The Virgin Birth

I have been raised my entire life to accept the stories of the Bible as literally true. I was biology major in College and had my beliefs tested at every turn. On what basis do I believe? Do I really believe in the story of Moses parting the Red Sea? Do I believe that Daniel was really in a den of tamed lions? Do I really believe in the story of a man swallowed by a huge fish? My answer to all of those questions is yes. It is the stories of the Bible that spark my relationship with God. It is the incredible stories of power, intervention, and faith that create the hope I have for eternity. Since we are about to celebrate another Christmas, it might be good to look at the story of the Virgin Birth. If Jesus could be born by the power of the Holy Spirit, then I have no doubt he could walk on water, change water into wine, heal the blind man, and by all means be raised to life on the third day.

The Meaning of Virgin

In Matthew 1:23, Matthew quotes from the prophet Isaiah, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel.” To better understand what the word Virgin means, let us look back at two Old Testament passages. First, we will look at the passage in Isaiah 7. As we do, let us first remember our biblical history. By this time, the nation of Israel had long been divided (931 BC). There was the northern Kingdom of Israel with her 10 tribes and a series of wicked kings. After many attempts of repentance through the preaching of the prophets, God brought judgment to the northern nation of Israel in 722 B.C. at the hands of Assyria. The Southern Kingdom of Judah was established with two tribes. They had an up and down history of good and bad kings. In the year 586 B.C., God brought judgment to Judah at the hands of Babylon. However, God remembered His promise to David and was not done with Judah. There would indeed be a King from David’s line upon the throne forever. The nation of Judah would return through the ministries of Ezra and Nehemiah. Isaiah 7 took place during the divided Kingdom phase and more specifically, during the Syro-Ephraimitic War (734 – 732 B.C.) Syria and Israel had joined alliance against Assyria. Both nations had hoped Judah would join their alliance. Judah, however, declined and Syria and Israel attacked Jerusalem. It was at this point that Jerusalem was surrounded and all seemed hopeless for King Ahaz and Judah. How could Judah withstand the might of the army surrounding Jerusalem? Would God intervene to aid Judah? Could God intervene? Through Isaiah, God reminds Ahaz that He would indeed intervene. He encouraged Ahaz and the nation of Judah to keep the faith. Through Isaiah, God reminded Ahaz, that “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Then God told Ahaz that he will give them a sign. In verse 14, God himself will give them a sign. Please note, the “you” in verse 14 is plural. The sign will be a virgin will give birth to a son.
What is a sign? Many people would like to say the word virgin means “young maiden.” It very well could mean that and does in a couple of places in scripture. But logically, what kind of sign is a young maiden giving birth. It would be like you and I saying, “A teenage girl will give birth…” Not much of a sign is it? Since God was going to give a sign, it had to be unique and unavoidable. An actual virgin is the only thing that makes since and fits the context of scripture.
Look also at Jeremiah 31:22. It says, “The Lord will create a new thing on earth a woman will surround a man.” What does “a woman will surround a man” mean? Maybe a good question would be, “How did the rabbis view this scripture?” Before the time of Christ, Rabbis wrote the following concerning this verse:
Messiah is to have no earthly father
The birth of the Messiah will be without defect. The birth of Messiah will be like that of no other man.
The birth of the Messiah will be like the dew of the Lord as drops on the grass without the action of man.

In the time of Christ’s birth, the Jewish people were expecting a “virgin birth.” I have every confidence that Matthew’s account meant Jesus would be born simply by the power of the Holy Spirit to a virgin named Mary.

The Mandate of Scripture

What if Jesus were not born of a virgin? What would it do to the Gospel?

First, it Weakens the Word. It we don’t accept the virgin birth, or if it is not literally true, what stories are true? Barna has come out with some interesting numbers: http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=286

- Three out of four adults (75%) said that they believe Jesus Christ was born to a virgin

- Seven out of ten adults (69%) embraced the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana as being literally true

- Two out of three people (68%) view the story of the loaves and fish factually accurate.

- Most Americans (64%) have no trouble believing that the planet-altering flood actually happened, in which Noah,

- In total, 56% of adults believe that the story of the devil, disguised as a serpent and tempting Eve to sin by eating the forbidden fruit, is literally true

- Only half of the population (49%) accepts the story of Samson and his strength as completely accurate.

- Born again Christians were far more likely than non-born again adults to accept each of the six narratives as fully accurate

- Protestants were more likely than Catholics to accept each of the six stories as literally true.

It really fascinates me to see the number of people who believe certain stories of the Bible and not others. Is the entire Word of God inspired or just parts of it? The heretical group, Jesus Seminar, has taken it upon themselves to decide which of the stories and words of Jesus are true, fictitious, or simply legend and fables. The group of scholars vote with colored marbles as to the authenticity of our Lord’s words and actions. Do you see the slippery slope we put ourselves on when we try to decide which stories are true or false? If Jesus was not born of a virgin, what stories can we accept? I believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and is reliable and accurate. Can I explain every story; Of course not. But would I really want to explain the actions of God? God is too big and awesome to have His works explained by a finite human mind like mine. Therefore, I believe every story from Noah’s flood to Jonah and the big fish is historically accurate and true. Furthermore, since I believe in the entire Word of God, I am able to accept that Jesus was born of a virgin; He lived a sinless perfect life; He was God in flesh; He died a substitutionary death for my sins; He is the atoning sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the entire world; He was raised to life on the third day, and He will come again.
Here is an interesting question: If 75% of the adults in America believe in the virgin birth, why does that believe not correlate into action? We have a nation who believes in the Bible yet far too many have an indifference to the things of God. If you believe in the Word of God, it must begin to change and shape your behavior. Your belief in God will always affect your behavior. If you behavior does not change, your belief is only superficial and shallow.
Secondly, if the Virgin Birth is not literal, it Waters down the Gospel. No longer could we accept the Deity of Christ. The belief of the sinlessness of Jesus would be far harder to accept. The power of Christ would even come into question. The very nature of Jesus would come into question if He had been born by natural means. But there is not doubt that Jesus is God in flesh, He was sinless, and He has divine power. The Virgin Birth supports and explains the unique claims of Jesus.

Message of Hope

The Virgin Birth reminds me of four very simple truths. First, God is able. What is impossible for man is possible for God. Secondly, God will intervene for His Glory and our good. Thirdly, God is always able to do the unexpected. Finally, God is able to “break our plans.” If there is one great lesson from the life of Mary it is this: God is looking for people who loosely hold their plans in their hands in order to allow God to intervene and break their plans. Do you think Mary grew up expecting to be the mother of God’s Son? Do you think she longed to be looked down upon by everyone in town? But God had different plans for her. God did not have an easy plan for Mary, but He had a much better plan. Mary was willing to forgo her dreams and let God do whatever He would choose to do for His glory and man’s good. How about you? What plans are you holding on too tightly? If God came to you today, would you be willing to let your future dreams die so you could align yourself with God’s plan for your life? Imagine if all those people who really believe the virgin birth would also have their behavior conformed into that of Christ’s behavior. Could you fathom what God could do? Let me assure you, if God had the power to have Mary give birth as a virgin, don’t you think He has the power to take care of you? Pray and ask God to break your plans for His glory and the good of others.