So, what is your response
to all this? What relevance is there to your life today, in light of the world
in which you live? We live in an insecure world of dysfunctionality, changing
political climates, the stuff of life, the threat of terrorism, and the
unstable job market. Sometimes the news reports and doomsayers can cloud the
relevance of the greatest story ever told.
But, the Kingdom of God is not like that, it is stable, unchangeable and eternal. It is one that, we can have confidence in with Jesus Christ ruling over it forever. God gave Mary a sign, as to His ability to do impossible in the midst of confusion and instability. He has also given us an eternal sign that affects every part of your life in this unstable world. That sign is, Jesus Christ the Savior, ruling King and Son of God.
But, the Kingdom of God is not like that, it is stable, unchangeable and eternal. It is one that, we can have confidence in with Jesus Christ ruling over it forever. God gave Mary a sign, as to His ability to do impossible in the midst of confusion and instability. He has also given us an eternal sign that affects every part of your life in this unstable world. That sign is, Jesus Christ the Savior, ruling King and Son of God.
Last week we looked at the question as to, where does the story of Jesus
(that is, the greatest story ever told) begin? This week we continue by
reviewing Luke 1:26-38. There were
three main persons involved in this story. These are,
Then there was Mary a young virgin who was engaged to Joseph (vv27,34
cf. 2:5; Matt 1:19). She was a relative of Elizabeth, and from the family line
of David (vv32,36 cf. Lk 3:31). Mary was told to rejoice as she was highly
favored by God (v28,30). But she was a little confused by the whole, and tried
to reason things through (v29). Nonetheless she submitted to God’s plan for her
(v38, cf. v48). She was told that she would miraculously conceive through the Holy
Spirit, (v35, see also Is 7:14; 9:6; Gal 4:4). Mary was given a sign that God could do what He said He would, i.e. the
conception of John to Elizabeth (v36-37).
Then there was her son, who she was to name Jesus (v31, cf. Matt
1:21). Gabriel predicted five things
about her son: 1. He would be great (v32); 2. He would be called the Son of the
Highest[1] (vv32,76); 3. He would receive the throne of His ancestor David (v 32, see
2 Sam 7:12-16; Ps 89:3-4, 28-29); 4. He would reign over the house of Jacob
forever (v33; Gen 49:10), i.e. He
would reign over the household of Israel; 5. His Kingdom would never end (v33,
cf. 2 Sam 7:13-16, 19; 1 Cor 15:24-28; Rev 20:11-15).
Last week we looked at the question as to, where does the story of Jesus
(that is, the greatest story ever told) begin? This week we continue by
reviewing Luke 1:26-38. There were
three main persons involved in this story. These are,
Gabriel who stands in the presence of God sent from God (vv19,26) with a
message of authority (vv28,30-33,35-37). Notice the angel did not rebuke Mary as he did Zachariah (v20). Therefore,
she could not have doubted the angel as did Zachariah. Instead she was puzzled
and wanted to know how such an event could be accomplished.
Then there was Mary a young virgin who was engaged to Joseph (vv27,34
cf. 2:5; Matt 1:19). She was a relative of Elizabeth, and from the family line
of David (vv32,36 cf. Lk 3:31). Mary was told to rejoice as she was highly
favored by God (v28,30). But she was a little confused by the whole, and tried
to reason things through (v29). Nonetheless she submitted to God’s plan for her
(v38, cf. v48). She was told that she would miraculously conceive through the Holy
Spirit, (v35, see also Is 7:14; 9:6; Gal 4:4). Mary was given a sign that God could do what He said He would, i.e. the
conception of John to Elizabeth (v36-37).
Then there was her son, who she was to name Jesus (v31, cf. Matt
1:21). Gabriel predicted five things
about her son: 1. He would be great (v32); 2. He would be called the Son of the
Highest[1] (vv32,76); 3. He would receive the throne of His ancestor David (v 32, see
2 Sam 7:12-16; Ps 89:3-4, 28-29); 4. He would reign over the house of Jacob
forever (v33; Gen 49:10), i.e. He
would reign over the household of Israel; 5. His Kingdom would never end (v33,
cf. 2 Sam 7:13-16, 19; 1 Cor 15:24-28; Rev 20:11-15).
[1] Hebrew Elyon
meaning highest, God is called El Elyon in the OT e.g. (Gen 14:18-22 40:17; Ps
57:2 etc).
[1] Hebrew Elyon
meaning highest, God is called El Elyon in the OT e.g. (Gen 14:18-22 40:17; Ps
57:2 etc).
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