Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:26-27
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Matt 1:18
Everyone in Christianity knows this story – a young Jewish virgin carrying the Savior.
But could this happen today?
Now before you jump my case, let me state I know that it won’t happen again!
Jesus has come in the flesh, was crucified, buried, resurrected on the third day, and is sitting at the right hand of the Father.
My question is this: had Jesus not come two millennia ago, would it be possible for Him to be born today?
That depends on what is required.
First, He must be born of the house of David, that is, King David must be an ancestor.
Most of Jewish ancestry is kept by household to household but I’m not sure with any certainty that one could trace his/her lineage back to David, who lived some 3000 years ago. I know how difficult it has been to trace my own family tree even back to 500 years ago.
Second, Messiah would have to be born of a virgin. I mean no disrespect to any young ladies that may be reading this but that in itself could be a difficult find given today’s loose morals and standards. Plus the virgin must be Jewish in David’s ancestral line.
Third, the scripture says in Micah 5:2 – but you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.
So the Savior must be born in Bethlehem.
We can also add that we’ll need a Jewish man, also an ancestor of David, who will be willing marry the pregnant Jewish virgin and raise the Child as if it were his own.
There would have to be a forerunner to Messiah, announcing His arrival.
For the Messiah to fulfill scripture there must be sacrifice, which there is not. Without the Temple there is no sacrifice; without a sacrifice He cannot fulfill the Law.
There would have to be some form of capital punishment that could be handed down as punishment in an unjust trial. Although Israel has a death penalty, it is seldom used, even for terrorists.
It would seem there are too many variables and equations missing for Him to come as He did the first time.
Again the scripture reveals that Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Rom 5:6 NLT
But are things right for Him to return?
If not, it soon will be!