Walking With Jesus - Volume 01 - Lesson 005

LOC – 005 – The Annunciation to Mary and Visit to Elizabeth
Lesson Objectives:

Angels are real.
God’s way is not always the same as man’s way.
Sex outside of marriage is wrong!
Marriage is an institution ordained by God.
Nothing is impossible with God.
God keeps His word!

Lesson Commentary

Read Luke 1:26-56

This event takes place somewhere 4-6 B.C. — Our dating system that was computed around 532 A.D. missed 4-5 years in computing the actual birth year of Jesus. By the time the error was discovered, it was determined that it would be too difficult to change all of the calendars, so it has been left as it is to this day. We are looking at the humanity, the life of Jesus. As a Greek (Gentile) ask yourself, “Who is this man?” In lesson 002, we looked at the lineage in Matthew through Joseph and in Luke through Mary. In the last lesson, we looked at the annunciation to Zechariah that he and Elizabeth were going to be the parents of John the Baptist who is a fore-teller that the Messiah is coming. Now a young woman named Mary is about to receive a very special visit from an angel. That’s two angelic visitations in about six months! This is quite a change from the four hundred years of silence. It sounds exciting! Let’s look into “Walking With Jesus.”
Something is Coming — Something is about to happen!

Lk. 1:26 – It is a typical day in Nazareth. In Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy, an angel stops by to talk to a young girl named Mary. Mary, probably only 15 or 16 years old, is working around the house taking life for granted as most of us do. She’s engaged to a man named Joseph, so she is probably much absorbed in wedding plans and preparing for married life and wondering when he is going to come and take her to be his wife. God is not willing for His Son to be raised in a single parent home. She will soon be married and Jesus will have an earthly father.

(Basilica of the Annunciation where the angel appeared to Mary to announce that she is to be the mother of the Messiah.) Photo courtesy of Glen & Sylvia Copple


Lk. 1:27 – The Greek word, “parthenon”, means she is a “virgin,” one who has never had sexual relations. She is a descendant of the house of David, which qualifies her as royalty, even though she is poor. Luke reminds us of the lineage of Joseph (likewise of the house of David) to establish the lineage of Jesus. To be betrothed is a much stronger bond than what we know as being engaged. It is almost the same as being married, but not yet living together or having sexual relations. A betrothal can last up to a year and it can only be broken by a divorce.

Lk. 1:28 – Suddenly, an angel appears and says, “Greetings, You are highly favored. The Lord is with you.” The actual Greek says, “Grace, O favored one. The Lord is with you.” The grace of God is being bestowed on Mary because God has a special purpose for her. Mary does not consider herself a “favored one,” so this greeting is also a strong statement of her value in the eyes of God. She is just a simple Jewish girl living in Nazareth, thinking and doing what any girl her age is thinking and doing. That God is with her is a most reassuring comment, considering the unusual phenomenon that is occurring. How would you feel if you were working around the house or watching television and an angel appeared and said, “Grace to you, you are favored by God?

Lk. 1:29 – What is going through Mary’s mind? The Bible says she is afraid – When was the last time that an angel greeted you? How often does such a phenomenon occur? The Bible says that angels are working all around us, but seldom, if ever, are we actually “visited by an angel.”

Lk. 1:30 – For Mary to “find favor (the Greek word is “charos” which means “grace”) with God” is a very special comment. Whoever she is and whatever she has done, God is well pleased with her! This speaks volumes about Mary’s character. Imagine that God trusts her to be the mother (and her fiancé, Joseph, to be the earthly father) of His only Son.

Lk. 1:31 – The angel explains to Mary that she will become pregnant. She is told that she is going to have a baby boy (long before ultrasound would tell her) and she is to give Him the name, Jesus.

Lk. 1:32 – The angel said that the father of this child is the Holy Spirit. The baby, Jesus, will be the Son of God. What does that mean – “Son of God?” Many others had claimed to be the “Messiah.” Jesus will be the real thing. “Not a want-a-be.”
Five things are said of Jesus in the Luke 1:32-33.

1. He will be great.
2. He will be the Son of the Most High. This will not escape Mary’s understanding. The angel is telling her that He will be equal to, and carry the qualities of Yahweh, GOD. Her child will be God in a human body.
3. He will be given the throne of His father, David. Jesus will reign forever in the millennium kingdom of David.
4. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His reign will be for eternity.
5. His kingdom is spiritual and unending.

Lk. 1:33 – His kingdom will never end. The Church has survived persecution from all kinds of sources and governments for over two thousand years. But none have been successful in overcoming it. The Church will never be destroyed. Even today, Christians are persecuted and murdered because of their faith. Where persecution is rampant, the Church thrives.

Lk. 1:34 – Mary questions the angel because she isn’t married. She is stating that she is a virgin. She doesn’t doubt the angel, as Zechariah did. She only asks how this is going to be accomplished. I wonder what this young Jewish maiden is thinking? Let's see if we can read her mind.

“I’m going to what? Have a baby? What do you mean ‘Son of the most High?’ Are you trying to tell me that a poor Jewish girl is going to be the mother of our King?” “Kings are born in palaces to the rich and famous, not to poor “peasants” like me. And besides, how can this be, I’m not even married.” The penalty for adultery was stoning (Leviticus 20:10). Anxiety runs through her veins. What is going through her mind?

Lk. 1:35 – The angel assures Mary that the Holy Spirit can accomplish her conception without the involvement of a man. What God can do is simply beyond our comprehension.

Elizabeth’s Good News

Lk. 1:36 – The angel informs Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth is six months pregnant. (With this information, we see that Jesus and John the Baptist are second cousins, and probably only six months apart in age.)

Lk. 1:37“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!” What more can we say? He writes the rules and He can set them aside temporarily or overwrite them at His discretion.

Lk. 1:38 – “Okay, if you say so, so be it.” – Mary trusts the angel without any further question. Think about the potential ridicule she is risking in trusting the angel and allowing herself to become pregnant before she is married. She risks her marriage and reputation to submit to the will of God. Are you as willing to trust God with your life?
(Probable route that Mary took from Nazareth to Ein Kerem)

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Lk. 1:39 – Mary, hearing that her cousin who was barren is now pregnant, decides to go and visit her. At this moment, there it is unlikely that there is anyone that Mary can talk to who would understand what she has just experienced except her cousin, Elizabeth, and she needs someone that she can talk to! What would you do if you were Mary and had just been told you are going to have a child whose father is God? This is not a short hop down the block, but probably a two or three day’s journey to a town in the hill country of Judea. Elizabeth is about the only person she can talk to about her situation who will be open to understanding what is happening.

Lk. 1:40 – Mary lives in Nazareth, just northwest of the Sea of Galilee. We are uncertain, but some believe that Elizabeth lives in the “hill country” (Cf. Luke 1:39), a distance of about sixty miles (in a straight line.) It is very hilly terrain from Nazareth, down to the Jordan River and then back up towards Jerusalem to Elizabeth and Zechariah's home. Assuming that she can cover twenty miles per day on foot, it will be a three to five days journey to get there. It is also a risky journey for a young, unaccompanied (pregnant?) woman. Part of it will likely be up the Jericho Road that is known for thieves and criminals.

Elizabeth (and John the Baptist) Greet Mary

Lk. 1:41 – Elizabeth’s unborn baby, John, responds in a dynamic way when he hears Mary’s greeting to Elizabeth. He knows that the Spirit of God is mightily involved in this event. Reference Luke 1:15

Lk. 1:42 – Elizabeth is moved, by her baby’s reaction, to praise God in a loud voice and bless Mary because of what the Holy Spirit has revealed in her. Elizabeth didn’t even know that Mary was coming. Therefore, she most likely does not know the nature of Mary’s visit except as the Lord has chosen to reveal it to her. Prior to this moment she does not know that Mary is pregnant with God’s own Son.

Lk. 1:43 – What does Elizabeth know from the Lord, and what is she told by Mary? They don’t have telephones, newspapers, radio or television to send the word ahead. However, she immediately knows via the Holy Spirit’s revelation that Mary has been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah.

Lk. 1:44 – John also knows of Mary’s joy. This is an indication that he is filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. Mothers, has the kicking of your child ever revealed a “special” message to you?

Lk. 1:45 – Mary is blessed because she has acted in faithful obedience to God’s instructions. We too are blessed when we act in faithful obedience to God.

Mary’s Magnificat

Lk. 1:46 – Mary’s response is to praise God. What she sees and hears from Elizabeth blesses her and she expands on it even more. If she had any doubts, this is a real encouragement to her. She is also overjoyed in her love for God. If she thought highly of God before, she does even more so now. This is an outward expression of an inward feeling. How do you feel about God?

Lk. 1:47 – Are soul and spirit parallel or different? Hebrew poetic style is to say something and then repeat it in different words. Like being redundant with each phrase of the poem.

(Note—Mary is called “blessed,” not “Savior.” God (Jesus) is our Savior. Salvation and grace are on those who fear God, (not Mary). She calls God (Jesus) her Savior, but she is not yet aware of the cross and the resurrection and God’s plan for the forgiveness of sin.)

Lk. 1:48 – Mary does have some understanding that what is happening to her is awesome, and of great significance. However, she does not know what is yet to come. She is indeed blessed, but she is not to be the object of worship. She is not God. She is only the person whom God is using to generate a body for His Son to inhabit while on earth.

Lk. 1:49 –Mary recognizes that, by human terms, she isn’t as worthy of this honor as most other women might be. Yet God has chosen her for His divine birth. Her greatest response is to praise His name. Her humility shows that she is not to be exalted.

Lk. 1:50 – God does not regard political, social or financial status important in His kingdom or in the life of His only Son. Often He has honored the humble and humbled the haughty. The source of favor with God is to fear Him and keep His commandments (see Ecclesiastics 12:13-14).

Lk. 1:51 – The most immediate mighty deed of God is what Elizabeth and Mary are experiencing at this very moment in their lives. God’s presence is being manifested to them in a very powerful way. Can you imagine the emotions they are experiencing?

Lk. 1:52 – Mankind has a tendency to put its trust in rulers. God can bring a ruler down in the blink of an eye. He can build up someone who is humble and lowly just as quickly.

Lk. 1:53 – Mary is recognizing her status as poor in comparison to the religious and political leaders of her day who are wealthy. Financial or social status means nothing in our relationship to God.

Lk. 1:54God keeps His word to Abraham (compare Genesis 12:1-3). Two thousand years later, Jesus is the final fulfillment of that promise. He will bring salvation to all nations, not just the Jews. We will eventually learn that most Jews are looking for deliverance from Rome, not from sin.

Lk. 1:55 – God had promised Abraham four things: 1. a son, 2. a great nation, 3. possession of a land, 4. and that through his seed all nations will be blessed. Abraham lived to see only the first promise. Could you trust and believe God to accomplish such a promise to you?

Lk. 1:56 – Mary stays about three months, which would be the time for Elizabeth to deliver. Was Mary there for John’s birth? This text also suggests that when she returns home, she will already be three months pregnant with God’s Son.

Something exciting is coming! What does this all mean? Remember that Mary, Elizabeth and those around them don’t know the end of the story like you and I do.

Next Week — Mary still has to address the issue with her fiancé, Joseph. How is he going to react when he finds out she is pregnant? Come back next week as we continue an adventure into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Read Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:57-80.

“Walking With Jesus”

Lesson Commentary

LOC – 005A Virgin Will Have a Child!
How to Fulfill God’s Purpose in Your Life

Sometimes it seems that everyone is talking about having a baby. Since that is where life begins, that is an appropriate place to begin “Walking With Jesus.”

Women, especially like to talk about having babies. I believe that God made them that way for a very important reason. Recent headline commented on how women prefer homemaking and raising children to working out of the home. Let’s go to Luke 1:26-56 and look into the life of a young Jewish girl who is soon going to be a mother! Me, I’m just a guy talking about something that many women might understand better that I do. Even so, let’s see if we can get a glimpse into this very significant event in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. This takes place about 4-5 B.C. – our dating system was computed around 532 A.D. and they later realized that they missed the birth of Jesus by 3-5 years.

God has Called YOU! - Luke 1:26-27

Mary is a typical teenage Jewish girl who is just doing her daily whatever, when Gabriel comes calling. I wonder if she is thinking about her wedding plans and what it will be like to be married to Joseph! The Bible makes it importantly clear that she is a virgin who is engaged, which is a mark of honor for an unmarried girl! Saving sex until marriage is important to God! Also, Mary is not going to be allowed to raise God’s Son alone. Children grow up healthier in many ways when they have both their original father and original mother together in the home!

Gabriel has a knack of entering without knocking, but at least he always brings good news! Again, Gabriel says “Don’t be afraid, after it is too late!”Finding favor with God is a strong reference to her moral and spiritual character – Would you like to know that you have found favor with God? There are two things that are very important to remember about Mary and about your life. 1. It doesn’t matter where you are from. 2. It doesn’t matter what your background is.God has called you for a special purpose and He can accomplish His will in your life if you are willing to submit to Him.

Everyone Has Doubts!- Luke 1:29-38

Mary is alarmed at becoming pregnant because she is not married. She has moral values that are much needed today! You don’t have sex with someone you are not married to!Gabriel assures Mary that this is God’s doing! Like John the Baptist, Jesus will be a male. He will be healthy and will perform a great work for God! He will be a KING! What greater news could parents to be want to hear about their baby?

Every calling has a cost.Mary is risking public ridicule and death by stoning in order to be obedient to God. Every calling from God is bigger than our selves.Mary couldn’t get pregnant (without a man) without God doing it. At this point, she believes the words of this angel.She has no proof or other evidence of this being from God than the angel’s words. Every calling requires submission (faith). Mary trusted the angel’s words more than Zechariah did.

Mary’s response to the angel’s message is “Okay!” She trusts the angel, Gabriel, and doesn’t even ask for a sign to verify it like someone else we know! Would you be able to trust God with your life like Mary did? Gabriel also tells Mary about Elizabeth’s pregnancy. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! Mary and Elizabeth are cousins, even though they are many years apart in age. That will make Jesus and John second cousins!

God is Glorified by Your Obedience!- Luke 1:39-56

Mary goes to visit to Elizabeth. She could probably be afraid of what the community might say. Maybe she is afraid to face Joseph with this development! Maybe she simply needs someone who she can talk to that will understand the special nature of what is happening! Wouldn’t you need someone to talk to if you were suddenly impregnated by the Holy Spirit and yet engaged to a wonderful man? This is a journey of 50 plus miles that possibly included a trek up the (dangerous) Jericho road by a single teenage girl with no escort! That would not be a whole lot different than a teenage girl walking unescorted through some neighborhoods in some of our cities!

Others Confirm God’s Blessing.Elizabeth and Mary exchange greetings. Elizabeth has no previous warning of Mary’s coming or of her being pregnant, yet the Holy Spirit stirs her in such a way that she knows! She greets Mary with a proclamation and blessing that only the Holy Spirit could have revealed to her. She proclaims how God has blessed someone as insignificant as Mary to be the mother of the Messiah. Have you ever felt that God was revealing something to you about someone or a situation that you had no prior knowledge of? If not, might it be that you need to work in building a closer relationship with God so the He can speak to you through His Spirit when He needs to do so? If you are truly serving God with your life, people will recognize your gift.

Mary praises God.Mary shows her love for God, her faith in Him and her commitment to trust Him in her life by responding to Elizabeth’s proclamation with a declaration of her own. She glorifies God because He has trusted her for a very special purpose. She is impressed on how God has disregarded the leaders and chosen someone of unknown and lowly status to bring His Savior into the world. Would you be as willing to risk the public scrutiny and be trust God to guide and protect you in doing something as unknown as having a child by the Holy Spirit when you were already engaged to a wonderful man? Your recognition of God grows when you serve.

CONCLUSION

God has a job for youto do and He has confidence that you can do it. Will you be obedient to God’s calling? Ask God to show you what He wants you to do with your life and then trust Him to do it through you.

NEXT WEEK:We are going to look into knowing how to recognize when God is speaking to you.

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