A Special Visitor.

Sermon Title: A special visitor.

Scripture Text: Luke 1:26-38

Jesus is a masculine given name derived from Greek form of the Hebrew and Aramaic name Yeshua or Y'shua. As its roots lie in the name Yeshua/Y'shua, it is etymologically related to another biblical name, Joshua.

Some believe Jesus was named after the two Joshua’s in the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament. Joshua that came after Moses to lead the people and Joshua the Prophet. In Hebrew and Aramaic, the original word could be interpreted Joshua or Jesus.

That could be but it seems that Jesus name is given because of what it means. Not for a name of past heroes in the Hebrew Scriptures.

I think the name had to do more with who and what Jesus was going to do for His people than anything else. Jesus or Yahweh means salvation. Which means: Jesus is our salvation. In our Scripture text we see where the beginning is starting to take place.

Now hear the reading of Gods' Word:

Luke 1:26-38 NLT

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “For you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.”

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Shortly after Gabriel leaves Mary she goes to visit her Aunt Elizabeth. Can you image the talking they did about what was happening in their lives? Of course, Zacariah didn’t talk too much.

When a young girl or woman gets pregnant today it isn’t the same as when Mary was pregnant and not married. Mary was about 13 or 14 years old and dealing with all this. Her family was a mess with hurt and anger. Her life was over, no other man would have her now. Also, her fiancé. By the way they, had never been with each other in that way. Think of the agony he was going through. Now the village knew, and they were ridiculing and shunning here. Her close friends were doing the same to her. The whole village had turned against her.

Mary persevered and trusted God.

God saved Mary’s personal life by sending a messenger to her fiancé, Joseph, explaining and saying what was happening was ok.

Joseph took Mary to be his wife. Saving her from a horrible situation but God had a plan. Joseph was her husband and would be Jesus’ example of what a man should be. A fatherly example to the Son of God. That says a lot about Joseph don't you think?

God only revealed things over time that they would need to know. Which is the same way God works today.

So, why was Mary chosen to be the mother of God’s son, Jesus? Because of her strong faith, humility, trust in God, and extraordinary character. She submitted to God’s will even under seemingly impossible circumstances and readily agreed to follow God’s will for her life, whatever it would be.

How far are we willing to go when we follow Jesus. Can we say:

I’m your servant Oh Lord God. Whatever your desires are I’m willing to do them.