Luke 1:32-33 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
 
FIRST, let’s ask, “Who is Jesus?” The question has repeatedly been asked since our Lord became Immanuel, God with us. The Jews during Jesus’ human life on earth and the world since than have had formed their own answers to deny Jesus’ glorious identity. In truth, though, God gives to Mary and to all the world one clear answer. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”  Plain, pointed and powerful, God’s messenger Gabriel defined God become man through Mary’s womb.
    Now let’s ask another question: “But If Jesus is the Son of God, how can it be that Gabriel also said, ‘The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.’ Is Gabriel saying that King David, who lived 800 years before this time, is the father of the Son of God?” Yes, in one way that is true. And Gabriel uses this language to tell Mary and the Jews that God is about to activate a promise he made to David. See it here as recorded in 2 Samuel 7:16 “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” God told David that the eternal Kingdom of God will come out of David’s house. This is David’s family line. “Father” means ancestor. Both Mary and Joseph descended from different branches of David’s house. Gabriel’s words confirm Jesus the man is David’s descendant.
    Third, we ask, “What of the reference to house of Jacob here?” All the Jews are descended from Jacob’s house. Jacob, who is Abraham’s grandson and Isaac’s son, is the father of 12 sons. Each son became respectively, the “father” of the 12 tribes – or 12 houses – within the house of Jacob. The name “Israel” is another name for Jacob. Jacob received this new name in Genesis 32:28 Then the man (perhaps the pre-incarnate Christ) said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” God redeemed Jacob from his sins to prepare Jacob’s house for the Savior. “Israel”, the name, reminds the Jews of God’s redeeming work to restore and to fulfill his promises.
    In summary, Gabriel’s short message reveals the truth of God’s story and his holy character. For centuries God used the prophets to promise he would send a Savior to the Jews through Jacob’s and David’s family. Gabriel’s words affirm the events about to happen are God’s plans fulfilled. 
    God has plans for you and your house, too. Listen to him as did Jacob, David, Mary and many others. Open the Bible daily. Spend time with God. You will hear his personal promises to forgive, empower and love you. Perhaps he has great plans for your house. Maybe your family will be a witness to the world to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”
 
Prayer: Open my ears to your promises, Father. I pray my house is a house of worship, praise and witness of the Savior to the world. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. 
 

Luke 1:31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
 
MARY is processing a good deal of information. An angel from God comes to her. She’s been addressed as “highly favored”. She is uncertain, wondering, “What’s going on here?” Her mind twirls in circles.
    Then she gets the core of Gabriel’s message. What she hears is the answer to what every Hebrew female likely had wondered, “Will I be the one to give birth to our Savior?” That’s what “Jesus” means: “Jesus” in Hebrew is pronounced “Ye shu a”. Another way to say it in English is Joshua. Jesus is the Greek form of Yeshua. The name means “Savior”. Gabriel, the angel, just told Mary she will give birth to the Savior. Think of this. I’m in awe the holy God would so personally interact with unholy mankind. I’m sure Mary was, too.
    What would you do? I think about what it’s like when we receive really good news, especially if it’s the answer to a long-held question to release us from uncertainty. There’s “warmth” of release. Our souls then experience a cleansing, as a cool cup of water on a hot summer day. “Thank you, Father.” God has indeed come to express his favor on her. She is truly “highly favored” to be Jesus’ personal human gateway into his creation. 
There is a pleasure in knowing God’s love is purposefully guiding your life. We’ll see that Mary does know much of God. She worships God. She expresses faith and expectation in his great power and purpose for his people. And now she is coming into a very, very close relationship with him. She will need God’s comforting hands many times in the future. The accusations from Joseph and family, the trip to Bethlehem, the flight to Egypt, the threats against her son as he debates the Pharisees, the cross and the tomb will bring great trial to this favored Jewish woman. Still, she trusts and believes in her purposes. Mary understands our lives are not our own as God will use us to demonstrate his glory and salvation in the world.
 
Prayer: Lord God, you have created me. You have chosen me to be your child. I am yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 1:29-30 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.”
 
IN our last lesson, we focused on the wonder of God extending his eternal salvation favor into our lives. Yes, it is joyful news to hear, “You have found favor (grace) with God.”
    But for some of us, we may have some reservations to hear such news. Have you ever had someone come to you and say, “You are so gifted. You’re just the right person for…?” Maybe you thought, “Now what? I don’t have time for another job or responsibility. Maybe if I don’t say anything, maybe if I play dumb, he’ll go away, and I can go home.” New things to do can be uncomfortable and troublesome. It’s better to keep life simple.
    We don’t know all of Mary’s thoughts here, but Mary certainly knew dramatic change was coming into her life. No longer be simple for her. God’s messenger was talking to her. His appearance stunned her. His greeting disturbed her. “What could he possibly want? Why would God speak to me?”
    Mary knew God’s history. She knew he came to average people, and he directed them to do great things for him. She knew about Moses, Joshua, Rahab, Gideon, Ruth, Elijah, Nehemiah and all the others. She knew God had favored a murderer, a prostitute, a fearful farmer, and even some faithful ones to do his will on earth. She knew God sent his favored ones to do humanly impossible tasks.
    That’s why she was troubled. A message from God is life-changing. She wasn’t sure she wanted her life to change.
    Sound familiar?
 
Prayer: Change my heart, oh God, to feel and enjoy your favor to do the impossible. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Luke 1:26-28 “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
 
LUKE shifts the scene from the older Zechariah and Elizabeth to the young, “famous” Christmas couple. Hello, Joseph and Mary. Joseph’s still on the sidelines a bit. Mary becomes the main character. She’s the virgin.
    Oh my, Mary’s virginity is a very big deal. This is so because in Genesis, immediately after Eve and Adam (another young “famous” couple) disobeyed God, God turned to them and said this to Satan: Genesis 3:15 “I will put hatred between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”  
    The Lord declared with these words that he would make the world right without sin again as he had created it. He would do so through the seed of a woman – not a woman and a man, but a woman only. Centuries later, God then reminded the Jews through Isaiah 7:14 “The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (“Immanuel” means “God come down”)
    Oh, yes. As Gabriel went to “a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David” he acted under God’s eternal salvation plan. Here is the Lord’s next step to restore the world to perfection. He chose Mary, this teen-aged virgin Jewish girl to bear the Savior of the world. That’s why Gabriel could say to her, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  
    Here’s something I’d like you to know: You are as Mary. How is that? God, indeed, had a special purpose for highly favored Mary. And God has a special purpose for highly favored you.
    Do you think I’m crazy? I’m not. Nope. I’m just looking at God; I’m looking at the cross, and I’m looking at God’s Word. Everything God has done since the Garden of Eden has been for you and all whom he has chosen to be his own. Yes, you are so highly favored God has moved history to save you. Immanuel came through the virgin to be
your Savior. Immanuel came to free you from sin. God came down to point you up to heaven. God entered into the earth to graciously give your life the purpose that God ordained long, long, ago. Oh yes, my friend you are as Mary. As you confess Jesus is Lord of your life, God’s high favor lifts you up from Eden’s sin into the highest heaven.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I am so very grateful and humbled to be saved in your choosing, to be so eternally favored. In Jesus’ name I give thanks. Amen.

Luke 1:23-25 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
 
ZECHARIAH’S a good man. He’s so faithful. Look at him. God has placed a big-time (no, HUGE) favor on him and his wife Elizabeth. A very special son, John, is coming. John will point the way to the Messiah. Zechariah is UP THERE!
    But look at his response. He remains faithful to his duties. He has an appointed time to be in Jerusalem, so he can work at the Temple. No, he isn’t suddenly too important to forego his service to God and to the Jews. He faithfully fulfills his priestly duties just as he always has.
    Then see Elizabeth. You must love her humility. She is amazed, honored and humbled that God has opened her long barren womb to give her a son. What a beautiful response to God’s blessings: “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
    Are you amazed at what God has done, is doing, in your life? Are you feeling honored and humble that God has chosen you to be his child? Are you experiencing God’s favor on you? Have you stopped to consider, as I asked previously, the remarkable things God has brought to your life? Elizabeth did. I hope you do know and express God’s great favor for your life.
    I know. Most days, as we experience life’s realities, it’s difficult to feel anything special from God, isn’t it? Often you’re dealing with those inevitable “too” things. You know what they are: too much stress, too many worries, too much doubt, too little time with God, too much time with hassle, too undecided…and the list goes on too long. How is it possible to know God’s favor in these circumstances?
    Let’s learn how from Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s example. Remember how this couple were upright in the sight of God. (Luke 1:6) Upright before God means you trust him. You obey his commands, and you look his way when you make decisions. Upright before God is believing he is your strength and your help. You understand his grace is sufficient to save you to eternal life. Upright is putting God on top of your life’s priorities list.
    That’s what you do, when the “too’s” are too much. Put God at the top of your list. Go ahead. Write your list of who and what is most important in your life. Is God anywhere near the top? If not, rearrange your list. Put God at the top. I mean at the TOP - before everything! Put HIM up there. Look up to him and be upright in him. Then you will see how his favor will increasingly cover you.
    Be as Zechariah and Elizabeth. Humbly serve the Lord because he is most important of all in your life.
 
Prayer: Lord God in Heaven, I put you at the top of my list. You are the most important truth of my life. I love you more than anything or anyone. In Jesus’ name, I praise you, amen.

Luke 1:21-22 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out (from the Holy of Holies), Zechariah could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
 
ZECHARIAH had seen and heard God’s messenger Gabriel. But God has silenced his tongue to affirm his power to do the impossible. Zechariah has an extraordinary event to tell the Jews in the temple. But all he could do was make signs to them. Still the people knew something remarkable had happened to Zechariah. Don’t you think this godly priest was frustrated he could not tell the message of Gabriel, the messenger?
    How about you? Have you ever considered God’s remarkable acts in your life? Have you ever told anyone? What extraordinary experiences would you be eager to tell?
    Let’s think for a minute. Would it be remarkable to have a Bible to read? Some of my pastor friends in Africa reading this will certainly tell you how rare it is for people in their church – and even for themselves – to have a Bible. Surely it is an extraordinary thing to have God’s Word so available to you. Many of us have more than one copy, don’t we?
    Or have you thought of this: You have experienced someone praying for you. This is also quite remarkable, isn’t it? As you heard words of love, mercy and compassion from someone caring for you, interceding to the Almighty God for you, an extraordinary event has occurred in your life! Surely we can consider many, many remarkable events in our lives, can’t we?
    Yes, if you are a Christian, you have, as did Zechariah, received some life-changing messages from God. They sound like this: “God so loved you, he sent Jesus to die for you.” “By grace you have been saved.” “Confess Jesus and be saved.” “I will make all things new.” Certainly, you’ve also heard, “I forgive you.” “I love you.” “Be at peace.” “Rejoice and be glad.” “Come to me and I will give you rest.”
    I encourage you to consider the many remarkable ways God has spoken to you. Then do something Zechariah couldn’t do. Speak about your remarkable experiences. Be bursting in your heart to express these events with those around you. Openly confess of God’s amazing words and works into your life. Let people know, and help them see the ways God’s remarkable messages have come to them, too.
    As Jesus’ church, let’s put our voices together. Tell others of the ways God has spoken to you.
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I rejoice in your remarkable plan to save me to eternal life. In Jesus’ name I celebrate you! Amen.
 
 

 

Luke 1:18-20 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”
 
GABRIEL, God’s messenger, has just given to the priest Zechariah a very impossible promise. “You and Elizabeth are going to have a son to be as Elijah!” Zechariah would know that this is Malachi’s prophecy come true! (Malachi 4:5 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.) For 400 years the Jews had waited for an Elijah-like prophet to announce the coming of the Messiah. Zechariah has just heard that his son to soon come is the Savior’s Messenger! Zechariah’s son will prepare a people for the Lord. Centuries of waiting is done.
    What would be your response to such a promise? Would you, as Zechariah, respond with unbelief? Would you tell Gabriel, “That’s impossible.”
    I probably would. In fact, I’m sure I have often said to God, “That’s impossible!” For example, I often find it impossible to believe Jesus’ words as recorded in Matthew 6:33: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
    Instead, I often say, “Now what do I do? Jesus’ teaching is too simple. This way of God is impossible. How can trusting Jesus be the solution? I need to be in control. Surely worry will help!”
    It’s a wonder God doesn’t strike me speechless as he did Zechariah. If my tongue will not confess God’s wonders and faith in God’s promises, what good is my tongue? He is the Lord God, who can and daily does the “impossible”.
    God’s promise here is of a new day to come to the earth. Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s’ lives will have new meaning, and their response will glorify God. God will use their son to open the final door to the One who is to come and give to us eternal life.
    Eternal salvation is impossible and cannot be unless God does his miracles. And so he does. Yes, trusting God’s salvation through Jesus is our heart’s foundation to build our faith to confess and believe, “God is my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) With such faith we can let go of, “That’s impossible.” to hear God say, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” And this: The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:10-11)
     Some days it is good to be silent to hear God’s confident and comforting promises for you.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your eternal promises. Grow my faith to exalt you in all I do. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. 

Luke 1:16-17 Many of the people of Israel will he (John) bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous –  to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
 
GOD has set the stage. Everything has been arranged since eternity past and now God’s great gift of love is about to come into the world! 
    But there is one final thing to do. One final person must come on stage before the main act occurs. Before the star comes out, God wants to excite his people to cheer and to celebrate his Savior of the world. The Savior’s own  prophecies and teachings, his presence and his power await the announcer to introduce him to the world. God’s desire is for his people to expectantly and joyfully raise their hearts to receive his Son.
    John is to be the impassioned announcer. Go to 1 Kings to read of Elijah’s passion and power to awaken people to God. Elijah pointed out Israel’s sins. He demonstrated God’s salvation through great miracles. God will use John in an “Elijah-like” way to awaken the Jews to his judgment and to prepare his people for God’s salvation. Fathers will care for their children in God’s ways. The Jews and then the world will listen to what is right. Many from this time on will be ready to wholeheartedly receive their Savior!
    How about you? Have you met the Savior? If you haven’t, read through the entire gospel of Luke. You will meet the Lord in all his humanity and his glory. If you have met the Savior, Luke will help you be renewed in the Lord God’s passion for you.
    As you confess, “I know Jesus.” It is a very good time to be as Elijah and John were. You can announce the Savior to the world, can’t you? You can tell of the Savior’s passion and God’s power to forgive sins. You can proclaim to the world how Jesus has offered his eternal life to those who believe in him.
    Go ahead. Be a Jesus Announcer. Get people excited. Pray their hearts are raised up to meet Jesus. Tell your friends God’s Savior has come for them.
 
Prayer: Open my mouth, Lord, to announce your salvation. In Jesus’ saving power I pray, amen.

Luke 1:5-7 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

LUKE makes several references to secular rulers during the time of Jesus’ life on earth. Herod is mentioned here. As an historian, Luke gives evidence to prove God’s story is not fantasy but has a place in history. This is a crucial aspect to our defense of Jesus’ life and the gospel records as true events at a particular time.
    Then Luke introduces a husband and wife very similar to Abraham and Sarah from Genesis, Manoah and his wife (parents of Samson {interesting her name is not given}) in Judges and Elkanah and Hannah from 1 Samuel. God had formed Zechariah and Elizabeth to live in faith with him as we learn “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.”
    Wow! Blameless before God, they are as good as people can be. But we must remember they were not without sin. Being blameless before God is to diligently strive to live obediently to God’s law. They would be humble to confess their sins and follow the “law of Moses” as written in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.
    Sadly, something was imperfect in their marriage. To be childless was a serious cultural and family problem in Israel. A marriage without a son was incomplete, seen by some as a curse. A son was vital to carry forward the father’s name, his land, and his work. But in God’s plan, Zechariah and Elizabeth were a vital part of the miracle story of Immanuel, God come down.
    We’ll see how God demonstrated the transformational power of his gospel through this couple. From Elizabeth’s barren womb will come the last Old Testament prophet in their son John (the Baptist).
    John will point to the first New Testament prophet, Jesus. God had revealed his plan throughout centuries of his prophets’ proclamations. Now he’s ready to break forth into the world in a new and wonderful way. Go to Luke 1 in your Bible and listen to their surprise, wonder and awe for God.
    Has God done a miraculous work in you? If you are saved in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, he certainly has! If you are married and have children, he has. If you are alive and know of God, he has. In what other ways has God’s miracle work become known in your life? Be in joyous surprise, grateful awe and true wonder of God’s life work in your life. 
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, Son and Spirit for life and all the wondrous miracles you offer to me. In Jesus’ name I rejoice. Amen.