The Characters of Christmas - week 2

Advent 2024  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Luke 1:26-38 & Matthew 1:18-25

Main idea: The birth of Jesus is good news for Mary, Joseph and every person that needs hope restored and life’s equation renewed.

Point #1: The birth of Jesus proved Joseph and Mary were not forgotten.

Luke 1:26–33 ESV
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from 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. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And 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 bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to 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.”
Just like Zechariah and Elizabeth, there is history to unpack so we understand Mary and Joseph. Many Bible scholars believe that Joseph was the direct, rightful heir to the throne of Israel. You can read Joseph’s genealogy in Matthew 1 and learn that his ancestors were kings. Of course, he would never sit on that throne. He served his family as a carpenter that didn’t make much money. Manhood began at the young age of 15. In Luke 1, Joseph is probably in his late teens.
It is also believed that Mary has some royalty in her family line. However, she lived a simple life and likely had no education and was being was raised to be Joseph’s wife. It could have been decided years prior to the betrothal that Joseph would take Mary to be his wife. Many Jewish girls would marry shortly after puberty, which would mean Mary is probably between the ages of 12-14.
Verse 27 tells us Mary was betrothed to Joseph. A betrothal was a legal contract of marriage without living together and a physical relationship. There were only two options to break the contract; death or divorce. Most betrothals lasted one year, transitioned into a seven day wedding feast and ended with time in the consummation tent. Joseph and Mary are in the year-long betrothal.
Any wealth or status their families once claimed was long forgotten. So, we have the story of two teenagers trying to figure out life living paycheck to paycheck. Do you remember trying to figure out life? Do you remember being broke? Do you remember the stress and tension that goes with not having enough money? Do you remember looking at your checkbook with no hope of a better situation? Can you relate to Joseph and Mary?
The birth of Jesus reminds us that we are not forgotten. Gabriel made an appearance to young Mary and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you.”
Every version in this room says favored. In the margin next to verse 28, jot down Ephesians 1:6. I want you to see the two verses next to each other. The same grace and kindness that was given to Mary in verse 28 is given to each believer in Ephesians 1:6. Mary was a recipient of our Lord’s kindness, just as you and I are recipient of the same kindness.
Verse 29 tells us that Mary is scared by Gabriel’s appearance. Remember, there hasn’t been a word from the Lord for over 400 years. Based on verse 36, Mary doesn’t know Elizabeth is pregnant and Gabriel appeared to Zechariah. Gabriel provided comforting words while he shared the news of restored hope for Mary and Joseph. Mary, you’re going to have a son. He is going to get David’s throne. He will reign over all of Israel. It will not be broken up.
The birth of Jesus fuels hope. Think about what that conversation would mean for a young couple with royalty in their family line. Everything once claimed by our family is coming back. The Lord did remember us. The Lord remembered our nation. The Lord is gracious. The Lord keeps his promises. The Lord is good.
I think Mary knew all of those things. Maybe she needed a reminder. Maybe we need a reminder, too.

Point #2: The birth of Jesus changed Joseph and Mary forever.

Luke 1:34–38 ESV
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
While Mary is listening to Gabriel, she is scared and comforted and nervous and excited. Gabriel, I have a question. Verse 34, “How will this be, since I’m a virgin?”
This question is different than Zechariah’s question last week. This isn’t a spiritual question. This is a biological question. Gabriel, how does the impossible become possible? Mary, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. The Lord God chose for an impossible situation to become possible, through his sovereign power. Mary surrendered her body to the Lord’s will for her life, so the Lord would be glorified. Medicine and science were not involved in the process.
The birth of Jesus happened because the Lord changed the equation. Joseph and Mary were changed forever because the Lord changed the equation.
Verse 37 says, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” The birth of Jesus changes the equation in each of our lives. Is there an impossible that you need God to make possible?

Application:

Mary’s response should be our response. Verse 38, “I am the Lord’s servant; let it be according to your word.”
Lord Jesus, would you grow in me a humble heart?
Lord Jesus, would you help me desire a meditative heart?
Lord Jesus, would you blossom my believing heart?
Lord Jesus, would you convict me to respond with a submissive heart?
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