The Mystery of the Messiah: Part 3 – The Mystery of the Messiah’s Birth

Watch the entire recorded message by >>Clicking Here<<

Bible Reading: 1^st Peter 1:10-12  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:  (11)  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.  (12)  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Up to this point we have set the foundation for this teaching. We learned from Part 1: The Paradoxes of the Messianic Prophecies and from Part 2: The Mystery of the Messiah’s Lineage. Now, we’ll go into Part 3: The Mystery of Messiah’s Birth.

He would be born in Bethlehem – Matthew 2:6  And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Shepherds Worship Him at the Manger in Bethlehem

Luke 2:8-14  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  (9)  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  (10)  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  (11)  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  (12)  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  (13)  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  (14)  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

It’s apparent this announcement was made to the shepherds on the day of Jesus’ birth. Given the shepherds were “…abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” shows us that the birth of Christ was not on December 25th but rather was likely around mid-September.

According to one Bible commentator (Adam Clarke), it was traditional for the Jews to send their sheep to pasture from the spring until early October. As the cold winter months began, the flocks would return from the fields for protection and warmth. Since the shepherds were still tending their flocks in the fields around Bethlehem it can be deduced that the angels announced the news of Jesus’ birth no later than October.

It’s estimated that Jesus was born into this world around mid to late September instead. (Find the explanation of this at When Was Jesus Actually Born? Biblical, Historical Evidence)

This is why, although December 25^th is a celebration of the day of His birth, it is not a birthday celebration as we know it. That is also why we will use decorations that depict the manger scene, but not use decorations that say “Happy Birthday, Jesus”. This is because celebrating a birth day (day of someone’s birth) is not the same as celebrating another year of life, called a “birthday”.

Wise Men Worship Him In The House In Nazareth

Matthew 2:11  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

This was probably around two years old (not at the manger). We notice the use of the phrase “into the house”, not “into the manger”.

Notice also this time the angel calls Jesus “the young child” (Greek: paidion – an infant)and not “the babe” (Greek: brefos – an unborn or newborn child), as the angel told the shepherds in Luke 2:12.

The Flight into Egypt

Matthew 2:13  And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. Fulfilling Hosea 11:1  When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

This happened just after the wise men left. Notice again the use of the phrase “the young child”, not “the babe”.

Herod Kills Males Two Years And Under

Matthew 2:16  Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Why did Herod choose the age of two years old if Jesus was still a newborn in the manger when the wise men saw Him? This is because it’s more likely that by the time the wise men got to Jesus, He was older than a newborn baby.

Remember, Matthew 2:12  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. This means that by the time they found Jesus, the plan of Herod was already in the works.

Two years old is the generally agreed upon age of Jesus because it appears that Herod counted back to around the time the wise men came to him until the time he decided to commit this atrocity.

This would be a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Jeremiah 31:15  Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

Through the providence of God, Jesus was spared being part of fulfilling this prophecy so that He may …grow up before him as a tender plant (Isaiah 53:2) and …justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11).

Have you allowed Jesus to bear your iniquities and bring complete peace into your world?

This site is dedicated to Encouraging Men and Women to Walk in a Personal Relationship with God. If this article has added value to your life for God, consider subscribing by >>Clicking Here << and joining our YouTube family by >> Subscribing Here <<.

Thank you!

Pastor Fulmer