The Apostles' Creed
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 1:18–25
Series: Lutheran Confessions
Matthew 1:18–25
From the Confessions: The Apostles' Creed
“Born of the Virgin Mary”
Pulling It Together
The divinity of Jesus is seen in the Spirit of God causing Mary to be pregnant. He came over her and overshadowed her. There was nothing physical in the act. The Spirit of God simply caused her to be carrying Christ. The result is that Jesus had no sin from the start of his earthly life. The original sin of humankind (Rom 5:12-19) never touched Christ, who being born of a virgin had no earthly father. And so, we confess that Jesus is both divine and human—conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a woman.
As God, Jesus is just in paying the debt for our sins in order to bring us into a corrected relationship with God (Col 1:19-20). Being God incarnate—both divine and human at once—Jesus was able to restore our favor with God by procuring a pardon, or peace, through the blood of his sacrifice.
That he is human is vital. As man, Jesus knew what it is like to be human and tempted (Heb 4:15), yet he did not sin. Because he lives forever, he is able mediate for us, poor sinners that we are, representing us to the righteous judge of heaven.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for becoming man and while also fully God, paying the price for my sin. Amen.
Mary, Martha & Many Faithful Women is a five-session VBS book designed especially for small churches, house churches, and mission congregations with a limited budget or in situations where the ages and number of students may vary from session to session. This resource includes worksheets and handouts that may be reproduced, Resources and ideas are provided for gathering time, music, activities, games, and refreshments — allowing just a few adult leaders to host a week of Vacation Bible School.
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Author
Rev. Mark E. Ryman serves as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. Previously, Pastor Ryman has served other congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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Comments (2)
The scene in Luke where Gabriel tells Mary what will happen is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. I am both baffled and awed by the fact that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man, and I am mystified by the way it all works together for my salvation. It is not a rote recitation for me to say the words, "conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary." I am glad we keep saying those words over and over, because there is still more for me to discover in this mystery that is perfect Truth. On other issues, our church used one of the VBS books last summer, and it was great. Just perfect for our small school.
January 9, 2015 at 2:32pmWe are glad the VBS worked out well for you. Be blessed in the Mystery.
January 12, 2015 at 7:45pm