Hauerwas on Matthew 1 (4)

After four posts, we finally come to the end of Matthew chapter 1!  Today, the focus is on the birth narratives:  Matthew 1:18-25.  We get the viewpoint of Joseph - but Matthew does not diminish Mary.  Her obedience to receive the Holy Spirit is what leads to the pathway of salvation being opened to humans.  SH mentions that Mary has been called ‘the second Eve’ but that ‘a second Abraham’ might be more in order:  “Just as Abraham obeyed God’s call for him to leave his familiar land to journey to a foreign destination, so Mary through her willingness to become the very Mother of God is the beginning of the church" (p.36).  This is a comparison that I have not heard before - and I think it works well.  Both individuals were obedient to something uncomfortable… and through their obedience… God was able to produce a group of people that He would lead and bless (Abraham - Nation of Israel; Mary - Church of Christ).

There are two facets to the story, which are traditional and orthodox, to which SH affirms.  1) Jesus was conceived through the work of the Holy Spirit.  2) Jesus was born of a Jewish virgin.  Removing either of these facets will change the story in ways that make it no longer work.

It must be noted that the Holy Spirit’s role is present in Matthew from the very beginning of his story (v.18).  We will see the Holy Spirit again in this gospel.  SH suggests that “for Matthew, the work of the Spirit is to point to the humanity of Christ" (p.33).  

Jesus was born through a Jewish woman - we cannot separate out the fact that Jesus has Jewish flesh... that frames the entire gospel.  The virgin birth gives us a very clear picture of the sonship of Jesus next to God the Father.  This is also a part of the story that cannot be told without the virgin birth.  And it fulfills the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy (v. 22-23).  Matthew sets up a pattern in verse 22 that will be repeated throughout the gospel:  “all of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through the prophet.”

I really did not do justice to SH’s thoughts on Matthew 1.  I had to leave out so much good stuff that he observed!  I need to move forward and begin working ahead in Matthew.  But first: tomorrow I’ll take a short break in between chapters and focus on something else.  Stay tuned.  We’ll pick back up on Matthew 2 on Saturday.