A Savior is born!

The Announcement of Hope: A Promise Fulfilled

Bible Passage: Luke 1:26-38

Summary: This passage narrates the extraordinary announcement by the angel Gabriel to Mary, revealing God's plan of salvation through the birth of Jesus Christ.

Gabriel Announces Christ’s Birth Luke 1:26

26 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

1. He will be great

2. He will be called the Son of the Most High

3.He will be given the throne of His father David

4. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever

5. His kingdom will never end

Mary Miraculously Conceives

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 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.”

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 (well advanced in years), Marys relative was pregnant with John the Baptist.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 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. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Application: This can encourage all Christians to trust in God's promises and embrace the unexpected paths He calls us to, no matter how daunting they may seem, reminding them that God equips those He calls.

Teaching: This teaches that God often uses ordinary individuals to accomplish His extraordinary purposes, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience in our own lives.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage foreshadows the incarnation of Christ, revealing God's ultimate plan of salvation through His Son, who will redeem humanity and reign as King.

Big Idea: God’s promises bring hope, encouraging us to respond in faith to His calling, as we see through Mary’s example of obedience.

1. God's Extraordinary Messenger

Luke 1:26

Consider how Mary, in ordinary circumstances as a young woman, is approached by Gabriel, revealing that God sees and knows us intimately. We have to open to divine interventions in our regular lives and how they often carry greater purposes than we initially perceive.

2. Promise of a King

Luke 1:30-33

Gabriel offers,the assurance and promise encouraging believers to trust God's plan even when it seems to be overwhelming. By reflecting on Jesus' promised eternal kingdom, we are reminded of the steadfastness and certainty of God's promises, prompting us to rely on His everlasting faithfulness in uncertain times.

3. Mary's Faithful Surrender

Luke 1:34-38

Mary's had a faithful response to God's calling despite her fears and doubts. We can be encouraged to respond in faith when God calls, emphasizing that He empowers us for the tasks He gives. This is the importance of surrendering to God's will, trusting that He equips those He calls, just as He assured Mary.

Christ is Born

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:15–20

2:15–20. The shepherds went to see the Baby, and they told what the angels had related to them. The shepherds understood that the angels were speaking for the Lord. They believed the message and went to confirm it for themselves. This was much like the action of Mary after she had heard the message of Elizabeth. Such an attitude contrasts sharply with that of the religious leaders who knew where the Baby was to be born but did not take the time or the effort to confirm it for themselves (Matt. 2:5).

After seeing the Baby, the shepherds were the first messengers to proclaim the arrival of the Messiah: they spread the word. Those who heard … were amazed (ethaumasan). The theme of amazement at the proclamation of the Messiah runs throughout the Book of Luke. (The Gr. verb thaumazō, “to be amazed, to wonder, to be astonished,” occurs in Luke 1:21, 63; 2:18, 33; 4:22; 8:25; 9:43; 11:14, 38; 20:26; 24:12, 41. Two other words for amazement were also used by Luke; see 2:48.) Mary reflected on this momentous event in history. Of all the women of Israel she was the mother of the Messiah! The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God, much as the angels had done (vv. 13–14).

Hope is a multifaceted concept encompassing both noun and verb forms. As a noun, it can refer to an object of desire, grounds for expectation, or a feeling of confidence1. The verb "to hope" carries various related meanings, including waiting with anticipation, looking forward to something, or desiring a particular outcome1. In biblical contexts, the Greek words ἐλπίζω (elpizō) and ἐλπίς (elpis) are associated with hope23. Hope is described as an interest or desire in seeing a cherished goal fulfilled4. Interestingly, the concept of hope is sometimes linked to the "last days," a period beginning with the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, which is considered significant not chronologically but due to its importance in God's plan for reaching lost sinners4.

1. The Bible speaks of "everlasting joy" in Isaiah, where it states that "everlasting joy shall be upon their heads"2. This idea of enduring joy is also reflected in Psalm 16:11, which mentions "fullness of joy" in God's presence and "pleasures for evermore"3. The concept extends beyond mere happiness, with one source defining joy as the "smile of happiness, and the flower of glory"4. Importantly, Christian joy is seen as grounded in theological doctrines and spans from God's delight in creation to the ultimate vision of redeemed humanity1. However, it's noted that this joy can be lost and needs to be restored, as an example in David's plea to regain the "joy of His salvation"

Psalms16:11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 16:9–11

In fact God had caused him to know the path of life so he anticipated experiencing further joy in God’s presence

A young boy was confused at his father’s funeral. He asked his mother why everyone was so sad. His mom explained that they were mourning his death, but the boy replied,after looking in the casket 'But shouldn’t we be happy? Dad is with God in the presence of our lord he is smiling!' This innocent perspective shows us that death does not take away joy; instead, it transforms our understanding of what joy truly is, as we look to the joy of eternal life promised in Scripture to all those that accept Jesus as Lord and savior..