JESUS, GOD'S Greatest Gift - Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-7 - December 24, 2006

Merry Christmas to all. Sorry my computer is in the shop therefore we have a limited lesson this week.

This is lesson four (4) in our series of study.

Scripture: Luke 1:26-45; 2:1-7:

Luke 1:26-45:

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin • engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And [the angel]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”[12] Other mss add blessed are you among women 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.[13] 2 Sm 7:12–13 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.[14] Isaiah 9:6 LXX; Dn 7:14 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?”[15] Lit since I do not know a man 35 The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”[16] Gn 18:14 38 “I am the Lord’s • slave,”[17] Lit Look, the Lord’s slave said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth
39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her,[18] Lit leaped in her abdomen or womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed![19] Lit and the fruit of your abdomen (or womb) is blessed 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me![20] Lit in my abdomen or womb 45 She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!”

Just imagine a young 13-14 year old virgin young lady, who learns that she will become pregnant. She questions how can this be since is a virgin. The angel tells her that the HOLY SPIRIT will overshadow her. This is interesting since the word "Overshadow" is used when GOD made the world. HIS SPIRIT was the power that created earth and all that is in it. This is another momentous event in the plan of GOD. HIS power will cause Mary, a virgin, to become pregnant with GOD'S ONLY SON and HIS name will be JESUS. JESUS is the Greek name for
Joshua, which means YAHWEH or GOD is salvation. Overshadow in also used at the transfiguration of JESUS to describe the enveloping presence of GOD. GOD'S SPIRIT would empower Mary's womb to be inhabited by GOD'S SON.

JESUS is 100% human and 100% divine.

Mary is willing to be obedient to GOD. I am sure she had questions. I think this is one reason GOD prompts Mary to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is also pregnant as a part of GOD'S plan. Certainly when Elizabeth confirms Mary's pregnancy. I think Mary breathes a sigh of relief.

Being obedient to GOD is not easy from an earthly point-of-view. Mary was subject to ridicule and public stoning. Joseph decided not accuse her of being unfaithful. Mary and Joseph were engaged but had not been sexually active. It was tradition for a couple to be in essence man and wife for a year before they consumated the marriage. We know from other scripture that GOD sends an angel to Joseph to make it clear that Mary is faithful and trustworthy and has been chosen by GOD for a special purpose.

Let's read Luke 2:1-7:

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus[1] Emperor who ruled the Roman Empire 27 b.c.–a.d. 14; also known as Octavian, he established the peaceful era known as the Pax Romana; Caesar was a title of Roman emperors. that the whole empire[2] Or the whole inhabited world should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while[3] Or This registration was the first while, or This registration was before Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was • engaged to him[4] Other mss read was his engaged wife and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the inn.

The Old Testament is clear where the Messiah will be born. GOD created the circumstances necessary for Mary and Joseph to journey to Bethlehem for JESUS to be born. Bethlehem means "House of bread." JESUS is the bread of life is born in the house of bread. Bread sustains life and JESUS sustains those who accept HIM as SAVIOR through life on earth and gives them the gift of eternal life.

If you do not know JESUS as your personal SAVIOR ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life now. May you experience the real meaning of Christmas, CHRIST in you. CHRIST in you makes you a Christian not the church you attend. It is good to attend a church of your choice so you can be feed spiritually and for you to grow in the LORD. Merry Christmas!!!