October 20
Luke 1
If Joseph had been His biological father, Jesus would have been born with a sinful nature like Adam. This would have made Jesus a sinner like all mankind and, thus, unable to save anyone from their sins. But Gabriel, the angel messenger of Good News, came to Mary and said: You 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 Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that Holy 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 troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be (1:29). Joseph was equally troubled, so much so that he even contemplated a divorce to end his legal engagement to Mary. Joseph found this hard to believe, but the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take to yourself Mary your wife (Do not question her virtue): for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).
How delightful and comforting this must have been to Mary's heart! Instead of living under suspicion, there was a miraculous revelation and confirmation to Joseph.
The miracle of the conception of Jesus had been revealed by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before the event, when he foretold: The virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel (God with us). . . . The government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6).
The prophet Isaiah spoke of "the one" virgin in the history of mankind who would conceive miraculously by the Holy Spirit and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matthew 1:23). Jesus' birth showed His unique nature as both God and man.
The prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah, whose goings forth have been . . . from everlasting (Micah 5:2), would be born in Bethlehem of Judah. This small town, about five miles south of Jerusalem, was called the City of David, for that is where he had grown up.
Following the birth of John the Baptist, his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a Horn (Power and Authority) of salvation for us in the house of His servant David . . . To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His Holy Covenant; The oath which He made to our father Abraham . . . that we . . . might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life (Luke 1:67-75).
Cross References:
For Luke 1:17: See Mal. 4:6. Luke 1:50: See Psa. 103:17. Luke 1:53: See Psa. 107:9. Luke 1:71: See Psa. 106:10. Luke 1:76: See Mal. 3:1. Luke 1:79: See Isa. 9:1-2; 59:8.
Government Officials: Rep. Robert Borski (PA), Rep. Chris Cannon (UT), and Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (IL) · BPM Staff: Letha Hash · Pray for Dr. Frank Wright, Honorary President, International Bible Reading Association; Director, Center for Christian Statemanship, Washington DC · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast sponsored by Norman & Lois Woleslagle · Country: France (57 million) in western Europe · Major language: French · Religious freedom · 74% Roman Catholic; 5% Muslim; 2% Protestant; 1% Jewish · Prayer Suggestion: Pray when you are afflicted and suffering (James 5:13).
Memory Verse for the Week:
Hebrews 3:13