The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Today we will be discussing Luke 1:26-38, the birth of Jesus foretold.

In verse twenty six Luke is careful to point out that it was in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy that “the angel Gabriel was sent from God” to Nazareth. Luke wants his readers to know that the events he is about to share were prompted by God Himself.

Gabriel is sent to speak to a virgin, engaged to a man by the name of Joseph. Luke again shares some Jewish genealogy when he writes, “Joseph of the house of David”. This is significant because of, what was told to King David by Nathan the prophet.

Read 2^nd Samuel 7:5-17. This is a Messianic prophecy concerning Jesus. So, when Luke makes mention of Joseph's ancestry it is for good reason. He is letting the reader know that the birth of Jesus is going to be prophecy fulfilled.

Verses 28-33 recounts the proclamation of Gabriel to Mary, where Gabriel tells her she will have a son and what he will be named. Luke quotes Gabriel as he tells Mary, that prophecy will be fulfilled in the statement he makes in verses 32-33. Gabriel says that Jesus will receive “the throne of his father David”ESV and that His kingdom will be eternal. So, Joseph's ancestry is very significant isn't it? Even though Joseph will not be the biological father of Jesus, Jesus will be born into the line of David. (we'll look at this more in later comments)

Mary's reaction is one of questioning, not a lack of faith, like we saw with Zechariah. She simply asks “how will this be, since I am a virgin?”ESV The angel answers her question in verses 35-37. "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." ESV Did you notice Gabriel throws in the fact that Elizabeth as an old woman is going to have a baby? I think he says this to show that God can do anything He wants, He is not limited by biology. What a powerful God we have!

Mary responds to Gabriel in absolute faith. "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." ESV She welcomes the blessing God has chosen to bestow upon her. Think of her faith. A young virgin, already engaged is told she will become pregnant and give birth to the Son of God. God can do incredible things through the lives of faithful people.

The passage that we looked at today shows us that God keeps his promises and that the birth of Jesus was always planned for. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Isaiah 7:14 ESV Luke recounts the moment in time when God was fulfilling His promise.

Tomorrow we will go over verses 39-45 of Luke chapter one when Mary visits Elizabeth.

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman

The birth of John the Baptist foretold

 Today we will be looking at verses 5 through 25 of Luke chapter one, these verses speak about the birth of John the Baptist.

It is obvious in this passage that Luke did his homework concerning the religious history and traditions of the Jews. Luke had quite an understanding of the Aaronic priesthood. He made note of couple of significant facts; there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Luke 1:5 ESV See Chronicles 24:1-10 and Exodus 6:23-25. The average Greek would not have known the genealogical history and significance of Zechariah and Elizabeth. But Luke took the time to research it and present it in his account.

Luke also makes the point that they were both righteous before God. He also points out that Elizabeth was unable to have children and that she and Zechariah were elderly. Luke then lets us know that it was during Zechariah's service to God, that God sent an angel with some incredible news. (Verses 8-13) They were going to have a son! In verses 14-17 the angel explains that there are great things that will come from the birth of this son.

Even though an angel of God stands before him making this proclamation, Zechariah doubts. He basically says to the angel; we are old, how could this happen? The angel Gabriel responds to his doubt by making him mute until the prophecy was fulfilled.

Luke then tells us in verses 24 and 25 that just as the angel said would happen, Elizabeth did become pregnant. But, she kept it quiet for five months.

As we look back over these verses we can see that God used His system of the priesthood and ancestral lines to bring about His will. To bring forth the prophet that would prepare the people for their long awaited Messiah.

Luke wants his readers to understand that God had been planning for the birth of Jesus all the way back when he established the Aaronic priesthood in the wilderness wanderings of the exodus. Isn't it interesting that God uses a non-Jew to point this out?

Tomorrow we look at the foretelling of the birth of Jesus. Luke 1:26-38

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman