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Bible Pathways - Oct. 20, 2006


10202006

Luke 1

In Today's Scripture Reading:

Virgin birth of Jesus foretold; Mary's visit to Elisabeth; Mary's praise to God; birth of John the Baptist

Jesus would have been born with the sinful nature of Adam if Joseph had been His biological father. This would have made Jesus a sinner like all mankind and, thus, unable to be the sinless substitute for our sins. But Gabriel, the angelic messenger of good news, came to Mary and said: Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee. . . . behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David. . . . the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee . . . that Holy Thing (One) which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:28,31-32,35).

Luke records that Mary was deeply troubled at his saying (1:29). Joseph also was troubled when he learned Mary was pregnant and contemplated a private divorce. The angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS ("Jesus" in Hebrew is the same as "Joshua" meaning "Jehovah (Yahweh) is salvation"): for He shall save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21). How comforting this must have been to Mary. Instead of living under suspicion, there was a miraculous confirmation to Joseph of her virginity.

About 700 years before, Isaiah foretold: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel (God With Us). . . . unto us a Child is born . . . the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). Jesus' birth revealed His unique nature as both God and Man.

The prophet Micah had foretold that the Messiah, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2), would be born in Bethlehem of Judah. This small town, about six miles south of Jerusalem, was called the city of David, for that is where David was born.

Zacharias . . . prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people (Luke 1:67-75).

Word Studies:

1:40 saluted =b> greeted; embraced; 1:46 magnify =b> exalt, praise; 1:54 holpen =b> come to the help of.

Cross References:

For Luke 1:17: See Malachi 4:6. Luke 1:50: See Psalm 103:17. Luke 1:53: See Psalm 107:9. Luke 1:71: See Psalm 106:10. Luke 1:76: See Malachi 3:1. Luke 1:79: See Isaiah 9:1-2; 59:8.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The English & Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Mrs. Elsie Rager (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) · Staff: Letha Hash Government Officials: Rep. Jeb Bradley (NH), Rep. Chris Cannon (UT), and Rep. Hilda Solis (CA) Country: Philippines (79 million) in Southeast Asia Major languages: Filipino and English Religious persecution in some areas 64% Roman Catholic; 11% Protestant; 8% indigenous Catholic; 8% Muslim; 7% cults Prayer Suggestion: Cry out to God in humility (Psalm 9:12).

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:7



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