Read Luke 1
In Today's 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, you that are highly favored, the Lord is with you. . . . behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a Son, and shall call His Name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to Him the throne of His father David. . . . The Holy Ghost (Spirit) shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that Holy Thing (One) Which shall be born of you 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 ending his legal engagement to her through a private divorce. The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take to you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost (Spirit). And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name JESUS (Savior): 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, the prophet Isaiah had foretold: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel (God With Us). . . . to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given . . . the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God (Jesus Chrisy - El Gibbor), 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 (eternity) (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 and grew up.
Zechariah was filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit), and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He has visited and redeemed His people (Luke 1:67-75).
Word Studies:
1:40 saluted = greeted; embraced; 1:46 magnify = exalt, praise; 1:54 hath holpen = has helped.
Cross References:
For Luke 1:17: See Malachi 4:5-6. 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:
BP Staff: Letha Hash · Pray for Woody Van Dyke and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on KJAK-FM, Lubbock TX· the International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in honor of Linda Kennon · Government Officials: Rep. Jeb Bradley (NH), Rep. Robert Borski (PA), Rep. Chris Cannon (UT), Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (IL), and Rep. Hilda Solis (CA) · Country: Vanuatu (189,000) a group of 12 large islands southwest of the Solomons in the southwestern Pacific · Major languages: English and French · Religious freedom · 78% Protestant; 17% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Prayers to the Lord about everything (Revelation 8:3-4).
Memory Verse for the Week: II Corinthians 9:8