El Anuncio de Su Nacimiento / The Announcement of His Birth
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We are now two weeks away from celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is appropriate to set apart a time during the year where we focus our attention on the miracle of the incarnation.
The birth of Jesus Christ is a historical event. It refers to that point in time where God became a man - God took upon himself a human body.
Before we consider the birth of Jesus Christ we want to consider the birth of his forerunner.
Before Jesus was birth, before the birth of Jesus was announced to Mary and Joseph - there was an announcement of another; the birth of John the Baptist.
It is for this reason that we turn our attention to the gospel of our Lord according to Luke the evangelist.
Today, we will consider the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth.
The 400 years of silence.
The soon-to-be parents.
The announcement of his birth.
I. The 400 years of silence
I. The 400 years of silence
I. Los 400 años de silencio
I. Los 400 años de silencio
The last book of the Old Testament is the book of Malachi.
Malachi lived about 400 years before Jesus was born.
The last words of Malachi’s prophetic ministry are extremely important:
“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
Mal 4.
»Estoy por enviarles al profeta Elías antes que llegue el día del Señor, día grande y terrible. Él hará que los padres se reconcilien con sus hijos y los hijos con sus padres, y así no vendré a herir la tierra con destrucción total.»
Mal 4:
This prophecy says that there will come a day when the Lord would send his prophet - similar to Elijah.
This prophet would reconcile parents to their children and children to their parents.
This would all happen before the Lord would come to judge the inhabitants of the earth.
After Malachi recorded these words there would be at least 400 years of silence.
These years of silence refers to four centuries where God would not speak to men through any living prophet.
Surely, the Lord had given his word and it had been recorded through his prophets; but God was not actively speaking through direct prophetic revelation.
Although we come to Malachi chapter 4 verse 6 and then we turn the page to come to Matthew chapter 1; the reality is that 400 years transpired from point A to point B.
The children of Israel was suffering greatly as result of the Roman occupation.
During these 400 years of silence the children of Israel had been conquered by the Medes and Persians, the Greeks, and the Egyptians. They were now suffering as a result of the Roman occupation.
400 years have past and the people of God are waiting for that one prophet that would come in God’s name to begin God’s work of restoration among his people.
These are the circumstances that Zechariah and Elizabeth find themselves.
II. The soon-to-be parents
II. The soon-to-be parents
II. Los futuros padres
II. Los futuros padres
introduces the soon-to-be parents:
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
We learn that both were from the tribe of Levi - one was a priest and one was a descendant of Aaron.
They are both described as god fearing people. They lived to serve God, to obey his commandments, to worship him faithfully.
They were people that truly walked with God.
However, there was one thing for which they were known - they were childless for Elizabeth was not able to conceive.
Not only were they childless but now they were both elderly and therefore the prospect of having children was practically impossible.
Let us consider these God-fearing people who were also facing hardship.
Serving God does not exempt us for life’s trials and tribulations.
However, when we walk close with God we know that we are not alone; God sustains us.
Zechariah was fulfilling his duty in the God’s temple.
Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
Luke 1:
There was an abundance of priests in Israel. For this reason there was a kind of lottery that would decide which priests would serve in the temple.
Zechariah was now in the process of fulfilling his temple service.
Zechariah was offering incense before the Lord. This was the highest privilege any priest could have for it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Something is about to happen that will forever change Zechariah and Elizabeth’s lives.
III. The announcement of his birth
III. The announcement of his birth
III. El anuncio de su nacimiento
III. El anuncio de su nacimiento
Remember the 400 years of silence?
There have been no prophets from God to Israel.
God has not spoken to his people through his prophets, through dreams, or visions.
The last 400 years have been silence as it relates to hearing God’s voice come to his people.
Now, all of a sudden those 400 years of silence are broken:
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
Luke 1:11-
»¿Quién de ustedes que sea padre, si su hijo le pide un pescado, le dará en cambio una serpiente? ¿O si le pide un huevo, le dará un escorpión? Pues si ustedes, aun siendo malos, saben dar cosas buenas a sus hijos, ¡cuánto más el Padre celestial dará el Espíritu Santo a quienes se lo pidan!
Todos podemos seguir al Maestro siempre y cuando entendamos que estamos siempre batallando contra las huestes de maldad. No es correcto pensar que todo en esta vida va a salir bien sino que siempre estaremos luchando contra las asechanzas del maligno.
En esto un ángel del Señor se le apareció a Zacarías a la derecha del altar del incienso. Al verlo, Zacarías se asustó, y el temor se apoderó de él. El ángel le dijo:
—No tengas miedo, Zacarías, pues ha sido escuchada tu oración. Tu esposa Elisabet te dará un hijo, y le pondrás por nombre Juan.
God has sent one of his angels. Later on in verse 19 we find out it is the angel Gabriel.
God’s revelation has once more come to his people.
God’s is about to bring redemption to humanity.
God is about to begin the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies that promised a glorious redeemer that would save his people from their sins.
The angel has come to announce the birth of a son.
God speaks clearly through his angel and declares that Elizabeth, though she is elderly, will bare a child and his name will be John.
John is such an appropriate name for it means: God is gracious. God is truly showing his grace to his people - he is showing his favor upon his people.
The angel has come to announce the birth of a special son.
The son that shall be born is described as:
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
LUke 1:14-
Tendrás gozo y alegría, y muchos se regocijarán por su nacimiento, porque él será un gran hombre delante del Señor. Jamás tomará vino ni licor, y será lleno del Espíritu Santo aun desde su nacimiento. Hará que muchos israelitas se vuelvan al Señor su Dios. Él irá primero, delante del Señor, con el espíritu y el poder de Elías, para reconciliar a los padres con los hijos y guiar a los desobedientes a la sabiduría de los justos. De este modo preparará un pueblo bien dispuesto para recibir al Señor.
He will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He will abstain from alcohol.
He shall be filled with God’s Spirit before he is born.
He will be the cause by which many people will return to the Lord.
He will be that great Elijah, that one who was prophesied by Malachi.
He will be that one who comes to reconcile parents to their children and children to their parents.
He will minister to prepare men and woman for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Zechariah was completely surprised and somewhat in disbelief.
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
—¿Cómo podré estar seguro de esto?—preguntó Zacarías al ángel—. Ya soy anciano y mi esposa también es de edad avanzada.
—Yo soy Gabriel y estoy a las órdenes de Dios—le contestó el ángel—. He sido enviado para hablar contigo y darte estas buenas noticias. Pero como no creíste en mis palabras, las cuales se cumplirán a su debido tiempo, te vas a quedar mudo. No podrás hablar hasta el día en que todo esto suceda.
Luke 1:
He doubts that God will be able to overcome their old age and sterility.
He is left in silence for doubting. He will not speak until the child is born.
Meanwhile the people outside the temple are worried that he has not come out to pronounce God’s blessing upon them.
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
How do you think that Elizabeth and Zechariah felt after receiving this absolutely wonderful news?
There are so many reasons why they would be filled with joy.
God has broken the 400 years of silence. Once more, God’s word had come to his people. God was on the move!
God has sent him who would prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. God will start restoring the most basic unit of society - the family - to prepare the way for the Lord.
God has promised to give them a child after a lifetime of childlessness. God has promised to give them a child just as he did with Abraham and Sarah.
Elizabeth knows God has lifted her disgrace.
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
«Esto—decía ella—es obra del Señor, que ahora ha mostrado su bondad al quitarme la vergüenza que yo tenía ante los demás.»
In the ancient world childlessness was a cause from much shame.
Women were considered to be deficient if they were not able to bare children.
Many saw the lack of children as a curse from God. We know that God open and closes the womb. …but for many people not having children was a sign of God’s judgement upon a people.
God was now granting them a child and Elizabeth felt vindicated. She felt that God was finally lifting her shame. She will no longer be known as the barren one, the childless Elizabeth. Soon she would have a son.
Nevertheless, this child was insufficient to deal with man’s true sickness.
John was be able to accomplish many things according to the promise given by the angel.
John would be a great man who would only be one that would prepare his people for the coming of the Lord, for the coming of the Messiah, for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John was not the light - he was preparing the way for the light of the world.
John was not the savior - he was preparing the people for the coming of the one that would die for the sins of his people.
John surely was a special child. He was a special man. He was the greatest of all the prophets - but at the end of the day that is all he was - a fallible, imperfect, insufficient man.
John would do many things but would not be able to do that which Jesus came to accomplish - to live a perfect life and die for the sins of his people.
John would be sent to reconcile parents to their children and children to their parents, but Jesus would come to reconcile a rebellious and wicked humanity to God himself.
The announcement of John’s birth serves to prepare us for an even greater birth announcement:
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:30-
—No tengas miedo, María; Dios te ha concedido su favor—le dijo el ángel—. Quedarás encinta y darás a luz un hijo, y le pondrás por nombre Jesús. Él será un gran hombre, y lo llamarán Hijo del Altísimo. Dios el Señor le dará el trono de su padre David, y reinará sobre el pueblo de Jacob para siempre. Su reinado no tendrá fin.
