Why Was He Born of a Virgin?

[Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:39-56]
[Sung Psalm: 80]

We usually just read just Isaiah 7:14 – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” But when you read the whole chapter, the sign of Immanuel takes on new significance. It's a time of political turmoil, with the whole Middle East in upheaval.

Sound familiar?

Into this crazy, uncertain world, Isaiah comes to king Ahaz and says, don't be afraid – their plans will not stand. And he tells Ahaz, “ask a sign.” But Ahaz refuses and pretends to be pious: “I will not put the LORD to the test.”

And so God chooses the sign. And the sign that God chooses is one that stands for all ages – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”

Our world has gone crazy. Whether it was the mad lust for power of the ancient kings, or the mad lust for pleasure of today, the world is not as it should be. But into this world where nothing is as it should be, God says, “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son.” Talk about something that shouldn't happen! Virgins shouldn't conceive! But when she does, the child who is born shall be called Immanuel – God with us.