Jesus Should Never Have Existed
The birth of Jesus Christ is one of the most significant events in human history, and the lineage leading up to His birth is nothing short of miraculous. Within this genealogy, three women who were barren—Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel—played pivotal roles in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
Additionally, the virgin birth of Mary adds another layer of divine intervention that defies all statistical probabilities. In this article, we will explore how these three barren women and the virgin mother, Mary, were integral to Jesus's birth and how their stories highlight the impossibility of His coming without God's intervention.
The Improbability of Barren Women in the Lineage of Christ
In the ancient world, barrenness was often seen as a curse or a sign of divine disfavor. Yet, in the lineage of Jesus Christ, we find three women who were initially barren but later became mothers of key figures in His genealogy. The statistical improbability of three barren women giving birth to ancestors of the Messiah underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus's birth.
Humanly speaking, the chances of a lineage surviving and thriving despite such obstacles are extremely low. Yet, against all odds, these women became mothers through divine intervention, paving the way for the birth of Jesus Christ. Their stories are a testament to the fact that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human limitations or circumstances.
Sarah Begins Jesus's Lineage
Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is the first barren woman in the lineage of Jesus Christ. For many years, Sarah was unable to conceive, despite God's promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. At the age of 90, well past the natural age of childbearing, Sarah miraculously gave birth to Isaac. Isaac's birth marked the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.
Isaac would go on to father Jacob, who was later named Israel. Jacob became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, one of which was Judah, the tribe from which Jesus would eventually be born. Without Sarah's miraculous conception, the nation of Israel would not have come into existence, and the lineage leading to Jesus would have been impossible.
The statistical improbability of Sarah giving birth at such an advanced age highlights the divine intervention necessary for the continuation of the line that would produce the Messiah. In a world where fertility is typically associated with youth, Sarah's pregnancy defies all natural explanations and points to the power of God's promise.
Rebekah Continued the Promise
Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, was the second barren woman in the lineage of Jesus. Like her mother-in-law Sarah, Rebekah was unable to conceive for many years. Isaac prayed to God on her behalf, and God answered by granting her twins, Esau and Jacob. Jacob, the younger of the twins, would become the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, further establishing the lineage through which the Messiah would come.
Rebekah's story is significant because it shows the continuation of God's promise to Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. Jacob's descendants would become the nation of Israel, and from the tribe of Judah, the line of David would emerge, eventually leading to Jesus Christ.
The fact that both Sarah and Rebekah were barren before giving birth to key figures in Jesus's lineage further emphasizes the statistical improbability of the Messiah's birth. Without God's intervention, these women would have remained childless, and the line of promise would have ended. Rebekah's story is a powerful reminder that God's plans are not limited by human constraints and that He is faithful to fulfill His promises.
Rachel was the Wife and Mother of Joseph and Benjamin
Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, is the third barren woman in the lineage of Jesus. Rachel faced a long period of barrenness before God opened her womb. She gave birth to Joseph, who would later save his family from famine and become a powerful leader in Egypt. While Joseph is not directly in the lineage of Jesus, Rachel's other son, Benjamin, plays a significant role in the broader narrative of Israel's history.
Rachel's story is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. Her perseverance and faith eventually led to the birth of children who would contribute to the unfolding of God's plan for Israel and, by extension, the coming of the Messiah.
The fact that Rachel, like Sarah and Rebekah before her, was barren before giving birth further underscores the statistical improbability of the Messiah's lineage. The continuation of the line through Rachel's son Benjamin, and the broader role of Joseph in preserving Israel, highlights the divine orchestration necessary for the birth of Jesus.
The Ultimate Miracle of The Virgin Birth
While the stories of Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel highlight the statistical improbability of Jesus's birth, the virgin birth of Mary adds another layer of miraculous intervention. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit, without the involvement of a human father. This event is not just improbable but entirely unprecedented in human history.
The virgin birth fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, which states, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." The fulfillment of this prophecy through Mary demonstrates that Jesus's birth was a divine act, orchestrated by God to bring about the salvation of humanity.
The statistical improbability of a virgin birth, combined with the stories of the three barren women in Jesus's lineage, makes His coming an event that could only occur through divine intervention. Without God's direct involvement, the lineage leading to Jesus would have been cut off long before His birth, and the Messiah would not have come into the world.
The Divine Thread Leading to Christ
The stories of Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel, combined with the virgin birth of Mary, form a divine thread that runs through the entire lineage of Jesus Christ. This thread is characterized by the miraculous intervention of God at key moments in history, ensuring the continuation of the line that would produce the Savior.
The fact that three barren women and a virgin mother are central to this lineage highlights the divine nature of Jesus's birth. Humanly speaking, the odds of these events occurring in succession are astronomically low. Yet, with God, nothing is impossible. He orchestrated every detail to bring about the birth of His Son, ensuring that His redemptive plan for humanity was fulfilled.
God's Power Made Perfect in Weakness
The fact that God chose barren women and a virgin mother to be part of Jesus's lineage is a powerful reminder that God's power is made perfect in weakness. In a society where barrenness was seen as a sign of shame or failure, God chose to work through these women to bring about His greatest miracle—the birth of the Savior.
This pattern of using the weak, the despised, and the overlooked is a hallmark of God's character. It demonstrates that God's ways are not our ways and that He often chooses the least likely candidates to accomplish His purposes. The stories of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Mary are testimonies to God's ability to bring life out of death and hope out of despair.
Miraculous Birth of the Messiah
The lineage of Jesus Christ is a testament to the miraculous intervention of God at every stage of His redemptive plan. Without the miraculous births of Isaac, Jacob, and Benjamin, the line of promise would have been cut off long before Jesus's birth. The statistical improbability of these events, combined with the virgin birth of Mary, underscores the divine nature of Jesus's coming.
As we reflect on the lineage of Jesus Christ, we are reminded that God's plans are far greater than our understanding. He works through the most unlikely people and circumstances to bring about His purposes. The barren women who became mothers of nations and the virgin mother who bore the Savior are a testament to the fact that with God, nothing is impossible. Their legacy is not just one of biological motherhood but of spiritual fruitfulness that ultimately led to the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.