A SON IS GIVEN

Luke 1:26–29 (ESV)

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

The angel Gabriel appeared to a priest named Zechariah 6 months before this incident. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

“Greetings”: The original meaning of this word in Greek is “Rejoice!” Mary was a favored one. She was not the fountain of grace. She was favored to be the mother of Jesus.

Jesus’ hometown was prophesied by a prophet Isaiah about 700 before the birth of Jesus.

Isaiah 9:1–3 (ESV)

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali indicate the land around Galilee. Jesus was brought up in the province. Being in the north, these regions in Galilee were the first to suffer from the Assyrian invasion of 732 b.c. (2 Kin. 15:29). So the prophet said “In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun…The people who walked in darkness…”

Luke 1:30–33 (ESV)

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

She was afraid when she met the holy angel of God. She also had same nature with other people. The angel called her future son ‘the Son of the Most High.’ Who is the Most High? Yes, ‘the Most High’ directs God. So ‘the Son of Most High’ means ‘the Son of God.’ He will be the king of the Kingdom of God. His Kingdom will be eternal. Prophet Isaiah said this about 700 years before this incident.

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

The baby has the authority of government on his shoulder. The prophet called the child Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is He just a prophet or God? He is the eternal righteous King of the Kingdom of God.

Luke 1:34–38 (ESV)

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 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. 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. For nothing will be impossible with God.” 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.

The angel Gabriel also called the baby the Son of God. And do you know the meaning of Jesus?

Matthew 1:21 (ESV)

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Genesis 1:2 (ESV)

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

As the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters in the creation of the world, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed Mary. Imagine the scene of Creation. The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of waters. And now the Spirit of God is hovering and overshadows her. So a son was conceived in Virgin Mary.

Luke 2:1–5 (ESV)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

Mary moved to Bethlehem when she was full term pregnant. So Jesus was born in Bethlehem. And His birth place was prophesied by a prophet Micah about 700 years before Jesus’ birth.

Micah 5:2 (ESV)

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Beth means bread and Lehem means bread. Bethlehem means house of bread. And Ephrathah means ‘fruitful.’ ‘From ancient days’. This expression can also be translated “from days of eternity.” A more-than-human figure is involved.

Because of the decree of Caesar Augustus, they moved to Bethlehem and the child was born in Bethlehem. So the prophesy of Jesus’ birth place was fulfilled.

Luke 2:6–7 (ESV)

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

He was not born in a hospital nor in a hotel but in a barn and was laid in a manger. Later Jesus called himself as the bread of life. A baby who is the bread of life was laid in a vessel of food in the town of house of bread.

John 6:33–35 (ESV)

For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Luke 2:8–9 (ESV)

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

Luke 2:10–12 (ESV)

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:13–15 (ESV)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Luke 2:16–18 (ESV)

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

Luke 2:19–21 (ESV)

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.