relationships (Luke 2:25-28) Willing Hearts

(Luke 2:25-28)

25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God...

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Salvation is through Jesus Christ, and Simeon recognized Him immediately.  The closer we get to the Lord God in our relationship with Him, the more closely we will walk with Him, and the more blessings we will see.  God’s Holy Spirit had let Simeon know that he would see Israel’s Messiah (the Christ) before he died.  And the Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go to that part of the temple, right at that moment, for this to happen.  Imagine if Simeon had decided to ignore the Holy Spirit’s prompting in that moment?!  Simeon would have missed out on this tremendous blessing!

Anytime that I’ve been obedient to the Holy Spirit’s calling, nudging and prompting- I have never regretted doing so.  It has always been a blessing.  So, I wonder, what have I all missed out on when I’ve questioned the prompting, or just outright chosen not to follow through?  Now, God doesn’t want us to be beating ourselves up over these things. 

God’s patience and grace is overwhelming!  He does not hold grudges.  He is faithful to forgive.  So, the simple solution is that we humbly confess (agree with God that what we did was not in His will), and ask God to help us have a willing heart that is ready to rely on His guidance, and ready to follow through- in His love, strength and wisdom- all to His glory- and in His blessings!

relationships (Luke 2:21-24) Inspiring and Making an Impact

(Luke 2:21-24)

21 And when eight days were completed so that it was time for His circumcision, He was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord  23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what has been stated in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young doves.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Basically, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to dedicate Him to the Lord God.  Obviously, because Jesus is the Lord (part of the Trinity), we can know that this formality (this ordinance) has nothing to do with receiving salvation.  (Keep in mind, that as our example, Jesus chose to be physically baptised publically, just before starting His ministry here on earth.

We need to understand that just like childhood baptism, child dedication does NOT save someone.  This ordinance is for parents, who are believers, to put into practice what God asks of them.  We are to train up our children in the way they should go, and share with them the good news of salvation, so that hopefully, prayerfully, they too will one day become believers.  And we are to be praying and asking and alllowing the Lord to work in their lives, letting God worry about them!

Only the Lord is able to save!  This is because salvation is all about having a personal relationship with the Lord.  Therefore each person must understand, believe and decide for themselves.  While we love our children and others, we cannot make that decision for them, and we cannot force them to believe.  

Physical baptism is an ordiance for someone to carry out- after they have become believers- demonstrating publically one's spiritual baptism that has already occurred. 

(Romans 6:3-7)
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for the one who has died is freed from sin.

Now, certainly, our decision and actions will impact and inspire others, but still understand that this is the power of the Holy Spirit at work!  Like in this amazing event...

(Acts 13:29-34)
29 And the jailer asked for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; 30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of God to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and was overjoyed, since he had become a believer in God together with his whole household.

relationships (Luke 2:1-52) Being Relatable

(Luke 2:1-20)

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
     And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.”

15 When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

The Lord is nothing else but "relatable". Desiring to connect with us, He came down from glory, to be born in flesh, to be fully man while still being fully God, to literally "walk in our shoes".  As, not just the King of the Jews, but the King of kings, He could have chosen to be born in a palace, but He didn't even choose to be "middle-class"- He chose to be born into a very humble state, which led to His ministry, as He perfectly put into practice everything that He taught.  

Now, here are some of the mind-blowing symbolisms that connect!  The Jews were more than fine with the fact that their important ancestors, Abraham, Moses and king David had all been shepherds, who become great leaders among them, all being blessed by the Lord, and all receiving covenants from the Lord.  

The Abrahamic covenant promises land, seed and blessings.  The Mosaic covenant promises that in perfect obedience, all covenants will be fulfilled.  And the Davidic covenant promises a throne that is eternal.  All of these covenants can only be fulfilled through Jesus.  The first time Jesus came in flesh, the Jews rejected Him as their Messiah and King, but during the Tribulation, they will see the signs of Jesus' return, and as a nation, they will believe!  In their salvation, there is "obedience".  This is when Jesus will come again- in might, strength and glory- to bring physical peace and justice to the earth.  Jesus will sit on the throne of David, and fulfill the promises of land, seed and blessings.

Meanwhile, the first time Jesus came, He established the new covenant with all people, paying the price for all sins (past, present and future), for all people (past, present and future).  When we put our faith in the Lord Jesus, He forgives our sins, covering us with His righteousness, which leads us into obedience.  Jesus becomes our King for all eternity.  And our promised land is heaven.  Our "seed" is the good deeds that are done in the Lord's love, strength and guidance, all to His glory.  And our blessings are what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives.  This includes the spiritual peace that we experience in Him....

(Hebrews 13:20-21) 20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

In our salvation, immediately, we receive the Lord's indwelling Holy Spirit, who guides us.  Jesus is our Great Shepherd, and we are His sheep!  As well, Jesus tells us that He is the Bread of life.  He nourishes us, not only physically, mentally and emotionally, but spiritually.  So it was fitting that He was laid in a manger!

It was also fitting that God sent His angels with this great news to these shepherds!  LOWLY shepherds, though, which demonstrates to us that God is not prejudiced!  He loves all people.  Even those who are outcasts, and hated by society, like these shepherds, who because of their work, kept them from participating in the religious activities of their communities.  Interestingly though, because this was close to Jerusalem, some scholars speculate that these particular shepherds could have been looking after the sheep belonging to the temple, meant for sacrificing.  In any case, sheep were used in the sacrificial system to (temporarily) pay for sin.

(John 1:35-36)  35 Again the next day John (the Baptist) was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

Jesus had come in flesh, not just to walk in our shoes, but take onto Himself all the suffering and punishment that we all deserve, and die in our place, so that anyone who believes, can have a personal relationship with Him, and with that, eternal life.  The following passage is a prophecy that is still to happen.  After the rapture, when the Lord catches up all believers of all time, to be in heaven with Him, the Lamb of God will continue with the last set of seven years left in the Jewish Age, which will be followed by the Millennial kingdom, when all covenants will be fulfilled.

It's not about the do's and don'ts - it's about relationship - and it's very personal...

(Revelation 5:4-10) 

Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to be able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. 10 You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”

relationships (Luke 1:57-50) Dedication

(Luke 1:57-50)

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.

59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zechariah, after his father. 60 And yet his mother responded and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began speaking in praise of God. 65 And fear came on all those who lived around them; and all these matters were being talked about in the entire hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying:
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
     For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us 
     In the house of His servant David—
70 Just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient times—
71 Salvation from our enemies,
     And from the hand of all who hate us;
72 To show mercy to our fathers,
     And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham,
74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
     Would serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
76 And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High;
     For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways;
77 To give His people the knowledge of salvation
     By the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God,
     With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
79 To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
     To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 Now the child grew and was becoming strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

John the Baptist’s parents had very similar experiences as the parents of the prophet Samuel.  They had both been childless, they prayed, and when God answered their prayers, their children were dedicated to the Lord in service at a very early age.  Samuel had gone to live in the temple as soon as he had been weaned, and here we are told that John went to live in the wilderness (either immediately, or very soon after his birth).  It’s possible that because Elizabeth and Zachariah were both very old, they could have died soon after his birth.  And as it often happened, the reclusive Essenes would have adopted John, to raise and train him.  It’s also possible that the family simply moved away from any possible threats from society.

This miraculous birth, and the sudden prophetic utterances of Zachariah, who had been mute for nine months, obviously got people talking.  And while neighbors and family rejoiced with them, others were afraid.  I’m sure some people might have wondered if John was their anticipated Messiah, even though the prophecy delivered spoke about John preparing the way for the Messiah.  Well, what did that actually mean?  People like to speculate.  And for those in any position of power and authority, if they loved their power and authority, they would have felt threatened, whether John was the Messiah or a prophet preparing the way for the Messiah.

If people actually understood the good news in all of this, they would not have felt fearful or threatened.  They would have rejoiced that this was all about to happen.  If the Jews had accepted Jesus as their Messiah when He came the first time, He would have taken them into the Millennial kingdom, and fulfilled all of their covenants.  Of course, the Lord knew that the people would reject Him, and crucify Him… but it was in this way, He died for all sin, and had victory over death, so that all those who accept Him- believe in Him- can be forgiven of all sins and receive eternal life!

The Lord Jesus redeems us from our slavery from sin, so that in a personal relationship, we can serve Him without fear, serving WITH Him, with His love, help and guidance, in His holiness and righteous, forever!  And we have the honor of sharing the gospel message with those who sit in darkness.  God wants to save everyone, not because we deserve it, but because of His tender mercy and His great love for all people!  The Lord wants to guide us all into the way of peace.  But, it is our choice.

Regarding our children, and/or those we mentor, we should be encouraging.  And what I have found that helps, is to “dedicate” them- “give” them to the Lord… in that, I do not want to have the control of them.  I choose to emotionally give them to the Lord, and let God worry about them.  As a parent, mentor, neighbor, or a friend, I desire that God use me to serve in the way that He desires of me… which includes me allowing the Lord to work in the hearts of everyone else. 

Just like the good news of salvation is not a threat or a fearful thing, we should never use guilt, shame or fear-mongering as a tactic to bring people to obedience.  In His great love, God doesn’t even make people love Him back or obey, although He will discipline those He loves, to protect us from ourselves, as well as other dangers… in a way that will draw us back to Him and His way of peace.   And because Christianity is all about having a personal relationship with the Lord, it is each individual’s choice, and therefore, their salvation and purpose and walk with the Lord- is- between them and the Lord!  So, let us dedicate others to the Lord, and let the Lord deal with them.  At the same time, let us dedicate ourselves (our time, energy and resources) to the Lord, and be willing, thankful and excited to serve without fear- to serve with Him, with His love, help and guidance, in His holiness and righteous, forever!

relationship (Luke 1:46-56) Being Blessed

(Luke 1:46-56)

46 And Mary said:
     “My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant;
     For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
     And holy is His name.
50 And His mercy is to generation after generation 
     Toward those who fear Him.
51 He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
     He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
     And has exalted those who were humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
     And sent the rich away empty-handed.
54 He has given help to His servant Israel,
     In remembrance of His mercy,
55 Just as He spoke to our fathers,
     To Abraham and his descendants forever.”

56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Later I’ll dissect the traits of a faithful follower that Mary describes here.  But first, we should establish some facts.  While we do know that Mary was a righteous woman- meaning- she was a believer- that is all.  A lot of people then and now consider Mary “blessed”, as if she was/is somehow extra super human.  Many people even pray to her, thinking that she can somehow tell the Lord Jesus what to do, as if she, as well as the apostles, are able to act as mediators.  But we are told to only pray to the Lord God!…

(1 Timothy 2:5)  For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus.

For Jesus to be born in flesh, to be fully man, while still being fully God, Mary provided “the human aspect”.  Even as a believer, she still was not perfect.  We see her fretting and angry at Jesus when He was twelve years old, and they realized that He was “missing”.  Just like it is easy for us to start taking the Lord for granted, and start drifting away from Him, and then wonder where He is and why He isn’t helping us do what we want. 

As well, we see the brothers of Jesus convince Mary to help speak to Him about “toning down” His ministry.  The brothers, who were not believers at the time, probably thought- if anyone can convince Jesus to stop what He’s doing, it’s Mom!  But Jesus was not impressed with that…

(Matthew 12:46–50, [Mark 3:31–35])  While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. ⁴⁷ [Someone said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You.”] ⁴⁸ But Jesus replied to the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” ⁴⁹ And extending His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold: My mother and My brothers! ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother.”

(Luke 8:21)  :…My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

Okay, so now let’s go over these words of Mary.  In these words, which are spoken and written down with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can learn and understand what the traits of believers are, which is- to have a personal relationship with the Lord God. 

And here I want to add something interesting.  Over the years, I’ve heard a few women say, “If the Bible had been written by women, it would be completely different.”  Well, let me say- it would be exactly the same!  Because the Bible is God-breathed!  These are the inerrant words of God.  God chose to use men, for the most part, to write the words down.  And here, we actually have a woman “writing” part of the Bible.  And this “song” echoes the song of Hannah (in 1 Samuel 2:1-20).  So, when we see women imparting words of wisdom in the Bible- it still all fits!  There are no contradictions!  These are NOT Mary’s words, these are God-inspired words.

Now to dissect these words, which describe how to become a believer, and what a believer’s relationship with the Lord looks like. 

Because God is holy, He cannot have a relationship with sin.  But, we all start off as sinners, who are “rich” (seeing ourselves as self-sufficient), and proud (determined to be self-reliant)… not wanting or seeing our need for the Lord in our lives.  And if one continues in this sinful state- there will be a day when God will judge a person according to their sins.  And they will spend eternity in a place void of God.

Understand that the Lord desires to have a close relationship with all people.  This is why He came to earth in flesh to accomplish His work on the cross!  In order to offer us His free gift of salvation to all people, which is the forgiveness of sins, to cover us with His righteousness, and give us eternal life.  So, as in verse 48, He has regard for those who sincerely humble their heart- realizing their need for Him, as their Savior.  His mercy is for those who fear Him, which is to be in awe of, and to revere Him.  And He fills the hungry- those who ardently crave and seek after Him with eager desire. 

Now for the traits of a believer, which we receive from the Lord in our relationship with Him.  He fills the hungry with good things, which includes immediately sealing us with His indwelling Holy Spirit of promise.  Therefore, our relationship with Him is forever- eternal- everlasting!  So, we can never lose the Holy Spirit or our salvation, but we can quench the Spirit.  And so, the closer we draw to Him, the more we are filled with His Spirt.  And desiring to live in His will, we will desire to be His servant- His humble bond-servant.  Mary experienced being “blessed”- as being fortunate and happy because of the great things God had done in her life and was going to do.  Just so, God will bless us, protect us, help us and exalt us.  In this, we will rejoice and exalt the Lord God our Savior!

relationships (Luke 1:39-45) True Closeness

(Luke 1:39-45)

39 Now at this time Mary set out and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And how has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Just as a reminder, when the angel spoke to Zechariah, he was told that …

(Luke 1:14-15) 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice over his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 

Being sovereign, God already knows who will become a believer or not.  Because God is love, He will never force anyone to love Him back.  And for those who choose to love Him, He will never force anyone to be obedient to what He asks of us.  Back then, before the Day of Pentecost, God would place the Holy Spirit on people to empower them.  And while it wasn’t a permanent condition, one’s faith was!  Evidence that Jesus’ work on the cross was retroactive, we can look at verses such as Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3-9, 23-24, Galatians 3:6, James 2:3, and Hebrews 11, where God credits those who believed in Him as righteousness.

Now, I’ve run into a few people who claim to have become Christians while in the womb.  But just because, in His sovereignty, God has predestined us- His children- does not mean that we are Christians from the womb.  Even John the Baptist preached God’s message, that one needs to repent and be baptized. 

There are two baptisms.  When one truly becomes a Christian, repenting of one’s sins and putting their faith in the Lord and asking Him into one’s life, God gives us His indwelling Holy Spirit of promise.  This is our spiritual baptism.  Because we are sealed by His Spirit, we cannot lose our salvation.  Then, God asks that we demonstrate our decision of faith to the world by being physically baptized.

Because Christianity is all about having a relationship with the Lord, the true evidence of our faith, will be the Holy Spirit working within us.  Because we have the Lord’s Spirit within us, we will know and recognize the Lord!  And we will- or we should- recognize fellow believers because of God’s Spirit within them.  The closer we grow to the Lord, the closer we will grow together.  And, the closer we grow to the Lord, the more we will strive to be obedient, and the more we act in faith and obedience, the more we will be blessed.  Just as Elizabeth said about Mary- that she was blessed- BECAUSE she was obedient to God’s calling, believing that what He said, would happen.  If we truly believe, this will be followed by us acting upon it.

When we are disobedient, allowing sin into our lives, we are the ones throwing wrenches into our relationship with the Lord.  Like with any other relationship, we will only get back on track when we apologize- confess these sins.  Therefore, it only makes sense that when we embrace what God asks of us, we will find great blessings in this greater purpose, as well as just- being close to the Lord God and His glory!

relationships (Luke 1:24-50) Comforting and Encouraging

(Luke 1:24-50)

24 Now after these days his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, 25 “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among people.”

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him 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; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason also the holy Child will be called the Son of God. 36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth herself has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called infertile is now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the Lord’s bond-servant; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

John the Baptist could have come from any woman- from the daughters of Aaron (from the priestly bloodline of the Levites)- but God specifically chose Elizabeth.  Not only were Zachariah and Elizabeth righteous (true believers in the Lord), and from the priestly tribe, but- both were beyond the age of having children.  This means that their conception was miraculous!  And their son fulfilled prophecy by preparing the way for the Lord Jesus (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, and Malachi 4:5–6).

I fully believe that God did it this way, not just for our benefit, or for the Jews at that time, but very specifically for Mary, as this would have brought her comfort in what God called her to do- to carry, give birth to, and raise God’s Son.  Just like God had Aaron help Moses in what he was called to do, Elizabeth and her miraculous condition, would have greatly encouraged Mary.  God understands that we need strong, supportive human relationships, BESIDES having God as our most important relationship and our first-go-to- for help, support and guidance!!!

Meanwhile, Jesus could have been born through any woman- from the daughters of king David (from the tribe of Judah)- but God specifically chose Mary.  Not only were Mary and Joseph righteous (true believers in the Lord), and from the bloodline of David, but they were engaged to be married, which meant that Mary was still a virgin!  In this way, her miraculous conception, was prophetic.  Notice that in verse 25, the Trinity of God is represented, so in this way, the Lord Jesus Christ would be born as both fully man and fully God,

(Isaiah 7:14) Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel.

But now, let’s dispel some culturally outrageous interpretations.  One claims that these verses are evidence that God supports abortion, because Mary could CHOOSE to have Jesus or not.  So, look very closely at the words in verse 25… “The Holy Spirit WILL…”  It doesn’t say that the Holy Spirit already has…  God gave Mary a choice to accept or reject what He was calling her to do.  And we see in verse 37, Mary humbly agrees to accept what God had asked of her. 

Let me put this in a practical way which can be applied to us today.  My husband did not force me to have children with him.  He let me know, that because it is my body, it was my choice whether or not we would have children, as well as decide when we would start trying to have children.  Once I was pregnant, there was no way I’d ever consider killing the human that was growing inside of me.  It wasn’t my body- it was the body of our child!  The child that God allowed to grow inside my womb!  The child that God allowed us to have!

Another twisted biblical interpretation that we hear today claims that God is “nonbinary”.  That term still assumes that God is a sexual being, but He is not.  Nor does God “identify” as something, because God "is", and therefore God is neither male nor female.  In His wisdom, God presents Himself to us in the male form, and in masculine terms, although there are a few feminine terms- NOT to identify Himself with any sex, but for us to understand Him and His character traits better.  Here is one name in Hebrew that God gave us to know and use… El Shaddai.

• El: The standard Hebrew and Ancient Near Eastern word for "God"

• Shaddai: traditionally translated as "Almighty", its literal root has alternative meanings, including "mountain" (referencing unmovable strength) or "breast" (referencing a mother's nurture, meaning God is the source of all life, provision, and sustenance)

This is not so that we can ascribe a sex to God.  It is to help us understand- that God understands all that we struggle through, as well as help us understand how God is able to help us.  We even see throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, that God is an advocate for women, children, and the vulnerable.  This is to bring us comfort, to know that we were all loved, valued, and created in God’s image.  And just as we are created in His image, for believers, when we reach heaven and given glorified bodies, as...

(Matthew 22:29-30)  ...Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, since you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

God loves ALL people!  And so, He came to earth in flesh, to live a perfect, sinless life, and to accomplish His work on the cross, to provide a way to Him.  God desires to have a relationship with Him, which includes comfort, encouragement, help and guidance.  A lot to think about, and my mind immediately goes to mediate on these verses…

(Hebrews 4:14-16) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.