Five Responses to Hope

Isaiah 9:6–7 “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. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Background: Israel has been without a active prophet for 400 years. Under Roman rule. and waiting for the hope of Israel.

Acts 28:20 “For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.””

Hosea 2:15 “I will give her her vineyards from there, And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; She shall sing there, As in the days of her youth, As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.”

A prepared people waiting for a promise, but it has been a long wait. They were distracted by formalism, religion, the world, and details of life.

Zacharias

Luke 1:5 “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.”

Luke 1:18–19 “And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.”

He was a priest, ministering in the presence of God and didn’t know how to respond to hope.

Luke 1:20 “But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.””

His response was one of doubt, disbelief. He did not believe words which would be fulfilled by the God of Promise. His response would leave him mute for 9 months. He would not be able to spread his disbelief to others.

by verse :67 he would be filled with the Holy Spirit and giving an amazing testimony.

Mary

Her response to Gabriel was verse :34 How can this be?

Luke 1:34 “Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?””

To this Gabriel explains (this was an honest question, she knew she was a virgin) Zacharias should have remembered Abraham and Sarah.

After understanding God’s will Mary was humbled and obedient.

Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing will be impossible.””

Luke 1:38 “Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

Elizabeth

Luke 1:41 “And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit

Luke 1:15 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.”

Luke 1:67 “Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:”

The only family in the gospels “filled with the Holy Spirit” outside of Jesus, the only individuals!

Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.””

This is Elizabeth’s message to Mary “you are blessed because you believed”

Simeon

Luke 2:25 “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

Just and Devout

He was “waiting” προσδέχομαι - prosdechomai

He was led by the Spirit and testified to those who were there

Anna

Luke 2:37 “and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”

Luke 2:38 “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

“looked” - προσδέχομαι - prosdechomai Titus 2:13 “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”

προσδέχομαι - prosdechomai - To look forward to, to wait for, to expect, to receive in a welcome manner (a person who is a guest see: Phoebe Romans 16:2 “that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.” ; Epaphroditus Philippians 2:29 “Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem;” ; )

See the passage list [lemma.g:προσδέχομαι in NKJV]

This is the best definition of hope and how to respond to the promise

Two women

God didn't use the religious system to affect the incarnation narrative. Israel would turn God’s plan into a system. Traditions, trappings, religious books…

God did not use those things to reveal Himself or His plan to the world. Why would He do that now?

Christ is coming into the world The culmination of plans made before the foundation of the world. and what is God doin? Talking to two women. Preparing their hearts.

one old and barren one young unmarried and a virgin

Luke 1:16–18 “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”” Zacharias goes dumb, typical of an overthinker. Elizabeth and Mary had to come to terms with God’s plan.

Luke 1:43 “But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Luke 1:48 “For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.”

Humility marks those being used by God

Luke 1:46–55 “And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”” Luke 1:68–71 ““Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us,”

notice past tense He has already done it “finished work”

He gives us voice when He is ready to use us.

some in Israel were waiting, most were not

προσδέχομαι PROSDECHOMAI- waiting, looking, waiting day after day, looking forward to . Ready to receive as an honored guest. The returning Master Luke 12:36 “and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.”

Days of expectation, of hope Simeon

Luke 2:25 “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” Anna Luke 2:38 “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”