undisputed that the Jews were eternally tied to their ancestry. A Hebrew family could trace its ancestry back numerous generations. This was important to them because the family name and heritage is how they kept track of priestly lines, Levitical positions, land and property rights, inheritance and social status. Every fabric of Jewish life was tied to “who’s your daddy.” It is also important because the Jews, then and now, were looking for a Messiah king like David — Messiah would have to be an heir to the throne of David in order to be king — who would deliver them from their oppressors. Jesus fits that description.

Mark was a well-known author to the disciples and the first century church in Jerusalem. In fact, along with Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Peter and Luke, he helped start many of the New Testament churches. Most scholars agree Mark would have gotten most of his information to write about from Peter on their many missionary journeys.

Matthew and Luke on the other hand, hold much of the narrative surrounding the birth of Christ — the nativity. Matthew is a Jew and wrote to the Jews. Luke was a gentile and wrote to his friend Theophilus. Matthew spent nearly three years with Jesus as a disciple and would have intimate knowledge of Jesus’ family. He begins his gospel with the genealogies of Jesus from Abraham to current generations. No one questions the line from Abraham to David, so why question the other part of the lineage? It is not a fabrication made decades later. The lineage of the family of Joseph and Mary is just as important then as it is today.

Luke was a gentile and a physician. He was well traveled and well educated for his day. He, too, traveled with the disciples during the first century planting churches. Undoubtedly, he would not have written to his friend without researching his subject thoroughly. Although he did not know his writings would become a major part of the future New Testament, he still wrote as accurately as possible. But remember, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was involved in the writing also. Paul tells us that, “all Scripture is inspired and God breathed and is profitable for doctrine and reproof.” (II Timothy 3:16)

One more thought; the disciples knew Mary, the mother of Jesus, and were known by her, including Mark, Luke and Matthew. And they would have listened intently as Mary told of her life with her son Jesus, including the facts about the nativity. I hope that answers some questions others might have.

Bill Little is Pastor of Journey Church in Wasilla. Contact him at pastorwlittle@gmail.com, or online at journeychurchak.com.

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