What mystery there is here! In Mary’s song, we learned that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary (1:26-27) with the message that she would bear a Son whom she was to call Jesus (1:31). Here is some of what the Bible says about Mary, the mother of Jesus: Mary was a godly vessel that God could use. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Thus far in this orderly account that Dr. Luke has researched and compiled for us, we have seen the angel Gabriel bring one woman great joy with the news that, in her barrenness and old age, she would have a baby. Is this not exactly what we need in order to be reconciled to God? In our ongoing series of devotional studies in the Gospel of Luke, we come now to the record of what is perhaps the most amazing miracle imaginable. 1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most … He can cause the unemployed to be employed, and those at enmity to be reconciled. Praying through Luke 1:63 Heavenly Father, thank You for the many insights we have into the life of Zacharias, Elizabeth and the birth of John, their firstborn son. She is not to be prayed to as if she can intercede or mediate for sinners, for there is only one meediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Thank You for his lovely testimony to Your faithfulness and grace and we praise You for the word of truth, that leads and guides us during our sojourn on earth. He is absolutely unique! 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. Luke 1 speaks much of this willing woman servant God used mightily. Mary, Jesus’ mother, is indeed a special woman that God has used, just like He wishes to use every one of us that is obedient to His will and way. But we must appreciate the power and the work of the Holy Spirit specifically in this mystery. So, this all-wise God, according to His agenda, came into Mary’s life with news about a baby that she would bear. She humbly accepted what God allowed her to go through. And the angel departed from her. We can live in a broken world, but because of God’s gracious dealings with us as we hear the gospel and as faith is created by grace in our hearts, we can latch by faith to this great Christ, whose kingdom will never end. She was quite ordinary. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And so let me remind you that we are dealing here with a historical record as I ask you to turn your attention to Luke 1. Let us move our attention from the creature Mary to the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. Continue on below and begin with the most recent installment to the Luke devotional.. "Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." I am referring, of course, to the divine implanting of a foetus in the womb of a virgin. 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. It was hard to get my head around this change in events. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. For this purpose, God chose Mary, not because of anything special about her, but simply because He needed a vessel, a woman, to give birth to the Messiah. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. — Luke 1:76-79. 57 ¶ Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. She was from the lineage of King David, which was … 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, John would be great before the Lord (v. 15), but Jesus would be great—full stop. Copyright © 2021 Daily View New Testament Devotions. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? Luke 1:46-55 (CHRISTMAS Devotion) MARY'S SONG OF PRAISE: THE MAGNIFICAT - "And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. Luke 1:23-25, 39-45: 2019-12-14 Three Strikes But Not Out: Joshua 2:1 … This is truly an incredible account! Third, part of His greatness would lie in His humility. 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 2:1-3: Jan. 25th: David's Village: Luke 2:4-5: Jan. 26th: The Right Time Came: Luke 2:6-7: ... Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus. There was nothing special about Mary. But Elizabeth’s circumstances had put a smile on her face, and a deep sense of relief. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. The glory of God had left the Temple and for centuries the voice of the prophet had been silenced in Israel. She was obedient in relations with men. 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; But before we do that, note one further devotional lesson here with reference to Mary: Is it not amazing that God was willing to give to Mary the sign; namely, that her relative Elizabeth, that barren woman who was beyond childbearing age, was already six months pregnant! 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, The most powerful speaker to ever live. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” ‭Luke‬ ‭1:38‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Explore: This Christmas I will be 34 weeks pregnant. Per current regulation, Sunday services are currently only live-streamed. He would be born in humble circumstances and would grow as a child into adulthood under the authority of His earthly parents. Besides her age (13), her marital status (single, but engaged), and her social significance (a mere teenager in a place like Nazareth), the most important fact about her is that she was a virgin. God is involved with us; nothing is impossible with God. 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. Today’s Thought:  That is who Jesus Christ is! 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Fourth, He would be the Son of the Most High—He was the God-Man—both the Son of Man and the Son of God. And everyone went to their own town to register. They would be thrilled with it, and would take His very name—Christ—to apply to themselves. First, His name would be “Jesus” (“God saves”) because He would save His people from their sins. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. She was not the dispenser of grace, but the recipient of grace. There is a section of the Christian church whose teaching actually makes it less than Christian. This time, it was a young girl, a nobody in a nothing town in the middle of nowhere! Angels as Messengers Devotional Luke 1:5–38 Interest in angels is at an all-time high in our culture, and many people long to have an encounter with them. This woman, Elizabeth, was now six months pregnant, and her husband (Zechariah) had been unable to speak a word to her in all this time. He has the ministry of elevating Christ Jesus and taking what He did and applying it to us. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. His action in her life was inconvenient (and somewhat embarrassing), but this was part of His all-wise and righteous, gracious plan. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. This is radically different from the Hindu concept of incarnation, which says the gods enter history repeatedly in different forms. 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, There is no in-person service. The sacred text tells us in v. 35 that the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, the power of the Most High overshadowed her, and she conceived the baby Jesus in her womb. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. Luke 1:76-79: Jan. 23rd: Spirit Made: Luke 1:80: Jan. 24th: Historical Reality! Where the sacred text seems to go out of its way to keep the emphasis on God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), Roman Catholics go out of their way to put the emphasis on Mary (the creature). Luke 1:1-4 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Introduction 1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled [ a ] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eye witnesses and servants of the word. God broke into her world uninvited, and it is amazing that He did so, because there was nothing remarkable or unusual about her. ... Scripture: Luke 1:67–79. He would be the greatness of God incarnate. Today's Devotion; ... Luke 1:26-38: 2019-12-22 Why Me? February 1, 2012 — by David C. McCasland. She did not think highly of herself (Luke 1:48). (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. Do we not need a man, who can identify with sinners, but who Himself is without sin? The virgin’s name was Mary. She intended to marry a godly, obedient, hard-working man. She will carry in her body the Savior of the world, the King all of Israel has been waiting for. Did Jesus rise again for our justification? God was going to use her child, Jesus (Luke 1:32, 35). But let us move from the lesser to the greater.