End Times
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Matthew records the events of Isaiah fulfilled: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:20-23) Luke likewise, speaks of the “sign” that the shepherds received: “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)
What a difference faith makes! It is plain enough in comparing these passages that King Ahaz, his descendant Joseph, and the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem were all given the same sign. A child born of a virgin, born for you, a Savior! This is the greatest sign ever given! But Ahaz in his scornful unbelief did not understand it at all. Perhaps he thought, “What is this old fool even saying? What does a baby have to do with my real life problems?” Perhaps you have at times treated the gospel message in a similar way. It is nice, but is it all that applicable to “real life”? Joseph and the shepherds took this sign to heart in true faith and what a difference that made! So it will be at the end of the world. The birth of Christ is the sign God has given for all times. He has pointed you to His Son, true God and true Man, who came to save you from your sins. He says, “Trust in God at all times, in every trouble, and even when the sky comes falling down.”
All will be well. For God is with us!
O God, grant us hearts to behold the miracle of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, our Savior and trust in Him. Amen.