Unit: Luke
Theme: The Messiah Comes
Lesson Text: Luke 1:26-38
Supplemental Texts: Psalm 72; 89:2-4; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 11:15
Aim: Stand in awe of the Son of the Most High, whose reign will never end.
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By Mark Scott
The coming of the Messiah was no afterthought. It took extensive planning in eternity past. When Christ’s coming was actually executed, it was done with the greatest of distinction. It was so distinct that the whole earth would be filled with his glory (Psalm 72:19). It was so distinct that God’s steadfast love would be evident in it (Psalm 89:2). It was so distinct that the government would be on the Messiah’s shoulders (Isaiah 9:6-7). It was so distinct that all peoples, nations, and languages would serve this Son of Man (Daniel 7:14). It was so distinct that the kingdom of this world will become his (Revelation 11:15).
Luke began his Gospel with a formal prologue—introduction (1:1-4). Then he gave the first annunciation story (1:5-25). This one concerned the angel Gabriel’s announcement about John the Baptist to his father Zechariah. The second annunciation story is our present text and concerns Gabriel’s announcement to Mary (1:26-38).
Distinct in Annunciation (26-29)
Two spots in Nazareth have been identified as the place of Gabriel’s annunciation about Jesus’ birth to Mary—one by the Western Church and another by the Eastern Church. The place does not matter as much as the proclamation. When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, Gabriel (meaning “Man of God”) appeared to Mary in Nazareth. Today the city of Nazareth spreads out over a series of hills, but in Mary’s day it was a “one-horse town” (John 1:46).
Mary was a virgin (this word in the New Testament always referred to a woman/young girl who had not married). She was pledged (literally “wooed”) or engaged (though biblical betrothal was even more serious than modern-day engagement) to be married to a man named Joseph. Joseph, who has no speaking lines in the Bible, was from the family of King David. Gabriel greeted Mary (Miriam was her formal Hebrew name) with this line, “Greetings (joy to you), you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
This greeting had to be stunning to Mary, though her strong knowledge of Scripture (evident in her Magnificat of Luke 1:46-55) might have made her think of angelic announcements to Gideon and to Manoah’s wife (Judges 6:1-27; 13:1-24). Mary was greatly troubled (stirred up, agitated, or disturbed) about such a greeting. How many other women have annunciations like this? Answer: Hardly any; it is distinct.
Distinct in Conception (29-35)
In this paragraph we move from monologue to dialogue. It is not just Gabriel announcing; it is Gabriel and Mary conversing—even though Gabriel carried most of the conversation. As angelic beings are wont to do, Gabriel told Mary not to fear. He reminded her of God’s favor (grace) on her life. Then Gabriel mentioned some particulars. Mary would conceive, give birth, and call the baby Jesus. Gabriel also announced Jesus’ power (called great), title (Son of the Most High), heritage (Davidic line), and kingly reign (Jacob’s descendants and his never-ending kingdom).
Mary must have had a thousand questions washing over her mind, but she asked just one, “How?” She acknowledged her virginity. There seems to be a “faithful how” and a “doubting how” (Luke 1:18). Mary asked the former, and Zechariah asked the latter. Zechariah was silenced, but Mary was given even more revelation. Gabriel’s answer was, “The Holy Spirit.” This kind of power (to impregnate a young girl of marital age) could only come from heaven. The Holy Spirit would come on her (as in some dramatic and powerful way) and God’s power would overshadow (to cast a shadow or rest upon). Therefore, the distinction for this child would be the Son of God.
Distinct in Subjection (36-38)
The Messiah’s coming was marked by two women yielding to the way of God. Gabriel brought Mary into the loop by informing her that her relative Elizabeth (My God is an oath) was going to have a child even though she was old and barren. In fact, she was already toward the end of her second trimester.
One of the more engaging statements in this annunciation is verse 37, “For no word from God will ever fail” (i.e., “For no spoken word will be impossible with God”). God would not fail his promise. God would not fail these two women who submitted to him. God would not fail his Son, and God would not fail the world.
This would no doubt have been much to receive. But Mary showed great humility by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant…may your word to me be fulfilled.” What subjection! Some might take the veneration of Mary too far, but we know where the distinct Son of God learned subjection.
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