A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE – THE MEN OF THE INCARNATION
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An explanation – I highlighted a number of words and phrases in the biblical text in red, but because the layout here can’t use formatting, I have placed those in capitals. I hope you don’t mind. I know capitals are awkward.
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What do we think of when we think “Christmas”? Well that depends on one’s relationship with God. If you have no Christian leanings I think your mind is taken with food and drink, presents Santa Claus, family, holidays, and a good time. More than ever in these days, little of Christmas has any Christian meaning to people.
At the time of the First Advent, the Incarnation or the birth of Christ, we all know about Mary and the manger, the shepherds and the inn, but have we thought much about the men of the Incarnation, before and at that time? We go to the beginning. That is what this is about.
[1]. ZACHARIAS – THE FIRST CONTACT
{{Luke 1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain PRIEST named Zacharias of the division of Abijah, and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Luke 1:6 They were BOTH RIGHTEOUS in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. Luke 1:7 They had no child because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.”}}
Zacharias, this Godly, righteous man, was performing his priestly duties when this event happened -
{{Luke 1:11-20 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense Luke 1:12 and Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear gripped him, Luke 1:13 but the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you will give him the name John. Luke 1:14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:15 He will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor and he will be FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT while yet in his mother’s womb, Luke 1:16 and HE WILL TURN BACK MANY OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL TO THE LORD THEIR GOD. Luke 1:17 It is he who will go as A FORERUNNER before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE LORD.” Luke 1:18 Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this for certain for I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years?” Luke 1:19 and the angel answered and said to him, “I AM GABRIEL, WHO STANDS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Luke 1:20 Behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place because you did not believe my words which shall be fulfilled in their proper time.”}}
Zacharias had an angelic encounter for we are on holy ground unlike any other in the history of mankind. Not any angel, but Gabriel. This angel was the special messenger of God. Zacharias was dumb because of this encounter, as in no talking, but he had much to contemplate. Just what sort of son was he to have? – filled with the Holy Spirit; great ministry in Israel; a forerunner. Both Zacharias and Elizabeth were righteous. Note the expression – {{Luke 1:6 “They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.”}} -? this was something. When we looked at Galatians and saw that the Law could not be kept and it condemned us. God’s testimony for these two is simply remarkable.
Zacharias was told his son would be “a forerunner in the spirit and power of Elijah.” All the righteous Jews knew a forerunner would come before the Messiah. This was too much! His own son would be that forerunner for Messiah!
Zacharias finished his term and took his break back home with Elizabeth who became pregnant according to the word of the Lord.
GABRIEL SENT TO VISIT MARY
{{Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, Luke 1:27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph of the descendants of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary, Luke 1:28 and coming in, he said to her, “Hail, FAVOURED one! The Lord is with you,” Luke 1:29 but she was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be. Luke 1:30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, FOR YOU HAVE FOUND FAVOUR WITH GOD,”}}
Again from the very presence of God came Gabriel, again on holy ground. Finding favour has nothing to do with some quality Mary worked at to obtain, but rather the grace of God which chose her in His will. Grace is the pivot on which all God’s decrees rest. Gabriel’s special message from God to Mary continued -
{{Luke 1:31 “and behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. Luke 1:32 He will be GREAT and will be called THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH, and the LORD GOD WILL GIVE HIM THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER DAVID, Luke 1:33 and He will REIGN OVER THE HOUSE OF JACOB FOREVER, and His kingdom will have no end.” Luke 1:34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:35 and the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, and for that reason the holy offspring SHALL BE CALLED THE SON OF GOD. Luke 1:36 Behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month, Luke 1:37 for nothing will be impossible with God.”}}
The King James translation of the term syngenis as “cousin” (Luke 1:36) is unwarranted and somewhat misleading to those who normally interpret the word to mean “first cousin.” The Greek simply means “relative” or “kinswoman” It is a general term, meaning of the same family. Thus, Mary and Elizabeth may have been first cousins, or they may have been 4th, 5th cousins etc.
Verse 37 is one of the strongholds of faith in all the Bible and it was not spoken by man but by Gabriel who stands in the very presence of God. In all your need, and the times when the sky is dark, this is your verse. NOTHING EVER, is impossible with God.
{{Luke 1:38 Mary said, “Behold, the bond-slave of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word,” and the angel departed from her.”}}
What an encounter this was. Gabriel revealed so much about the Person who would be born of Mary but not of His sacrifice. That is not our concentration today. Have a look again at the points capitalised on the Person and Ministry of the Lord in the passage above.
MARY GOES TO VISIT ELIZABETH
{{Luke 1:39-42 Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, Luke 1:40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth, Luke 1:41 and it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, THE BABY LEAPED IN HER WOMB AND ELIZABETH WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, Luke 1:42 and she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”}}
This statement in verse 42 was a divine revelation given to Elizabeth for she had no idea about what was transpiring with Mary. There was an accord between the two women and this was all being noted by Zacharias. What was eventuating was even greater than his own experience. “Blessed among women” not “Blessed over women” suggesting that all women can share in this blessing from one of their own. It also discounts the lies that are attached to Mary. Mary is not over women.
ELIZABETH CONTINUES HER REVELATION TO MARY
{{Luke 1:43-47 How has it happened to me that THE MOTHER OF MY LORD should come to me? Luke 1:44 for behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” Luke 1:46 Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, Luke 1:47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour,”}}
We have here further revelation to Elizabeth. This was a huge one.
Mary raced off to Elizabeth when Elizabeth was six months pregnant and stayed 3 months. I believe it was there that Mary conceived. Zacharias and Mary had an angelic encounter with Gabriel. Their offspring were to be connected in a special way. One was to be the forerunner, and the other the Messiah.
What communication Zacharias would have had with the two women! He could not speak but they were all on the verge of something very great. Zacharias was visited by the angel Gabriel by the altar of incense. Sweet incense rising to God from the coals on the altar speak of worship and intercession. Now the sweetness and intercession from God comes down as He sends the Saviour into the world. What a rising of praise and worship came from the dwelling of Zacharias and Elizabeth and Mary in those three months.
[2]. JOSEPH: ENGAGED TO MARY (BETHROTHED)
{{Matthew 1:18-19 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was FOUND TO BE WITH CHILD by the Holy Spirit, Matt 1:19 and Joseph her husband, being a RIGHTEOUS MAN, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away SECRETLY,”}}
Mary returned home. Joseph discovered her pregnancy. How? She had not told him of the meeting with Gabriel or if she had, he found it too impossible to accept. These were the times of betrothal/engagement/arranged marriages. It is presumed that Mary was in her later teens and Joseph was quite a lot older. Naturally he assumed unfaithfulness which was the only conclusion. He may have connected it with the time she was away for three months. He was righteous. He would put her away secretly, that is, not dump her out in the desert, figuratively speaking, so no one would know. He would take the necessary steps to abolish the proposed marriage union. He would not shame or disgrace Mary and this is in great contrast to the Pharisees who dragged a poor woman to Jesus wanting her to be stoned for her indiscretion. Joseph was a good man.
{{Matthew 1:20-25 but when he had considered this, behold, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife for that which has been CONCEIVED IN HER IS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Matt 1:21 She will bear a Son and you shall call His name JESUS, for it is He who will save His people FROM THEIR SINS.” Matt 1:22 Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, Matt 1:23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” WHICH TRANSLATED MEANS, “GOD WITH US.” Matt 1:24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her AS HIS WIFE, Matt 1:25 and KEPT HER A VIRGIN until she gave birth to a Son and he called His name Jesus.”}}
We are on holy ground. God had to provide the perfect preparation and did so with another angelic intervention. This is what Joseph needed but he was obedient. Mary became his wife but there were no physical relations until after the birth of the Lord. This was a huge revelation for Joseph – conception from the Holy Spirit and “save His people from their sins” and Immanuel.
Joseph was a hard working carpenter and the father of James and Joseph and Simon and Judas and he had a number of daughters also. Jesus was known as the son of the carpenter - Matthew 13:55–56. He was a descendant of the royal line of David.
[3]. THE SHEPHERDS WERE GREATLY BLESSED
{{Luke 2:8-14 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:9 AN ANGEL OF THE LORD suddenly stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened, Luke 2:10 and the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you GOOD NEWS OF A GREAT JOY which shall be for all the people Luke 2:11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you A SAVIOUR WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD. Luke 2:12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:13 SUDDENLY THERE APPEARED WITH THE ANGEL A MULTITUDE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST PRAISING GOD, AND SAYING, Luke 2:14 “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE AMONG MEN WITH WHOM HE IS PLEASED.”
Luke 2:15-20 It came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us,” Luke 2:16 and THEY CAME IN HASTE and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. Luke 2:17 When they had seen this, THEY MADE KNOWN THE STATEMENT which had been told them about this Child, Luke 2:18 and all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds, Luke 2:19 but Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:20 The shepherds went back, GLORIFYING AND PRAISING GOD for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”}}
The shepherds were also sent an angel – Luke 2 v 9. But something extra – the glory of the Lord was opened up upon them. These were simple men and faithful in their job; men who meditated under the stars and entered into the creative wonders of God in their lives in the fields; devout men, companions in God’s field. God called these good shepherds to welcome to this world, the Saviour who is the Good Shepherd. The Shepherd role of the Lord Jesus Christ is very important.
[4]. SIMEON THE DEVOUT FOLLOWER OF THE LORD GOD
{{Luke 2:25-35 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon and this man was RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT, LOOKING FOR THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Luke 2:26 IT HAD BEEN REVEALED to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ, Luke 2:27 and he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, Luke 2:28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, Luke 2:29 “Now Lord, You let Your bond-servant depart in peace, according to Your word, Luke 2:30 FOR MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION Luke 2:31 which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, Luke 2:32 a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:33 His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him Luke 2:34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “BEHOLD, THIS CHILD IS APPOINTED FOR THE FALL AND RISE OF MANY IN ISRAEL, AND FOR A SIGN TO BE OPPOSED - Luke 2:35 AND A SWORD WILL PIERCE EVEN YOUR OWN SOUL - TO THE END THAT THOUGHTS FROM MANY HEARTS MAY BE REVEALED.”}}
Simeon was a prophetic man. God had revealed to him an event for the future. He himself made prophetic statements about the Lord and Mary. A man of great devotion and righteousness; a man of earnest expectation, a true prophet. All through this time God had His own in special positions of ministry.
[5]. AUGUSTUS – AN EXAMPLE OF A PAGAN MAN DOING THE WILL OF GOD IN IGNORANCE
{{Luke 2:1-3 Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. Luke 2:2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria, Luke 2:3 and all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.”}}
This is the only man where God did not intervene either through an angel or by the witness of the Holy Spirit. It is as if he is the odd one out, yet he isn’t. God works with a directive and permissive will. Sending Gabriel was directive will but with Augustus He worked with a permissive will. Augustus. Roman emperor, the all-powerful pagan sent an edict that would result in a direct fulfilment of a prophetic scripture = the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. God allowed him to call this census, because through it, a man and his heavily pregnant wife had to be in Bethlehem for the birth to fulfil the scripture that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem.
God works through people who do not claim His name, to carry out His will. This world is governed by nearly all non-Christians but they are carrying out God’s purpose in His permissive will. They don’t know it and would not want to have anything to do with the will of God, but they are all threads in God’s fabric that is being woven. Very soon the whole tapestry comes together and God will openly intervene in the affairs of men.
SUMMARY:
Of these 5 men, one was a Prophet; one was a Priest; a few were Shepherds; one was a righteous father, a (Builder) Carpenter; and one was a Ruler. I think it quite significant God positioned these, for the Lord is the true Prophet, the Great High Priest, The Good Shepherd, the Righteous Son of the Father, the Master Builder of the Church, and the Ruler of the world. All this was revealed at His birth.
You might have wondered why the Magi were not included. Contrary to accepted belief they came about 18 months after the birth of the Saviour, later on when the family was living in Nazareth and had long left Bethlehem.
ronaldf@aapt.net.au
