A CHILD IS BORN
Luke 1:30-33
INTRO. I never cease to be amazed by those so-called "scholars" who are continually trying to find errors or contradictions with the flawless Word of God. Jesus prayed, "Thy Word is truth." My grand-dad used to say, "The best part of telling the truth is that you don’t have to remember what you said." So it is with the Bible. Most of the Bible follows a simple rule of order -- prophecy, fulfillment, recollection. First, God says a thing will be done. Then He does it. Then He reminds us that He has done it. And in the process He perfectly executes His divine will ... to the letter. This could not be more beautifully illustrated than in the birth of Jesus.
Now obviously, Joseph and Mary did not have access to the modern technology that we have today. If they had, perhaps they would have happily mailed out announcements of this blessed event to all their friends and relatives....And perhaps it would look something like the one you have.
I. HIS MOTHER.
A. (Isa. 7:14) - "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call him name Immanuel."
B. Despite what many will say, it could not have been just any virgin.
1. She had to be as pure of heart as she was pure of body.
2. She had to be from the tribe of Judah.
3. She had to be from the family of David.
C. God waited for the right time, the right circumstances, and the right girl. He knew exactly what He was doing in the perfect fulfillment of His own ancient prophecy.
II. HIS FATHER.
A. vs. 32 - "Son of the Highest"
1. cf.. Vs 35 - "Power of the Highest"
2. Masculine gender, in the Greek, meaning, literally -- the Highest One...Having reference to God. This is why the NIV translates this as "the Most High". Which also explains what is meant by the last phrase in vers 35 (Son of God).
B. It is very important that we recognize and understand that Jesus did not have an earthly biological father.
1. Isaiah 9:6 -- "a child is born" -- this to His mother
"A son is given" -- this from His father.
2. The debate over Jesus’ father has deep theological implications.
3. The Life is in The Blood.
It is now definitely known that the blood which flows in an unborn babe’s arteries and veins is not derived from the mother but is produced within the body of the fetus. Yet it is only after the father’s seed has entered the egg and a fetus begins to develop that blood appears. Within a few hours after conception, the embryo begins to visibly develop. In a little while red streaks occur, denoting the presence of BLOOD. And life is in the blood according to Scripture, for Moses says: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Lev. 17:11).
It is unnecessary that a single drop of blood be given to the developing embryo in the womb of the mother. The mother provides the fetus with the nutritive elements for the building of that little body, but all the blood which forms in it is formed in the embryo itself. From the time of conception to the time of birth of the infant NOT ONE SINGLE DROP OF BLOOD ever passes from mother to child.
4. (vs. 35) - "the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee" Conception by the Holy Ghost was the only way the virgin birth could be accomplished. Mary nourished the body of Jesus and He became the seed of David according to the flesh. The Holy Spirit contributed the blood of Jesus. It is sinless blood. It is divine blood. It is precious blood, for there has never been any other like it.
III. HIS NAME.
A. I count 206 different names for Jesus in the Bible.
B. Notice the names mentioned in the announcements of the angel to Mary and Joseph.
1. Jesus -- the Greek word for the Hebrew name Joshua (Je-hoshua, means Jehovah-Saviour).
2. Son of God [vs. 35] -- Son of the Creator; Son of the Almighty; Son of the Everlasting One.
3. (Matt. 1:23) - Immanuel -- Imagine the Counsel meeting in Heaven before time began. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are mapping out their plan for the ages when they come to the point of the incarnation. "What shall He be named?" When an angel walks in and humbly suggests that the Son be named after His Father...Immanuel.
IV. HIS THRONE.
A. "Of His father David"
1. Note lineage in Matt. 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38. See that both Mary and Joseph are from the royal family of King David.
2. Note that in Genesis 49:10 Jacob prophesies that the family of Judah shall sit on the throne of Israel until Christ Himself comes.
3. Note the promises made to David concerning his throne in II Samuel 7:16.
A. "House" = posterity; family
B. "Throne" = royal authority
C. "Kingdom" = sphere of rule
D. Perpetuity = "for ever"
4. Cross reference these with the announcement made by the angel in Luke 1:32-33.
V. HIS KINGDOM.
A. See the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 15:5-6.
B. All of the blessings promised by God to Abraham and his family will be consumated in Jesus Christ. While the promise of His throne was more physical. The promise of His kingdom is more spiritual.
C. See Isa. 9:7
VI. HIS PURPOSE.
A. Matt. 1:18-21
B. Read Luke 2:25-38
CONCLU. Do you see just how perfectly God worked out His plan? What a wonderful, awe inspiring Lord we serve. How can anyone not be humbled at the marvelous story of Christ come to man?
