The Angel Announces the Birth of Two Sons

INTRO

Welcome to the study of the Gospel of Luke, the third of the synoptic Gospels. Luke was a doctor who wrote this account for Theophilus, a Roman dignitary. Theophilus was possibly a believer from Caesar’s household who turned to Christ about AD 60-61. Luke probably wrote this from Rome during Paul’s imprisonment. Paul talked to Luke about his life, which Luke recorded in this Gospel.¹

Our phrase for the Gospel of Luke is Son of Man. We’ll be talking about Jesus’ humanity as we study Luke’s account. Jesus opened the table for all. We’ll see the rich, the poor, the sick, and the healthy. Jesus was not afraid to engage any one of them, but invited all to come to Him.

The characteristics of a physician include being smart and looking for the details. Luke brought these characteristics to his research and writing. He emphasized the details as he told the story. Luke is volume 1, which flows into Acts, which is volume 2. Luke tried to explain scenarios that the Gentiles didn’t understand about Jewish culture.

TEACHING

Luke 1:1-4: Luke dedicated his writing to Theophilus. He carefully investigated the events and wrote them in an orderly sequence so his reader could understand why he believed what he believed.

Luke 1:5-25: Gabriel predicted to Zechariah and Elizabeth the birth of their son, John the Baptist. The angel was sent from the Lord to explain that John the Baptist’s role would be to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. This event was the backdrop for Mary to receive her message from the angel. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son was considered miraculous because they were beyond the age of childbearing. This event was in preparation for another miracle. For five months, Elizabeth kept herself in seclusion.

Luke 1:26: In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth. Nazareth was a small town about 70 miles north of Jerusalem. The town held a low reputation and is not mentioned in the Old Testament. When Philip later told his brother Nathanael that he had found the Messiah, who was the son of Joseph from Nazareth, Nathanael responded by asking if anything good could come out of Nazareth (John 1:43-46). That was the mentality about this town.

Luke 1:27: An angel appeared to a virgin named Mary, who was engaged to Joseph from the house of David. A virgin has not had sexual relations, so Mary had not had relations with Joseph. We don’t often consider the magnitude of being engaged during that time. The engagement was legit (legally binding), and Mary was already committed, or “married,” to Joseph. The key point is that Joseph was listed as from the house of David. In 2 Samuel 7:12-16, God told David that He would establish David’s kingdom and throne forever. The Jews knew that the Messiah would come through the lineage of David.

Luke 1:28: The angel addressed Mary as “favored woman.” In that period of time, women were not viewed very highly or allowed to have a prominent role. God chose this virgin named Mary, to bring about the birth of the Messiah. We have to wonder if the women of that time thought about the possibility of being the mother of the Messiah.

Luke 1:29: Mary was deeply troubled by the angel’s statement. Gabriel told her to rejoice before telling her why.

Luke 1:30: The angel told Mary not to be afraid for she had found favor with God. Twice, Mary was told she had found favor with God. Keep in mind that even though she was a virgin, she was still a sinner, not because of sexual sin but because no one is perfect. Yes, she was chosen as the mother of the Messiah, but that doesn’t mean we worship her. God chose her to be the vessel to bring about the coming Messiah.

Luke 1:31: The angel told Mary, “You will conceive and give birth to a son and you will call His name Jesus.” Yeshua means, “Lord is Salvation.” This would fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, “The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”

Luke 1:32: Gabriel provided more descriptions of who Jesus would be and emphasized that God would give Him the throne of His father David. Again, fulfillment of prophecy (2 Samuel 7:12-16) was revealed.

Luke 1:33: Gabriel said Jesus would reign over the house of Jacob forever. The prophecies of the Pentateuch are fulfilled in Jesus. Daniel 2:44 said this kingdom would never be destroyed but would endure forever.

Luke 1:34: Mary asked, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?” Luke covered the practicalities. Mary was pure, so how could she conceive a child?

Luke 1:35: Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her. Throughout Luke’s writings, the role of the Holy Spirit was emphasized. He began by describing the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ birth.

Luke 1:36: Gabriel then gave Mary a sign, “Consider your relative Elizabeth who conceived a child in her old age and is now in her sixth month.”

Luke 1:37: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Gabriel emphasized the prophecies of the Messiah would be fulfilled in Mary. This statement of God’s power and ability was repeated in Matthew 19:26, when Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27 recorded the same statement. Your impossible situations may involve your marriage, kids, finances, school situations or friends. When left up to us, nothing will happen. But with God, all things are possible as long as it aligns with the Word of God. In America, believers constantly try to do things in our own strength. In reality, we need to give God room to work in our lives. God wants to work through us, but many times we just don’t want to come to the table.

The prophet Jeremiah also said, “Nothing is too difficult for You” (Jeremiah 32:17). After Jeremiah recounted the wonders God had done to bring Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, God confirmed, “I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). Give the difficult situations in your life to God and trust Him to show up. Pray, “Help my unbelief. Lord, please show us how big You are.”

Luke 1:38: Mary demonstrated how to respond, when God asks us to do the impossible. Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your Word.” Mary wanted to do what God wanted in her life based on what the Scripture said. Then, the angel left her.

CLOSING

Verse after verse in Scripture talks about how big God is and how He does the impossible. It’s like God delights in parting the Red Sea, opening the Jordan River so millions walk through, and turning water to wine. These events show people didn’t do the impossible, God did.

Once you’re promised the impossible, respond by saying, “I’m in.” Then God will get the glory.