Luke 1, Part Two

Gabriel appears to Mary (vs. 26-38)—Six months after his appearance to Zacharias, the angel Gabriel was “sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth” (v. 26) where he talks to a virgin named Mary. John the Baptist was thus six months older than Jesus. Nazareth was a very unimportant city in Galilee—at least up to this point. It is never mentioned in the Old Testament, Jewish Talmud, or Josephus, the latter who refers to some 240 different cities in his writings. God doesn’t need great places or great people to accomplish his work. Mary and David both were from the tribe of Judah, and of the line of David. She was “betrothed” to him, an event that usually took place one year before marriage and was so binding and sacred that an official “putting away” was necessary to end it. Betrothal was much stronger than our “engagement,” which can be broken on a whim. Matthew tells us more about Joseph’s reaction to the news of Mary’s pregnancy. Gabriel calls Mary “highly favored one…blessed are you among women” (v. 28). Understandably she was troubled by this meeting (v. 29). Gabriel comforts her by telling her that she had “found favor with God” (v. 30), and that she would have a son “and shall call His name Jesus” (v. 31). Jesus was a common name for Jews; the Hebrew could also be spelled Joshua, Hoshea, Jeshua—all three of these names are found in the Old Testament and spelled the same way in Hebrew as “Jesus.” Thus, the great military leader Joshua had the same name as Jesus, but again, it was a common name. This “Jesus” would be “great,” would be called “Son of the Highest,” and “the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David”—He would not obtain the throne by force of arms or conquest. Jesus would “reign over the house of Jacob forever” (v. 33). This is the spiritual house of Jacob, not the Jews. Paul wrote in Galatians 3:7, “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” It is no longer Jews, but Christians, who are the children of God, the “house of Jacob” now. In Galatians 6:16, Paul calls the church “the Israel of God.” Mary, in verse 34 of Luke 1, expresses surprise, but not disbelief, in Gabriel’s announcement. Understandably, she wanted to know how her impregnation would take place. Gabriel told her that it would be by the Holy Spirit, thus the “Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (v. 35). This clearly indicates to us that the Holy Spirit is God. Gabriel, to help Mary’s trust and encourage her, tells her that her relative Elizabeth was also with child in her old age (v. 36); “for with God nothing will be impossible” (v. 37). He will accomplish His purposes, regardless of what it takes. Mary’s great faith and submission to God is demonstrated in verse 38: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." Because she would betrothed to Joseph, her being found with child would be a very shameful thing; in fact, it could have been considered that she was guilty of adultery and thus worthy of death. She accepted God’s will on a matter that could have been quite disgraceful to her. But she humbly bows to His direction in life. And this girl probably was still a teenager. Oh, if we only had more young people today with the devotion and humility of Mary.

And, Lord, if you will give us more mothers like Elizabeth and Mary, we will give you more sons like John and Jesus.

Mary visits Elizabeth (vs. 39-56)—No doubt the young lady was excited to hear about her relative, Elizabeth, being with child and also wanted to communicate the news of her own visit from Gabriel. The KJV calls Elizabeth (“Elisabeth” is the way most of the older translation spell her name) Mary’s “cousin,” but the Greek word is a little indefinite. When Mary arrived at the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth, “the babe leaped in her [Elizabeth’s] womb.” (v. 41), and being “filled with the Holy Spirit,” she pronounced a blessing upon Mary. She recognized Mary as “the mother of my Lord” (v. 43). Mary then issues a beautiful song (vs. 46-55), magnifying the Lord. Her song closely resembles that of Hannah in I Samuel 2:1-10. She speaks of God’s blessings upon herself (v. 48), His might (v. 49), His mercy (v. 50), His strength (vs. 51-52), His goodness (v. 53), His aid (v. 54), and His fulfillment of promises (v. 55). She then remains with Elizabeth for three months, apparently until John’s birth (v. 56).