Mary Did Know
Luke 1:26-38
Good morning.
Think about the song we just sang, “Mary, did you know?”.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb. Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great, I Am.
Please open your Bibles to the Gospel of Luke 1, as we continue in a Christmas mini-series.
Last week we looked at the Christmas perspective of the shepherds, as the angel brought good tidings of great joy.
It is good news that Jesus Christ came to the earth He created in order to save us from our sin and sin’s penalty.
Once the shepherds receive good tidings of great joy, the shepherds spread the Gospel.
We are all in need of a Savior. I need a Savior, my neighbors need a Savior, my family needs a Savior.
Today we are going to look at the account of the angel visiting Mary with the news that she would give birth to the Messiah, as we look at some fulfilled prophecies as well.
I. The message was delivered.
Read Luke 1:26-30
Just before this account in Luke, we have the account where an angel appeared to the priest Zacharias and informed him of the birth of John the Baptist to him and his aged wife.
Six months after the announcement, the angel Gabriel was sent to a virgin girl, Mary, with some unbelievable news, that she would become pregnant with a special son, but not by Joseph.
Mary was pledged, or betrothed, to Joseph.
Often times in their culture, young children were pledged to another in a pre-arranged marriage by their parents.
During the time of betrothal, the couple was known as husband and wife, and a betrothal could only be broken by divorce.
Mary was betrothed and pregnant prior to the marriage, even though she did not have any physical relations with Joseph.
How would their society expect Joseph to respond to this news?
According to their laws, Mary could have been stoned to death and her family would lose all the rights of her dowry.
Mary had to live with this innuendo and shameful rendition of her pregnancy with Jesus for most of her life.
In our passage, Gabriel said three things to Mary, which we also receive once we are in Christ. Mary was highly favored, the Lord was with her, and she was blessed.
I often joke around and say that I am the Lord’s favorite and although that sounds conceited, it is correct. If you have Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you also are His favorite or favored one.
Ephesians 1 very clearly tells us that as true believers in Jesus, we are highly favored, and we are blessed. The Lord also promises to never leave us nor forsake us.
God’s favor is synonymous with God’s grace or kindness. We know it is only by God’s undeserved favor and grace that we can experience eternal life.
It is also God’s grace that gives us the ability to live for the Lord with the abundant life He gives.
God shows each of us favor and blessings in many ways, but we become favored the moment we accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation by faith! (Grace = God’s riches at Christ’s expense)
Notice when Mary saw the angel, she was troubled. Mary was troubled at the angels saying, shows humility because she did not expect the extravagant promise that was said of her.
II. Who is this baby?
Read Luke 1:31-33
Notice, “You shall call his name JESUS.”
The name Jesus means "Yahweh is salvation" and “Christ” comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning Anointed One.
The Jewish people were expecting a Messiah to give them physical victory over their different captors throughout history.
Notice the passage says, “He will be great”.
C. H. Spurgeon said, “Is it not proven that He is great? Conquerors are great, and He is the greatest of them. Deliverers are great, and He is the greatest of them.
“Liberators are great, and He is the greatest of them. Saviors are great, and He is the greatest of them.” (Spurgeon)
The angel also said, “He will be called the Son of the Highest”.
When Gabriel told Mary that she would have a son, he also promised the fulfillment of many prophecies given throughout the Old Testament.
He was to be called the Son of the Highest. Highest in Greek is ypsistos (hoop-sis-tos). It is equivalent to the Hebrew word Elohim, the most common name of God in the Old Testament.
Highest means the Most High and the supreme God of heaven.
Jesus was the physical son of Mary, but He is also known as the Son of God. Notice, Jesus will reign on the throne of His father, David.
The son of Mary was also the Son of God, the Messiah prophesied to David, as the One who has the rightful authority to rule over Israel, and of His kingdom there will be no end.
The Lord speaking to David about the coming Messiah said…
2 Samuel 7:12 I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
2 Samuel 7:13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
2 Samuel 7:14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son.
Mary fully understood all that Gabriel had promised because she knew the promises of Messiah given within the Word of God.
Mary knew Gabriel was quoting from the prophet Isaiah as he told her she would conceive and bear a Son, even as a virgin.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. NKJV
III. Clarifying questions.
Read Luke 1:34-38
"How can this be, since I do not know a man (I am a virgin)?"
This is the same response we may have at times as we tell God, “I am confused at why you allow certain situations in my life.”
I do not believe Mary was doubting. I simply think Mary wanted to clarify some of the facts about Gabriel’s announcement.
Mary’s life would soon go from ordinary to extraordinary.
Knowing Jesus is life’s greatest adventure, and when we are fully sold out to Him, our life will become extraordinary as well.
Mary had her whole life planned out, and then her ordinary life was interrupted by an unexpected event.
Notice Gabriel’s answer to Mary that the power of the Highest, represented in the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, would overshadow Mary.
The word overshadow means to cast a shade upon, i.e. (by analogy) to envelop in a haze of brilliancy. (Stong’s G-1909)
This is similar to what we read about at the Transfiguration of Jesus, or how the cloud was over the Tabernacle in the desert by day, during the exodus.
The cloud during both of these times was a visible manifestation of the Shekinah Glory and presence of God. The same power of God was with Mary that was with Israel in the Old Testament.
(Notice an important fact) We are told here in vs. 35. Jesus did not become the Son of God; He was called the Son of God, showing the divine nature Jesus always had from eternity past.
Gabriel assures Mary the promise is true by saying, “Elizabeth, your relative has also conceived a son in her old age.”
Gabriel explained the promise to Elizabeth, being pregnant in her old age was more proof that nothing is too difficult for God.
If the Lord could cause a woman passed the age of fertility to become pregnant, He could do what He had promised for Mary.
Re-read Luke 1:38
Mary said, “Here is your servant, may it happen just as you said it would.” Mary willingly submits to the Lord’s will for her life.
Sometimes we are so set in our ways that we fight the Lord every inch of the way but, He has great plans for His chosen.
Once you choose to follow the Lord with every part of your being, you will never be the same, and life will be extraordinary.
In the end, it won’t really matter if life goes the way you planned it or not. It won’t matter what you accumulated in life or even where you lived. What matter is, did you follow Jesus.
IV. Lyrical pursuit.
“Mary did you know?” My thesis is that, yes Mary did know.
Mary would have fully understood all that Gabriel had promised because she knew the promises given within the Word of God.
If we were to continue to read Luke 1, we would read Mary’s song unto the Lord.
Luke 1:54 He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy,
Luke 1:55 As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever." NKJV
Mary knew the promises of God because she knew the Word of God. So, the first question from the song:
1. Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Remember the narrative of Jesus walking on the water during a meg-storm and the Disciples were extremely fearful.
Well, there are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled while here on earth.
There are many passages that deal with His power over nature.
Isaiah 35:6 For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 35:7 The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water; NKJV
2. Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
When the angel spoke to Joseph about Mary’s pregnancy…
Joseph was informed of the baby Jesus’ clear purpose in Matthew 1:21, “For He will save His people from their sins”.
Jesus saves us first from the penalty of sin, then from the power of sin, and finally from the presence of sin.
3. Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
As the Lord created the world, everything He created was good.
We are told that soon, Adam and Eve sinned and therefore sin was brought upon all mankind.
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. NKJV
But even in man’s sin, God remembered mercy and promised to make all things new through the coming of Messiah.
Isaiah 49:8 Thus says the LORD: "In an acceptable time I have heard You, and in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You as a covenant to the people, to restore the earth, NKJV
Revelation 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." NKJV
4. This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
(From Isaiah) Romans 11:26 "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
Romans 11:27 For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." NKJV
5. Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man.
Isaiah 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. NKJV
6. Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?
Psalm 65:6 Who established the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power;
Psalm 65:7 You who still the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples. NKJV
7. Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
Isaiah 66:1Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool.” NKJV
8. When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God.
Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. NKJV
9. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
Isaiah 42:6 "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles,
Isaiah 42:7 To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
10. The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb.
In fulfillment of Messianic prophecies, Matthew 11:5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. NKJV
11. Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NKJV
12. Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Jeremiah 23:5 "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
Jeremiah 23:6 In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. NKJV
13. Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
Jesus is called the Lamb of God in John because Jesus was the perfect, acceptable sacrifice to take the penalty for our sin.
The Old Testament shows the picture of the future Lamb of God offered as a guilt offering as well as an atonement for sin.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.
Isaiah 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken. NKJV
14. That sleeping child you're holding is the great, I Am.
The Great I am, is a reference to Almighty God Himself, revealed in God the Son. While in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night Jesus was betrayed….
John 18:5 Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.
John 18:6 Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. NKJV
In Exodus 3 the Lord revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush and Moses asked God His name…
Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" NKJV
In John 18:6, Jesus attributed the divine name of God "I AM" from Exodus 3:14, to Himself.
The Greek word in John 18:6 for "I am" is ego eimi. It literally means, "I am" who I am, the self-existing God!
This is the present tense in the Greek for Jesus to say "I have always been" "I am" who I am.
And as Jesus reveals that He is the same God that Moses met at the burning bush, He reveals some of His Shekinah Glory.
Shekinah is the English transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling" or "settling" which symbolizes the dwelling or settling of the divine presence of God.
This Shekinah Glory is seen in the Tabernacle in Exodus and is the same Glory Jesus revealed on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Jesus asked, “Whom are you seeking” and they respond by saying, “Jesus” so He reveals to them, His true identity.
As Jesus shows this mob just a small portion of His Glory, they are overwhelmed; notice they all fall backwards to the ground!
V. Practical Application.
Luke 2:18, all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. NKJV
“Mary did you know?” My thesis is that yes, Mary did know.
Mary would have fully understood all that Gabriel had promised because she knew the promises given within the Word of God.
And because Mary knew who Jesus was, she not only raised Jesus, but she trusted Him for salvation.
Read Luke 1:46-50
The Lord loves you and has sent His Son Jesus to earth in the form of a baby to die for your sins.
Mary and Joseph both grew up all their lives, knowing the story about the coming Messiah. Mary submited herself to the Lord, and Joseph followed the Lord’s plans after hearing His call.
Have you answered the call of God to surrender to Him as Lord and Savior and asked Him to forgive you of your sins?
Are you allowing Him to direct your life as your Lord, boss, and your God?
The real Christmas story is that God Himself Immanuel, which means God with us, came here in the flesh to save you from your sin.
He came to earth as a baby, but He grew up and took the cross on your behalf.
He was crucified, died, and was buried; He rose on the third day and went back to heaven. Someday He is coming back for us.
The challenge for each person here is this: just like the old Christmas carol says, “Let every heart prepare Him room”.
We must realize the Lord had a plan before the world was formed to redeem us from our sins.
The Lord desires that we come to know Him for Salvation and make Him the focus and center of our lives as we follow Him. We should listen to the Lord and follow His will for our life.
