December 6th - The Angelic Prophecy of Jesus' Birth

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Passage:  The Angelic Prophecy (to Mary) of Jesus’ Birth

26–27 During the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent from God’s presence to an unmarried girl named Mary, living in Nazareth, a village in Galilee. She was engaged to a man named Joseph, a true descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Grace to you, young woman, for the Lord is with you and so you are anointed with great favour.” 29 Mary was deeply troubled over the words of the angel and bewildered over what this may mean for her. 30 But the angel reassured her, saying, “Do not yield to your fear, Mary, for the Lord has found delight in you and has chosen to surprise you with a wonderful gift. 31 You will become pregnant with a baby boy, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be supreme and will be known as the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will enthrone him as King on his ancestor David’s throne. 33 He will reign as King of Israel forever, and his reign will have no limit.” 34 Mary said, “But how could this happen? I am still a virgin!” 35 Gabriel answered, “The Spirit of Holiness will fall upon you and almighty God will spread his shadow of power over you in a cloud of glory! This is why the child born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your aged aunt, Elizabeth, has also become pregnant with a son. The ‘barren one’ is now in her sixth month. 37 Not one promise from God is empty of power, for nothing is impossible with God!” 38 Then Mary responded, saying, “This is amazing! I will be a mother for the Lord! As his servant, I accept whatever he has for me. May everything you have told me come to pass.” And the angel left her (Luke 1:26-38)

13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I (God) will be his father, and he will be my son (2 Samuel 7:13,14).

Ponder:

“Mary’s age is not given, but in this culture, she could be as young as twelve.” Christians commonly refer to Jesus’ mother as the Virgin Mary, in accordance with the belief that the Holy Spirit impregnated her, thereby conceiving her first-born Jesus miraculously, without sexual relations with her betrothed/husband Joseph "until her son [Jesus] was born" (Matt 1:25). God miraculously took the role of father in this unique human conception, another reason why Christians see Jesus as the God-man (see prophecy above from 2 Sam 7:6-16).

The Gospel of Luke is known as The Book of the Perfect Man. It presents Jesus of Nazareth as the anointed perfect man, who after a perfect ministry provides a perfect salvation for sinful humanity. The word Son is mentioned 145 times with Son of Man mentioned 25 times.

“Mary reflects the person whom God unexpectedly choses to use. She brings no outstanding credentials to the task and lives on the edge of the nation. She brings nothing on her résumé other than her availability and willingness to serve.”

 “Spiritual greatness is not a matter of social class, monetary clout, or degreed background; it is a function of the heart.” 

Luke wants us not only to see Mary as the humble mother of Jesus, but also as an example of faith”**
As Gabriel says nothing is impossible with God!

Elizabeth’s Seclusion for 5 months, sometime between 14.12.07BC – 08.09.06BC.

 

Prayer:

Thank you that you work miracles Lord. Help me to believe for your supernatural intervention in the lives of my friends and family. When all looks impossible let me confess nothing is impossible with God.

The lyrics of a Christmas song come to mind, as I think of Mary’s willingness and humility; “You can come and see the King but the door is low, you must bow your knee and then pray before you go.” Keep me willing, available and humble to fulfil your purposes today Lord. Amen.

 

*(The Jesus Diary – The Most Comprehensive Chronology of the Life of Jesus Christ, the Son of God)

** Luke: The NIV Application commentary from Biblical Text to Contemporary Life: Darrell L. Brock – Quotations (moving forward) will be from this source and The Matthew Commentary Collection by Wilkins, Osborne and McKnight.


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