Long ago through the Prophet Isaiah, the LORD said, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel: (Isa. 7:14). Skeptics have long assailed the truth of the virgin birth of Christ as a myth. However, at least three people knew that Jesus was born of the virgin. There are also three absolutely essential reasons why He had to be born of the virgin

Who are the people that knew Jesus was born of the virgin? Mary certainly knew that Jesus was virgin-born. When the angel Gabriel came to Mary and proclaimed she would conceive and bring forth a Son who would be called the Son of the Highest (Luke 1:30-32), she was perplexed over his statement. “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34). By this question Mary revealed she was still a virgin. Gabriel then explained she would be with child by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). Joseph also knew that Jesus was virgin-born. When Mary was found to be with child, Joseph, being a just man, was considering divorcing her until the angel of the Lord told him in a dream that Mary was with child by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18-20). In taking Mary as his wife, Joseph confirmed the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus certainly knew that He was virgin-born. In acknowledging He was the Son of God, Jesus was affirming the virgin birth. Read John 8:41, 42.

What are the essential reasons Jesus had to be born of the virgin? First, He had to be virgin-born to fulfill prophecy (Isa. 7:14). The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 demanded the virgin birth. Second, Jesus had to be born of the virgin to be the Son of God. He was not begotten by man; He was begotten by God, and only a virgin birth could proclaim that truth. Third, Jesus had to be virgin-born to redeem sinful man. If He were but a man, He could not have died for fallen man.