The incarnation of Jesus Luke 1:26-56

to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:17 "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, Luke 1:26-27 “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.”

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: Matthew 1:18-25 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 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.’

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."

And he called His name JESUS.” “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.”

Three stages to a Jewish wedding Engagement (a formal agreement made by the fathers) Betrothal (the ceremony where mutual promises were made) Marriage (approximately one year later, when the bridegroom came for his bride at an unexpected time)

“And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, Luke 1:28-30 “And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ‎ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ‎ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ‎

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. Luke 1:31-33 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. ‎ He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

And the Lord God will give to 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.”

The Humanity of Jesus: - He was conceived in Mary’s womb - He was formed and knit together in His mother’s womb - He was birthed a baby son

The Deity and Mission of Jesus as Savior - He shall be called JESUS, “Jehovah is the Savior” - He will be great, as a person and in His works - He will be called the Son of the Most High

- He will receive the Throne of His father David from His Father on High - He will reign over the house of Jacob, forever and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

“’And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ Luke 1:34-38 “’And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;

“therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ‎ For nothing will be impossible with God.”

let it be to me according to your word.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

“To Mary’s problem of “HOW?” – it seemed impossible to human reckoning- God’s answer is “the Holy Spirit”. MacDonald

·      Jesus lives within the believer spiritually, as He did in Mary physically ·      Jesus lives within us spiritually by His word, as He did in Mary physically ·      Jesus is made visible to the world through us, as He was through Mary physically David Guzik

Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ‎ Luke 1:39-45 “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ‎ And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. ‎

blessed is the fruit of your womb! And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’

"It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, John 1:27 "It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.“ John the Baptist

“Note, While we cannot but own that we are more favoured of God than we deserve, let us by no means envy that others are more highly favoured than we are.” Matthew Henry

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a Luke 1:44-45 ‎ “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

“My soul magnifies the Lord, ‎and my spirit rejoices in Luke 1:46-49 “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.

‎for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; ‎for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His name.” Mary opens her song with all that God has done for her and …

“Mary, then, lovely as she was; beautiful in character, perhaps beyond any other young woman of her day, yet realized that in herself she was a sinner who needed a Saviour, and she found that Saviour in God Himself.

She took no credit to herself for any extraordinary righteousness that lifted her above other people, but she went on to acknowledge, “He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden.” Realizing that everything was of grace, she could rejoice in the loving-kindness shown her.” H. A. Ironside

“And His mercy is for those who fear Him from Luke 1:50-55 “And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation. ‎ He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.

He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His offspring forever.’ And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.’”

“And Mary remained with her about three months and Luke 1:56 “And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.”

May the Lord richly bless you and keep you, all of your days.