The Messiah Promised Luke 1:26-45

Introduction

All throughout the old testament we see a promised Messiah that would be the sacrifice that could take away the sins of the world. The Sacrifices of the old testament previewed Him, the prophets foretold of him, the old testament saints looked forward to Christ and here the angel Gabriel is going to declare the coming of Christ. This morning we are going to see a young lady from Nazareth that God is going to use in a mighty way because of her faith and humility.

The Angels declaration vs. 26-29

In the first part of Luke 1 we saw a declaration in the temple in Jerusalem that Zacharias and Elisabeth would have a baby in their old age and they would name him John.

As we look at verse 26 we find ourselves north of Jerusalem in the city of Nazareth for the next birth announcement of the Christmas story.

Six months after the announcement that Elisabeth would have a child that would be the forerunner of the Messiah, we find the angel Gabriel making another birth announcement in Nazareth, a city in Galilee.

Here we find Mary introduced vs. 27

She was a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph.

Joseph was of the house of David

Matthew 1:16 “16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”

The word espoused here means Betrothed; affianced; promised in marriage by contract.

This was more serious than an engagement as it was a contract. A betrothal was a formal and binding agreement that was considered a type of marriage. The couple did not live together, but the woman was considered the lawful wife of the man she was betrothed to. A betrothal was usually planned for a year or more before the couple married.

The angels salutation vs.28

Hail, thou art highly favoured

The Lord is with thee

Blessed art thou among woman

Because of Mary’s faithful testimony she was highly favoured, the lord was with her and she was blessed or made prosperous among woman.

Mary’s reaction vs. 29

She was troubled at what the angel said

she cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be

the word cast is almost as though she was replaying in her head what Gabriel had just said about her

The Promised Messiah vs. 30-33

As with every appearance of angels in the new Testament Gabriel, instructed Mary to fear not

Then we learn that Mary was not only highly favoured among people but she had found favour with God.

Because of the favour she found with God she would conceive and bring forth a son, and His name would be Jesus

This would fulfil Isaiahs prophecy if Messiah’s virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14 “14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.”

Look at the description of Jesus

He shall be great

One commentator wrote this “The understatement is striking. But all the synonyms that could be added, such as extraordinary, splendid, magnificient, noble, distinguished, powerful or eminent, would be equally inadequate. It beggars human language to do majestic, glorious person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Adjectives and superlatives are not used because they are superfluous. His life will define great. And worshipping believers are always aware that language is inadequate to express the honor and glory to his person.

In verse 15 we see that John would be great in the sight of the Lord, but Jesus would be great because of who he is, and it doesn’t come from any other source outside of himself

Ephesians 1:21 “21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:”

He Shall be called the Son of the Highest

Jesus possesses the glory of God because he possesses the nature of God, because he is literally God in the flesh

Hebrews 1:3 “3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

The Lord God will give unto him the throne of his father David

This is referring to the Davidic covenant found in 2 Samuel 7.

He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there shall be no end

He also came to fulfil the promises made to the Jewish Fathers.

Today Jesus is seated on his throne in heaven, but one day Jesus will return and establish his righteous kingdom on earth

Mary’s Wonderings vs. 34-38

Mary’s question weren’t evidence of unbelief but rather faith

She knew what would happen, but she didn’t know how it would happen

She believed the promise, but she did not understand the performance.

Notice her question in verse 34. How shall this be, see I know not a man.

Remember she was espoused or betrothed to Joseph, but they weren’t married. She had never known a man so it would be impossible for her to get pregnant.

At one point Joseph was ready to put her away privily

Matthew 1:18–25 KJV 1900

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Another proof of the Virgin birth was found in Gabriels promise to Mary’s cousin Elisabeth vs. 36-38

Gabriel told Mary that her cousin had conceived a son in her old age

She who was barren was having a Son.

A key verse to the first chapter is verse 37

With God nothing shall be impossible

With God a lady in her old age can conceive a son

With God a lady with a barren womb can have a son

With God a virgin can conceive and have a son

With God nothing is impossible, because God makes the impossible, possible.

Mary had enough faith to say, whatever you say will happen I trust him.

Mary and Elisabeth vs. 39-45

Mary traveled to be with Elisabeth and as soon as Mary greeted her John the Baptist leaped in her womb and she was filled with the Holy Ghost and she spake with a loud voice

Blessed art thou among women

Blessed is the fruit of thy womb

She knew that Mary was the mother of her lord

She knew because of John the Baptist leaping for joy when Mary greeted Elisabeth

Notice Mary wasn’t just blessed because she would be the mother of our Lord, but because she had the faith to believe what God had said.

Remember while Mary gave birth to the saviour she has no part in the redemption of sinners and cannot intercede on our behalf and she doesn’t hear our prayers. But Mary is a model of faith, humility, and submission to God’s will. She is a great example to all of us how we should respond to the Word of God.

Conclusion

Mary was mightily used of God because of her faith, obedience and humility. When God comes to us and asks us to do the impossible, do we trust him? This morning if you have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ and what he did for you, come this morning and we can show you from Gods word how you can be saved.