Luke Chapter 1:26-45
Memory verses for
this week: John 3:18 He that
believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God.
Introduction:
We continue our study of
the book of Luke as we cover the middle section of Chapter One. Last
week, we studied about Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth. The angel of
the Lord came to Zacharias and told him that he would have a son in
his old age. This son would come in the Spirit and power of Elijah,
and his name would be John. From the day of these tidings until John
the Baptist was born, Zacharias lost his ability to speak. We pickup
this week in Verse 26 as Mary receives a similar message about her
upcoming birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I. The
Announcement to Mary of the Birth of Christ
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from
God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of
the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou
that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou
among women.
The birth of a Saviour had been promised many years before
the angel visited Mary. In the beginning creation, God promised that
there would be one that would come that would be our Savior.
Gen 3:15 And I will
put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her
seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
The term “Her seed” referred to the seed of a woman. And her
seed was none other than Jesus Christ.
Isa 7:14 Therefore
the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
In this verse in Isaiah, it is clearly told that a virgin
would conceive a son. Immanuel means “God with us.” Mary was a
virgin and had never knew a man.
Isa 9:6 For unto us
a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the
increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the
throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish
it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The
zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
What great names are associated with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the
Prince of Peace.
In verse 26, it says the angel appeared to Mary six months
after Elisabeth had conceived. Gabriel seemed to be the angel that
the Lord always used to bring announcements. We have only three
angels mentioned by name in the bible, Gabriel, Michael, and Lucifer
which fell as recorded in Isaiah Chapter 14. Whether all three of
these were arch-angels is not clear, but Michael is clearly noted as
an archangel in Jude 9. I’ve always thought these three were the
three archangels of God and given special tasks to accomplish. We
know a large number of the angels were cast out with Lucifer when he
was cast out of Heaven.
2 Pet 2:4 For if God
spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and
delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Gabriel was sent to a certain city and to a certain person
which was Mary. Mary was a virgin espoused to Joseph. Note she is
not just a young girl as some versions of the bible make it out, but
she is identified twice in verse 27 as a “virgin.” In verse 28, it
says that Mary was:
“Thou art highly favored.”
“The Lord is With thee.”
“Blessed art thou among women.”
These things were not said about her because she was a
popular person or because she lived a worldly life. It was because
she was a women who lived a separated life and was willing to serve
God even if it cost her. Mary was a virgin of the house of David
which made her born of David’s greater son. She was not chosen
because she was a virgin, but she had to be to be chosen as Jesus’
earthly mother. But it was due to her being a spiritual person and
subject to the will of God. Mary was from the tribe of Judah and
qualified to bring the Savior into the world. We see the promise
made to David concerning His son and the reference to Christ.
2 Sam 7:12 And when
thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will
set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and
I will establish his kingdom.
2 Sam 7:13 He shall
build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his
kingdom for ever.
2 Sam 7:14 I will be
his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will
chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children
of men:
Luke 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying,
and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou
hast found favour with God.
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring
forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
The announcement by the angel troubled Mary. She did not
understand what he was telling her at this time. The angel told here
to not fear but to realize that she had found favour with God. She
would conceive and bring forth a son who would be called Jesus. Jesus
of course means “Saviour”.
Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the
Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father
David:
Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and
of his kingdom there shall be no end.
The angel tells Mary that her son would be great and would be
called the son of the Highest. Many who did not respect Jesus for
who He was simply called him Joseph’s son, but Joseph was not Christ’s
true Father. The Holy Ghost came upon Mary when she conceived.
Joseph was Christ’s ‘step father’ as he might be called. He raised
him on earth, but he was not Christ’s father. God promised that
Jesus would be given the throne of David. It was a literal throne
there in Jerusalem, and one day, after the seven years of Tribulation,
Jesus will come and take up that throne. In Acts, the apostles asked
Jesus if God would at that time restore the kingdom to Israel.
Acts 1:6 When they
therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt
thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Acts 1:7 And he said
unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which
the Father hath put in his own power.
Acts 15:13 And after
they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren,
hearken unto me:
Acts 15:14 Simeon
hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out
of them a people for his name.
Acts 15:15 And to
this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
Acts 15:16 After
this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David,
which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I
will set it up:
Acts 15:17 That the
residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon
whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
After the times of the Gentiles, God will return again and
setup that throne of David. Christ in that day will reign 1,000
years on the throne. (Rev 20:4-6)
J. Vernon McGee said this about Christ.
This is plain language. There is no way of misinterpreting
it. This passage is quite literal. Those folks who deny the virgin
birth also do not believe that the Lord is going to sit on the throne
of His father David. Apparently it was understood that what Luke is
writing about is literal. The virgin’s womb is literal, and the throne
of David is literal. He shall literally reign over the house of Jacob,
and of His Kingdom there shall be no end. That kingdom is also a
reality.
[i]
God stated that He would reign over the house of “Israel”
forever. Israel was the name God gave to Jacob, and this has
reference to the natural descendants of Jacob, the natural Jews.
After the Millennial Kingdom, this kingdom will be moved to the new
heaven and new earth and there will be no end of the kingdom.
Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing
I know not a man?
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost
shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow
thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall
be called the Son of God.
Mary had to be both shocked and perplexed by this news. She
asks a simple and pointed question… “How shall this be, seeing I know
not a man?” This also points to the fact that she was a virgin. It
was not a lack of faith, as it was when Zacharias could not understand
how he (and his wife) could have a son since they were well stricken
in years. Mary was asking for enlightenment as to how it was to
happen. The angel tells her that the Holy Ghost would come upon her.
Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also
conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her,
who was called barren.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
To confirm Mary’s faith, Gabriel tells here that her cousin
Elisabeth, known as barren, had also conceived and was now six months
along with child. This points out how we know John the Baptist was
six months older than Jesus. While all of this might be hard to
believe, verse 37 makes it clear. “For with God nothing shall be
impossible.”
I thought J. Vernon McGee’s comments on verse 37 were
especially good.
The birth of John the Baptist is also miraculous, but it is
not a virgin birth. The statement of the angel, “For with God nothing
shall be impossible,” is a good one and something we need to hold onto
during these days. I want to emphasize, however, that there are folk
who have taken this statement and twisted and distorted its meaning.
There is nothing impossible with God when He has determined to do it,
but He will not necessarily do the impossible we ask of Him. Many
people use this verse as a cliche to cover up the fact that they want
their own selfish desires. Nothing is impossible with God, but there
is a great deal that is impossible with you and me. When a man says,
“Nothing is impossible with God” and fails at some task he claims the
Lord gave him to do, it causes unbelievers to ridicule God. Anything
God determines to do He can accomplish, because there is nothing
impossible with God. But that does not mean He will do everything
believers want Him to do, because some things are not included in His
plan. Let us put everything in proper perspective before we do a lot
of talking that will hurt and harm the cause of Jesus Christ rather
than help it.
[ii]
Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it
unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Mary was a woman of faith, and says for it be unto her
according to thy word. I wonder if we were faced with such a
difficult thing, would be so quick to agree. No doubt she realized
that she would be facing shame from a world who would never believe
the truth about her situation. These peculiar circumstances were not
normal, and the world would never believe that she was chosen of God
for this great miracle. But Mary was a humble servant, and accepted
all of this as God’s Will and bowed in submission to His Will. She
was engaged to be married, and I’m sure she wondered what Joseph would
think. We have a record of some of the things Joseph went through
when he was told of what was to transpire with Mary.
Mat 1:18 Now the
birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was
espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with
child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19 Then Joseph
her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public
example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But while
he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared
unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to
take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of
the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:21 And she
shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from their sins.
Joseph’s great love for Mary is shown by his willingness to
hide her away privately rather than making her be shamed before the
public. She truly might have been stoned to death had he exposed her
since the since of adultery was punishable by death. She was not
guilty of any sin, but men and women would have thought she was.
Because God sent the angel to tell Joseph the truth, he accepted
things and did things the right way.
II. Mary Visits
Elisabeth
Luke 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill
country with haste, into a city of Juda;
Luke 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted
Elisabeth.
The bible doesn’t tell us the thoughts Mary must have had
after the angel departed. No doubt she would have wondered what her
acquaintances and relatives would think of her. Would they believe
her account of the angel, or think she had created the story to hid
something she had done. Mary goes in haste to see her cousin,
Elisabeth. While their situations were different, God was involved in
both of their lives. Elisabeth was too old to have a child, but yet
she was expecting one in a few months. Most likely she would have
words of comfort to Mary who was young at this time.
Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the
salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was
filled with the Holy Ghost:
As Mary saluted Elisabeth, John leaped in her womb and
Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. This was another
indication of how God was pleased and blessed both of these women.
Luke 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed
art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Luke 1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord
should come to me?
Luke 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded
in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Luke 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a
performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Elisabeth greets Mary with great words that had to encourage
and uplift her. “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb.” These are not only words of faith, but point to
the purity of Mary. And further proof of the words of Gabriel about
how this mysterious child would be none other but God manifested in
the flesh. This had to be a great blessing to Mary. Elisabeth
tells her that there will be a performance of those things told her
from the Lord. Mary was truly a chosen vessel of God. She perhaps
was the greatest woman that lived during this time. But irregardless
of her greatness and purity, we do need to remember that is all she
was. A great woman chosen of God to be the mother of Jesus Christ.
She has no more power with God than any other saved person. Some
teach that she can intercede for you with God. That is not true
teaching. We are to come in the name of Jesus, the name above every
other name.
Matthew Henry said this about the meeting of Mary and
Elisabeth.
Blessed is she that
believed.
Believing souls are blessed souls, and will be found so at last; this
blessedness cometh through faith, even the blessedness of being
related to Christ, and having him formed in the soul. They are
blessed who believe the word of God, for that Word will
not fail them; there shall, without doubt, be a performance
of those things which are told her from the Lord. Note, The
inviolable certainty of the promise is the undoubted felicity of those
that build upon it and expect their all from it. The faithfulness of
God is the blessedness of the faith of the saints. Those that have
experienced the performance of God’s promises themselves should
encourage others to hope that he will be as good as his word to them
also: I will tell you what God has done for my soul.
Mary’s song of praise, upon this occasion. Elisabeth’s
prophecy was an echo to the virgin Mary’s salutation, and this song is
yet a stronger echo to that prophecy. We may suppose the blessed
virgin to come in, very much fatigued with her journey; yet she
forgets that, and is inspired with new life, and vigour, and joy, upon
the confirmation she here meets with of her faith; and since, by the
sudden inspiration and transport, she finds that this was designed to
be her errand hither, weary as she is, like Abraham’s servant, she
would neither eat nor drink till she had told her errand.
[iii]
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Prov
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Practice Random Acts of Kindness. Each act spreads, and many will be
blessed.
[i]J.
Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible
commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System,
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1981 by J. Vernon McGee.
[ii]J.
Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible
commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System,
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1981 by J. Vernon McGee.
[iii]Henry,
Matthew, Matthew Henry’s
Commentary on the Bible,
(Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.