Christmas Series – 2014
The Birth Narratives
Luke’s Story
Sermon # 5
“The Announcement of the King.”
Luke 1:26-38
Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Monetarily the way we as American’s cele-brate Christmas is expensive. Everything from buying gifts to meeting the December social obligations can all lead to January “sticker shock” and depression. Physical stress is also present because Christmas seems to be a time of non-stop activity. And then there is the emotion- al stress – loneliness and loss seems more pronounced at Christmas than at any other time of the year.
It is hard to imagine anyone more stressed by Christmas than the young woman we are going to meet this morning in Luke chapter one (vv. 26-38). This young woman received perhaps one of the greatest surprises in history, a surprise that turned her world and ours upside down. We are going to look at her response to that surprise, which came in the form of a question, a question that has been a part of the Christ-mas story for over 2,000 years.
In our series “The Birth Narratives” we are taking note of how each of the Gospel’s introduces the person of Jesus differently. Matthew introduces Jesus by giving his genealogy. John take the reader to eternity past so that no one comes to the erroneous conclusion that the life of Jesus began at His birth in human form at Bethlehem. Mark begins his gospel by presenting Jesus credentials through the character witnesses of, John the Baptist, God the Father, and Satan the tempter. Luke also has the genealogy of Jesus but traced through His mother’s line. Luke begins his gospel by recording the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth.
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, (27) to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. (28) And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (29) But when she saw him. she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. (30) Then 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 bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. (32) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; 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 of His kingdom there will be no end.” (34) Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (35) And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will over-shadow you; there-fore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (36) Now indeed, Elizabeth your rela-tive has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. (37) For with God nothing will be impossible.”(38) Then Mary said, “Behold the maid-servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
Let me give you a concise run down on what we know about Mary from Luke’s gospel? Here is a brief list: First, her father’s name was (Eli – Lk. 3:23). Second, she had a relative (cousin according to KJV – Lk. 1:36) named Elizabeth. Third, she is young. Fourth, she is poor. Fifth, she is a woman of faith. Sixth, she is engaged to be married. That’s it. But today’s text has some extraordinary things to teach us about who God chose to be the earthly mother of His Son.
First, God Often Chooses To Use Those That The World Would Reject. (1:26-28)
The story begins in verse twenty-six, “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, (27) to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. (28) And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
When the story opens Mary is “betrothed” or “pledged” to Joseph. That meant that she had formally agreed to marry him but the “wedding” had not yet taken place. Between the “betrothal” and the “wedding feast” was a period usually lasting six months to a year. During that period the couple was considered to be married and was called husband and wife, but they did not live together and did not consummate their mar-riage physically.
It is at this point that God breaks in to human history. He is about to ask an unknown young lady to take part in something so shocking as to be totally unbelievable. This He does through an angel named Gabriel. We know his name because the text tells us (v. 26), we don’t know that Mary knew his name.
Some would have discounted her because she was young, she was after probably not yet twenty years old. She was from a poor family and as such would probably not even been able to read. From all the external indic-ators of the world she would not be extraordinary. She would live, marry, bear children and probably never travel more than a few miles from where she was born. She was a nobody in a nothing town in the middle of nowhere!!
Some still hold Mary of little significance or honor. However, on the opposite end of the spectrum is the belief held by Catholics that Mary was more than human. It is a faulty translation of verse twenty-eight that gives rise to the Catholic use of the phrase, “Hail Mary full of Grace.” This conveys the idea that Mary had every gift, not only spiritual but secular; that she was a dispenser of grace, resulting in prayers being offered to her. The ultimate extension of that was in December 8, 1854 when Pope Pius IX declared the doctrine of the “Immaculate Conception.” By “Immaculate Conception” most non-Catholics think that this refers to the birth of Jesus but it does not. This doctrine is holding that Mary herself was conceived without the agency of a man. This doctrine is a sad distortion, which would have scandalized the heart of Mary.
Mary was a woman worthy of honor. Among women there has never been any greater (Luke 1:28, 42)! But she is not a mediator between Jesus and men. (1 Tim 2:5 - There is but one mediator between God and men)
God Often Uses Those Whom The World Would Reject!
Secondly, God Promises An Answer To Man’s Sin Problem. (1:29-38)
The text says in verse twenty-nine that, “But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.” Mary simply did not know what to make of it! It’s as if a complete stranger came up to you and said, “Boy do I have good news. This is your lucky day. God has chosen you for a special blessing!” This stranger comes up with “the” most preposterous sounding thing you have ever heard in your life? So how do you respond to that? Do you argue? Do you say, “Who are you and how did you get here?” Do you call the police?
What Mary did was stop to consider what the appearance of the angel meant to her and what his message might require of her. In verse thirty the angel said to Mary, “… Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (31) And behold, you will con-ceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. (32) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; 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 of His kingdom there will be no end.” (34) Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
The announcement that Mary received greatly troubled her. The prophecy of the coming of the Christ was well known to every Jew. Mary, however, would have been the last to imagine that God’s purpose would be accomplished through her.
The first prediction of the birth of the Savior had been given to Man just after the fall in the Garden of Eden. In the wake of the Adam and Eve’s original sin, not only were they told of the judgment that they had brought on themselves and mankind, God promised them a coming savior. In Genesis 3:15 God said, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And bet-ween your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Here God referred to the supernatural process whereby he would defeat the serpent by the seed of woman, not the seed of any man.
Scripture foretold the same process again seven hundred years before the birth of Christ when the prop-het Isaiah said, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) What striking words, “The virgin shall conceive.” I think we can all agree, in the natural course of nature, virgins do not conceive. But the text stresses this FACT for in verse twenty-seven the word “virgin” is the Greek word (parthenos) which means a young woman of marriageable age but who has never had a sexual relationship with a man.
So just how important is the fact that Jesus be born of a virgin? Some in our day, even in evangelical circles, suggest that the virgin birth is not necessary. But in fact, if Jesus was not born of a virgin there would be no Christmas. Since the Bible clearly teaches the virgin birth of Jesus, you can’t consistently claim to believe anything else the Bible says and at the same time deny the virgin birth. If it cannot be believed at this point why should we believe anything else it says?
To deny the virgin birth is to reduce Jesus Christ to the level of an ordinary human. If Jesus the son of a human father and human mother through natural biological processes, then He is not God in human flesh. It’s that simple. Belief in the virgin birth is essential to affirm the sinless humanity of Jesus Christ.
If Jesus was born of natural parents, then He was born a sinner like all other human beings, and He would have needed a Savior for Himself. If He had sin of His own, He could not have died as the substitute for your sins. If He did not die as your substitute then you are lost, and without hope.
Christmas isn’t just a story to make us feel warm and fuzzy about family, friends, and peace on earth. At the heart of the Christmas story is that the human race is lost, alienated from the holy God because of our sin.
When earlier this same angel told Zachariah that he and his wife were to have a son - John the Baptist (Luke 1: 5-25), in unbelief he requested a sign (v. 18). Zachariah wanted some kind of confirming proof. Mary, however, doesn’t ask for proof she simply asked for clarification (v. 34). Mary wanted clarification as to what was expected of her, so that she could cooperate with the purposes of God. Her question stemmed from her faith, the question of Zachariah stemmed from his doubt.
God Promises An Answer To Man’s Sin Problem.
Third, God Is Not Limited By What Is Physically Possible. (1:35-38)
Gabriel’s answer to Mary’s question is found in verses thirty-five to thirty-eight. “And the angel answer-ed and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (36) Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. (37) For with God nothing will be impossible.”
The angel said, “You want to know how? I’ll tell you how and he did….He said the Holy Spirit come upon you and the power of God will over shadow you. Even your aged cousin Elizabeth is in her sixth month. For you see nothing is impossible with God.” Gabriel realizing that Mary would still have doubts calls her attention to the case of her cousin Elizabeth (v. 36). Elizabeth is now in the sixth month of her preg-nancy. Of course the two situations are not the same. Mary is a young woman; Elizabeth was perhaps 70 years old. Elizabeth’s conception was in the normal way. But the point is that both are examples of human impossibilities being made possible by the word and promise of God. Gabriel’s parting words said it all, “For nothing is impossible with God.” These words are in fact an unmodified absolute. What a wonderful promise. You should underline that sentence in your Bible. Gabriel’s words are no less true in our age.
What are you facing in your life?
Fear? “Nothing is impossible with God."
Confusion? “Nothing is impossible with God."
Feel like you’re too tired to go on? “Nothing is impossible with God."
Can’t get along with your family? “Nothing is impossible with God."
Think you’ll never get over your anger?
Think you’ll never be able to forgive?
Think you’ll never feel capable?
Think you’ll never be loved?
Think you’ll never healthy?
Think you’ll never be happy? “Nothing is impossible with God."
God Is Not Limited By What Is Physically Possible.
Fourth, Following God Is Not Without Cost. (1:38)
Frederick Buechner’s (pronounced BEEK-ner) little book of character sketches of people from the Bible has this to say about the angel Gabriel as he encounters Mary: "She struck him as hardly old enough to have a child at all, let alone this child. But he had been entrusted with a message to give her, and he gave it. He told her what the child was to be named, who he was to be, and something about the mystery that was to come upon her.
’You mustn’t be afraid, Mary,’ he said. As he said it, he only hoped she wouldn’t notice that beneath the great golden wings, he himself was trembling with fear to think that the whole future of Creation hung on the answer of a girl." [Frederick Buechner. “Peculiar Treasures.” [New York: NY: HarperCollins Pub., 1979) p. 113]
Mary may have been young but she was not fickle and shallow. With her words recorded in verse thirty-eight Mary proved that God had indeed chosen the right one. Her response to the angel was, “Behold the maid-servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (1:38)
Mary’s believing response was to surrender her-self completely to God as his willing “servant.” A “maidservant” was the lowest kind of female servant, which shows how much Mary trusted God. She had experienced the grace of God (v. 30) and believed the word of God, therefore she could be used to accomplish the will of God. Mary’s response, “let be to me accord-ing to your word,” helps us to understand that God never forces His love or His will on anyone.
But let’s not underestimate what it cost Mary to say Yes to God. Gone are the girlish dreams of a beau-tiful wedding; gone are the carefully-thought out plans for her wedding day; gone are the hopes for “the most beautiful wedding to the most wonderful man who ever lived.” Mary either knew or would soon realize that saying Yes to God meant public misunderstanding and shame. She will be married, but not before rumors spread through the countryside. Mary will bear God’s son, but because she is unwed that privilege comes with a price: there will be accusations of immorality, pointed fingers, and those who whisper behind her back. This was a part of the pain that Mary would have to bear all her life (Luke 2:35).
She risked everything to follow God. Mary had no way of knowing how Joseph would respond to news of her pregnancy. She risked her future marriage, risked losing Joseph if he did not believe. She not only sacri-ficed her reputation, but in fact she put her very life on the line. The law still said that a woman with child out of marriage was to be stoned to death (Deut. 22:23-24). Knowing all this she said, “let it be to me according to your word.” This is surely one of the most courage-ous statements ever uttered.
Conclusion
We have already noted that Christmas is a stress-ful time. This is made even more so because some of you are carrying heavy burdens today. For some of you Christmas will be lonely this year. Some of you are facing a financial crisis that looks hopeless to you right now. Some of you are estranged from members of your own family. Some of you have children who are far away from God. Some of you feel lonely and far away from God yourselves.
So what does God want from us? He wants the same thing that he wanted from Mary. Simple faith that He will keep His word in unlikely and unexpected ways.
“The Announcement of the King”
Luke1:26-38
First, God Often Chooses To Use Those That The World Would Reject. (1:26-28)
Secondly, God Promises An Answer To Man’s Sin Problem. (1:29-38) (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14)
Third, God Is Not Limited By What Is Physically Possible. (1:35-38)
Fourth, Following God Is Not Without Cost. (1:38)
Don’t underestimate what it cost Mary to say Yes to God.
• meant public misunderstanding and shame. (Luke 2:35).
• risked her future marriage
• put her very life on the line. (Deut. 22:23-24).
The Birth Narratives
Luke’s Story
“The Announcement of the King”
Luke1:26-38
First, God Often Chooses To _____________Those That The World Would ____________________. (1:26-28)
Secondly, God Promises An _____________ To Man’s Sin Problem. (1:29-38) (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14)
Third, God Is Not Limited By What Is Physically ________________. (1:35-38)
Fourth, Following God Is Not Without ________________. (1:38)
Don’t underestimate what it cost Mary to say Yes to God.
•meant _________________ misunderstanding and shame. (Luke 2:35).
•risked her future __________________________.
• put her very ________________ on the line. (Deut. 22:23-24).
