The Birth of Jesus
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel was once again sent to take a message regarding another miraculous birth. Not to the Temple this time, nor even to Jerusalem, but to a village in Galilee, Nazareth, and to a young maid named Mary who was betrothed to be married. He greeted her; “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:28) The young girl was troubled at his words so he began again, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.” (Luke 1:30) He continued: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”” (Luke 1:31–33) Mary asked the obvious question – ‘how is this possible since I am still a virgin’. Gabriel then conveyed news that was both amazing and uplifting; “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) Gabriel referred to his visit to Zacharias to offer some measure of confirmation and comfort to Mary: “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”” (Luke 1:36–37) In this manner, Mary began her journey toward motherhood. |
| Mary and Elizabeth |
Mary, still recovering from her angelic encounter, decided to visit and stay with Elizabeth until the elderly couple’s son was delivered. Arriving at the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth in a town in the hill country of Judah this godly maid was greeted by the elderly, righteous Elizabeth, offering a word of encouragement: “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”” (Luke 1:45) Mary responded with her own peon of praise to the Lord – now universally known as ‘the Magnificat’ (Luke 1:46-55).
There was great rejoicing when Elizabeth finally delivered the promised son. It was customary on the eighth day after the birth to both circumcise the child and also to name him. Family and friends were insistent to call him Zacharias (from the root ‘the Lord remembers’) after his father. It would have been very appropriate. However, Elizabeth wanted him to be named ‘John’. When Zacharias concurred his debilities disappeared – and with his newly loosed tongue he voiced a most wonderful prophecy, rejoicing in the coming of the Saviour, but also spelling out the ministry of the new-born baby: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76–79)
But such a child, such a son, such a prophet, who was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb, will have to be educated and trained. Who could take on such a task? Not Zacharias! – Age will catch up with him. It will have to be God himself. When the training began we are not told, but we are informed: “… the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.” (Luke 1:80)
Mary returned home, now pregnant and, apart from Elizabeth and Zacharias, misunderstood. Joseph, who had not been there when the angel visited Mary had considered his options, and was about to separate from his beloved when he too received a message of reassurance – it came in a dream: “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:20–21) Did Joseph fully understand the magnitude of the event that was to take place? – it is doubtful! But Matthew, the biographer who gave us the information about Joseph was in no doubt: “So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”” (Matt. 1:22–23)
Paul wrote: “… not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” (1 Cor. 1:26). How true. It would appear that Elizabeth and Zacharias had little to commend them apart from being godly – as also, I would suggest, Mary and Joseph. God has no favourites. The disciples were mainly fishermen – however, they were committed and whole-hearted. God says of those that are godly (like Zacharias) – ‘I can work with them’ – of those that have faith (like Elizabeth) – ‘I can work with them’ – of those that are committed (like Joseph and the disciples) – ‘I can work with them’ – and of those who have faith, are godly and committed (like Mary) – ‘I can definitely work with them’.
More Next Time
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