Worth the Wait: Advent Scripture Readings and Devotion for December 13

            As we proceed in our preparation for Christmas, our Advent readings for today speak of a highway, a “way of holiness.” What a beautiful description of the path to be followed on our journey of faith. This passageway begins in the desert of decay and death, proceeds into lush pastures, and eventually, to Zion and the Promised Land. As we study these passages, be open to revelations about the restoration of Israel, the restoration of a paralyzed man, and our restoration!
 

Isaiah 35:1-10
 

            The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, ² it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. ³ Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; ⁴ say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” ⁵ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. ⁶ Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. ⁷ The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. ⁸ And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. ⁹ No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, ¹⁰ and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

            Let’s begin by pealing back the layers of Isaiah 35. Judah had strayed from God. They claimed the privilege of being God’s people, but lived as if God did not exist. They offered empty rituals instead of heartfelt worship. What was once a delight had become a duty. What’s more, they plotted with foreign nations, and lived as an unfaithful spouse. So, God’s judgment had fallen and in 586 BC they were exiled to Babylon. But, God’s punishment is not just punitive, it is restorative. Isaiah 35 is a beautiful example of God’s desire to bring restoration and redemption.

 

            In verses 1 and 2, the image is of life coming from death. The desert, parched land and wilderness will alternatively be glad, rejoice greatly and blossom, like the crocus. What had been dry and lifeless will be transformed into new life. God would restore His people. Even the land between Babylon and Judah, the path that they must walk to return to their home, was reborn into a verdant and hospitable garden much like the fabled forests of Lebanon, and the flourishing vegetation of Carmel and Sharon. New life was coming, but to experience this new life and restoration to its fullest, a journey had to be taken.

            Verses 3 and 4 mark a change of tone. Many of the remnant of Judah are fearful and frail. They are reluctant to take the journey back to Zion. Encouragement is needed to strengthen the weak hands and steady the wobbly knees. Isaiah offers them the good news. “Say to those with fearful hearts, be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you” (vs. 4). Adding to this convincing message, in verses 5 and 6, is the fact that the weakest will be the most blessed. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap like a deer and the mute will sing for joy!  This transformation will be so great that streams will gush in the barren desert, pools will form, and the thirsty ground will give way to bubbling springs. Where grass once grew, tall reeds will be their replacement. God was bringing dramatic transformation, restoration and new life!

 

            God will call His people on a journey, much like the Exodus. They will travel on a highway, called the way of holiness. It is to be utilized only by those on the “Way.” The unrighteous and the predator will not be found on the way of holiness. Only the ones the Lord has “redeemed” and “rescued” will walk there. This is the language of the Exodus, when God “redeemed” His people from the bondage of Egypt and Pharaoh. At the end of their journey, just like the Exodus, “They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (vs. 10).

            Surely, Isaiah spoke of the restoration of Judah which transpired beginning in 539 BC. But, it is unmistakable that he was also writing about the coming of Jesus to restore mankind and to offer new life. The remnant of Judah was called to take a journey back to Zion. Jesus calls us to a journey that will lead to the Heavenly Zion (Hebrews 12:22). Will the path lead us through verdant and fruitful lands. John 10:10 quotes Jesus as saying, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (or more abundantly).” For the weak and fearful ones of Judah to go on the journey, they will need to be strengthened by hearing the good news that God has come to save them? In the New Testament, lost people need to hear the good news that Jesus has come to save them! Paul wrote that, “…faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17). When Isaiah speaks of miracles taking place, like the lame man leaping as a deer, as we will see in our Gospel reading, it is Jesus who fulfills this prophecy! Isaiah tells the people that there is a highway, the Way of holiness.  Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Only those in Christ will be on the Way of holiness! Isaiah said that there would be no unrighteous or ravenous beast on this path. In other words, there will be no threat to kill or rob us of our faith. Jesus said in John 10:27-29, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” Isaiah speaks of rivers and pools in the desert. Jesus came to give us “living water” (John 4:10, 7:38, Revelation 7:17). Isaiah spoke of the people arriving in Zion with singing and rejoicing. The parallel with Revelation 4 and 21 is striking. In chapter 4, the 24 elders surround the throne, wearing crowns and singing to the Lord. In chapter 21 we read that God will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death, mourning or pain. Our destiny is not an earthly Zion, but the Heavenly Zion and the Temple of God where we will join that throng of worshipers around the throne for all of eternity! Now that is cause for rejoicing!

 

Psalm 85:4, 9-13

            Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. 12 The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

 

            In our Psalm passage, the author cries out for restoration! God’s displeasure leads to righteous judgment, such as was experienced when Judah was sent into exile. The psalmist cries out for mercy and grace. What was needed was a return to the fear of the Lord. With a proper disposition toward God, salvation and restoration was very near. Salvation would mean restoration to the land      God had promised and through this reconstitution, God would be glorified. Love, faithfulness and righteousness are all intricately linked in God’s economy. It is as if they kiss together. When these holy characteristics are present, God will send forth His blessing and the land will become fruitful, yielding a great harvest. But, righteousness must be established – it must go before Him and prepare the way for His actions. Consider for a moment that Jesus is our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30). Before Jesus came, John was the forerunner who preached repentance to the people (Luke 3:3). Why did he preach about repentance? Psalm 85:13 states, “Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.” If we desire the Lord to bless us and to be close to us, we need to repent and live “righteously” before Him. Restoration follows repentance!

Luke 5:17-26

            One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

 

            Our reading from Luke demonstrates in a dramatic way the need for the New Covenant. There were two groups of people who confronted Jesus that day. First, there were religious leaders who had come to hear Jesus. They had traveled from a variety of places, including every village in Galilee, from Judea and Jerusalem. This indicates that there might have been a fairly large group. Why had they come? These religious elitists were not there to learn from Jesus. They wanted to trap Jesus in some heretical statement. Matthew 22:15 records the reason for following Jesus. It says, “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.” Their goal was to destroy Jesus before he ever developed a following and usurped their power and authority. These men represented the Old Covenant system that had degenerated into an unmanageable system of 613 laws.

            The second group of folks who confronted the Lord were simple men who had great concern for their paralyzed friend, and great faith in the Lord Jesus. In reality, they embodied the two greatest commandments as articulated by Jesus. That is to, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” And, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” These guys understood that and put it into practice. Apparently the crowd was so large that they could not get to Jesus in a conventional way. They wanted Jesus to heal their physically challenged friend. But, rather than give up, they climbed up, raised up their friend and then lowered him through a hole to where Jesus was. What happened next is epic!

            Jesus was moved by their faith and said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” That was not exactly what these men were asking for, but you notice that they did not complain. Who was it that complained – accusing Jesus of blasphemy? It was those Frigid Pharisees and teachers of the Law. They were incensed (no pun intended) that Jesus claimed to have the authority to forgive sins. If Jesus had just healed the man, that would not be a problem. But to forgive his sins, that is going too far. How dare He say such a thing! Jesus knew the wickedness in their hearts and responded, “Which is easier, for me to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘take up your pallet and walk?’” After confounding the religious leaders, Jesus told the man to get up and walk, and he did.

            Jesus demonstrated three powerful points in this narrative. First, Jesus has the power to forgive sins because He is God. Second, we must remember that “righteousness goes before Him and prepares the way for His steps.” Before Jesus healed the man physically, He healed the man spiritually. By forgiving his sins, Jesus was establishing him in righteousness. Then his next step could be taken. He told him to get up and walk. Finally, by healing this lame man, and many others, Jesus was fulfilling Isaiah 35. “The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap like a deer, and the dumb will sing for joy.” As the Promised Messiah, it is Jesus who brings true forgiveness and restoration!

            The lesson for us is this – if we want to be restored, we must walk the “way of holiness.” As we move ever closer to Christmas, may we resonate with the faithful friends who came in great faith to Jesus and laid their friend and his needs before the Lord. Jesus met the greatest need of the paralytic man first – to forgive His sin. Perhaps we should spend some time considering what we might want Jesus to forgive. Then, we need to confess our sins to Him. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Only when we are forgiven can we be restored. And restoration means getting back on the journey – back on the Way – the Way of holiness.

Have a most meaningful thirteenth day of Advent.

Worth the Wait: Advent Scriptures and Devotion for December 12

            As we move to day 12 of our preparations, we are confronted with some interesting questions. In a world that holds to no absolute truth, how do we know what is true? From what source do we learn absolute truth? Does what we believe to be true really make a difference in our lives? Our Scriptural focus will answer these questions and more.

Psalm 1:1-6

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who mediates on his law day and night.  ³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. ⁴ Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. ⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. ⁶ For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

            Psalm 1:1-2 confronts our questions head on. To be “blessed” of God means more than a superficial happiness. This adjective indicates that God’s favor and grace are upon the one who is “blessed.” This is directly related to the covenant relationship offered by God to humankind. Through the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:3, 22:17-18), God would offer His “blessing” to all nations. Covenants, as we have discussed, create a family relationship. After the fall of man, God’s prescription for a restored relationship with Him was through a series of covenants. Covenants have two components – the Word of the covenant (the covenant expectations), and the Sign of the covenant (the ratifying sacrifice of communal meal). Keeping the Word of the covenant brought blessings. Failure to keep the Word or expectations of the covenant brought “curses” (Deuteronomy 11:26). In the context of Psalm 1, the “blessed” individual avoids the council of the wicked (unfaithfulness), and dedicates Himself to keeping the Law of God, that is, the Word of the covenant. Notice the regression involved in living unfaithfully. Walking in the way of the wicked degrades into standing with sinners, which devolves completely into sitting with the mockers. This is a dreadful position of opposition to the righteous! Those who wish to be faithful to the Word of the Covenant must understand the expectations of it. Psalm 1:2 tells us this is accomplished by taking delight in continually meditating on the Law (Word of the Covenant) of God.

            Psalm 1:3-6 reveals the result of living faithfully (blessings), and unfaithfully (curses). The person who is right with God (righteous), has a constant source of life (John 15:4). Like a tree near the stream, he or she derives spiritual life from faithfulness to the covenant relationship. What results from this close proximity to the source of life? The one bound to the truth of God’s Word prospers in all that he does. His leaf does not wither, and in due season he will bear fruit.

            To the contrary, the unfaithful one will be blown away as chaff. Chaff is the useless leftover after the good grain has been extracted (John 15:1-2). Those found outside the covenant relationship with God will fall away in the judgment and not be found in the assembly of the righteous (Revelation 5:13-14).

            According to Psalm 1, what we believe to be the truth, and what animates our actions makes all the difference! God’s Word is the source of truth (John 14:6). And whether we live “in the Word” or not is a matter of eternal life and death!

Isaiah 48:17-19

            This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. ¹⁸ If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. ¹⁹ Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be blotted out nor destroyed from before me.”

            Isaiah 48:17-19 gives us some historical perspective to work with in dealing with our questions. Verse 17 spells out unambiguously who is the source of Truth. The Lord, the Holy One, the Redeemer of Israel, the Lord God is the one who teaches the Truth and directs the actions of His people. And it should be no surprise that learning and following these truths will be in our best interest! Pertaining to this, John 3:2 is revealing. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus at night. Frankly, he was in the dark, searching for the Truth. He came to Jesus, who we learn in John 1:4, 9 and 8:12 is the, “light of the world.” And in John 14:6 we discover that He is the, “Truth.” Nicodemus describes Jesus in a fascinating way relating directly to Isaiah 48. He says, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Clearly, it is Jesus who is the Lord, the Holy One (Mark 1:24), the Redeemer (Romans 3:24), and the Lord God (John 20:28). It is Jesus who teaches us the Truth because He is the embodiment of the Truth. It is Jesus who directs us in the way we should go, because He is the “Way” (John 14:6)! And it should not be missed that Jesus has credibility unknown to any other man, for only Jesus lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15). He speaks from the perspective of perfection. His outlook is not only from a godly worldview, but from a view of the world known only to God! He speaks credibly and with authority, because He is from God and He is God (John 1:1, 18).

            Verse 18 and 19 suggests that a historical review is in order. The “If only” statement here demonstrates the failure of God’s people to learn God’s commands and follow the Truth. A quick perusal of Israel’s history reveals a plethora of examples when their unfaithfulness led to God’s curse falling on them. From the “Golden Calf” to the “Giants in the Land” to the temple being destroyed twice, God’s judgment is sure on those who do not keep the Word of the covenant. As we saw earlier, living out the Truth brings blessings. Denying the truth and living unfaithfully results in disaster. “If only” they had followed the teaching of the Lord and lived out His Truth, then they would have known peace, prosperity and their children would have persevered in the covenant. Harkening back to the covenant with Abraham, their progeny would have been as numerous as the sand. Sadly, as the people of God disregarded the Word of God, they received God’s curse and deferred God’s blessing!

            Isaiah 48:17-19 answers our questions very clearly. The Lord Jesus is the teacher of the Truth for He is the Truth, and learning and living this Truth will lead to peace, well-being and children who are “blessed” (Refer to Psalm 1:1).

Matthew 11:16-19

            “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: ¹⁷ “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ ¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

            Our Gospel Reading from Matthew 11:16-19 provides a striking parallel with the world today. Jesus comes up with an analogy to describe the current generation. He characterizes them as little children who are bickering back and forth. No matter what some people believe or want to do, others will not go along. Instead, they will offer mockery and scorn. This seems to be an example of subjectivism and general displeasure that sounds strangely like our culture. Criticism is the order of the day. John is criticized for not eating or drinking (John was an ascetic who had probably taken the Nazarite Vow), and Jesus was criticized for eating and drinking with sinners and tax collectors. Whether the Truth comes in the form of a somber tone of repentance, or a joyful celebration of grace, many will sit back and mock! How similar this is to our day. Rather than welcoming the truth, the truth is denied! Christmas trees are now called holiday trees! Nativity scenes are being removed from town squares. Traditional beliefs are mocked as arcane and out of touch. The truth is being turned upside down. As those who are "In Chirst," we must remain grounded and committed to the Word of God - both Jesus and the written word.

            Matthew 11:16-19 gives us the image of what we were warned about in Psalm 1 and Isaiah 48. If the Word of Truth is denied, then judgment is not far behind. This should serve as a stern warning for our culture, and a strong reminder stirring us to faithfulness.

            What should we do in response? Realize that Jesus is the source of Truth. Meditate on His teachings which are the expectations or the Word of the New Covenant. Will this make a difference in our lives? It will make all of the difference in the world. We will continue on the straight and narrow path rather than walk, stand and then sit with the mockers! If we learn and live in the Truth, we will know peace, we will prosper (bear fruit), and our children will be blessed!

As we continue through these days of introspection and discovery, ask God to refine your worldview into one based exclusively on the Word of God. It really is the only Way to find the Truth!

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

Worth the Wait: Advent Scriptures and Devotion for December 11

 

            As we arrive at day eleven, our studies turn to a review of God’s unfolding plan of salvation history. We will see how the main characters in this drama are a “woman,” a “serpent,” and the “seed (offspring) of the woman.” Keep watch for them as you study today’s passages.

Genesis 3:9-15

            But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” ¹⁰ He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” ¹¹ And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” ¹² The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” ¹³ Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” ¹⁴ So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. ¹⁵ And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

            First, let’s unpack our Genesis reading. In the beginning, God created man and woman, in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). What does it mean to be created in the image and likeness of God? A few chapters later, Genesis 5:3 gives us a very strong indication. “When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.” For Seth to be in the image and likeness of Adam meant simply that he was Adam’s son. If we allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, it stands to reason that Adam, created in God’s image and likeness, was God’s son. This is confirmed in the final entry in the genealogy of Jesus found in Luke 3:38. It calls, “Adam, the son of God.” God created Adam and Eve to be His children. This relationship was perfect as God communed with His human family there in the Garden of Eden.

            Adam was given two tasks in the garden. He was to work it and guard it (Genesis 2:15). Also, he and Eve had only one prohibition to deal with. They could not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God warned them that they day they ate of it they would surely die (Genesis 2:17). But Satan, in the form of a serpent, challenged Adam and Eve at the point of their vulnerability. This was their only rule, and if the sneaky snake could cause them to break it, then he would force God’s hand concerning his warning to Adam and Eve, ruin perfection, and destroy God’s providential plans. So, the devil made God out to be a liar, arguing to Eve that by eating the fruit they would not surely die. He also enticed them with the thought that if they consumed the fruit, they would be like God! So, Eve, seeing that it was “good for food”, took the fruit and ate. Eve’s justification for this egregious sin is stunning! Her justification for throwing her relationship with God away was, “Well, that looks pretty tasty.” For the moment, the Serpent must have seemed credible. Physical death was not the immediate result.

            But, God does not lie. When they ate the fruit, the image and likeness of God in Adam and Eve did die. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and the death they experienced was spiritual and it was real. In the moments immediately following, when confronted with his sin, Adam blamed Eve. Then, he had the audacity to blame God. “The WOMAN YOU put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” I’m sure that sat well with Eve. Sin doesn’t only bring disunity with God, it also hurts our human relationships!

            Remember for a moment that Adam was supposed to be guarding the garden, and his wife! Instead, he allowed her to be seduced by a serpent. Then, he duplicates her sin by committing his own! Adam also took of the fruit and ate. And in that instant, something earth shattering and life altering happened! Their perception changed. Suddenly they were aware of their nakedness. Their innocence had been lost in their denial of God’s authority and their desire to claim it for themselves.

            Satan thought he had defeated God by thwarting God’s plan for perfect family communion. But God was prepared for this assault on His crowning creation. Genesis 3:15 gives us the first glimpse of the Gospel anywhere in the Scriptures. Here we find God speaking to the snake and the woman. In this one verse, see if you can find the Gospel. After cursing the serpent, God says, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Do you see the Gospel? From that day forward, the woman and her “seed” or offspring, will have a hostile and antagonistic relationship with the snake. Then God speaks prophetically. The offspring of the woman will “crush your head,” though you will “strike his heal.” While the image is a bit vague, it will become crystal clear as we continue to examine the Scripture!

Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

            Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

            Our Ephesians 1 passage emphasizes what we have already noticed in Genesis 3. God had a plan in place from the beginning. He knew that man would choose to sin. God is omniscient, that is, He has all knowledge. He has foreknowledge, which is the ability to know in advance. So, nothing catches God off guard. According to Ephesians 1, God’s plan to redeem mankind was in place before the foundation of the world. And, the Apostle Paul writes, “In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ…”(v. 5). Why would we need to be adopted? Because in the fall of man, the “image and likeness” of God, that is, our relationship to God as His sons and daughters, was severed. God’s plan, established before time, was to reestablish that relationship through adoption. This happens when we come into Christ. In effect, we become “sons in the Son”. How does this happen? Paul writes in verse 13, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” God’s plan for reconciling us unto Himself was in place before creation. We saw it for the first time in Genesis 3. Where else does it appear? And what about those three characters?

Luke 1:26-38

                 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” ³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” ³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.” ³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

            In Luke 1:26-38 we are introduced to a young “woman” from Nazareth. She is a virgin, promised or betrothed to a man named Joseph who is in the line of David. The woman’s name was Mary. One day the angel Gabriel came to her and addresses her, “Hail, highly favored one, the Lord is with you.”  God was with her and He had big plans in store for this little girl.

            Of course, she was troubled and had questions! The Angel comforted her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” As we noted in previous days, the Messiah would fulfill the covenant with Abraham and Jacob and would sit on the throne of David! Mary would have heard very clearly that the baby she would bear was none other than the Messiah! Imagine how this young maiden must have felt to hear such amazing things, and then to realize that they were about to happen to her!

            Mary’s next question is an obvious one. “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of God would envelope her and that she would conceive and have a son – the Son of God. How would this young woman respond? What would her answer be? “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Another step in Salvation History had been taken. And, what do you know, the characters start to reappear. Remember Genesis 3:15 – the “woman” the “serpent” and the “seed”.  In Luke 1, we find the young “woman”, whose “seed” will be the Son of God! Also notice the connections to Eve – or perhaps I should say, reversals. Eve, the first woman, said no to obeying God. Mary, the second woman, as it were, says yes to obeying God. Eve is used by Satan to infect humanity with the curse of sin. Mary is utilized by God to be the mother of Jesus – and it was Jesus whose death, burial and resurrection would reverse the curse of Adam and Eve.

            Do we find any other Scriptural evidence that the “woman” was Mary? John 2:1-5 states, On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”  What does Jesus call his mother in this passage? He calls her “woman.” Let’s look further. In John 19:26 we hear Jesus words from the cross. Verse 26 says, “When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to her, “Woman, behold, your son!” Again, Jesus refers to his mother as “woman.” Only, this time, He recognizes her as “woman” at the most pivotal moment in the unfolding of the Gospel. At this very instant the prophecy of Genesis 3:15 is fulfilled, and we see the characters appear again. The woman, her seed and the serpent are all there. And the scenario is playing out exactly as predicted. Jesus identifies the “woman” as His mother, Mary.  Jesus, the seed of the woman, has His heal bruised or struck. And, though Satan the serpent thought he had won, we know that Jesus overcame sin, death and hell by His own death, and the serpent’s head was most certainly crushed! This is a perfect fulfillment – as prophesied from the beginning – way back in Genesis 3:15!

            Finally, remember that Adam stood at a tree where he failed to protect his bride. Jesus, the second Adam, went to a tree where He laid down His life to protect and save His bride, the Church. Adam allowed his bride to be seduced into sin by the serpent, and in so doing caused creation to fall under the curse of sin. Jesus stood up to and defeated the serpent and thereby reversed the curse of sin, death and hell! The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

            As we continue to prepare for Christmas and as we wait for His Second Coming, let there be no doubt that God’s plans will come to fruition! We have the testimony of history, and the promise of God to give us hope for tomorrow. With the psalmist we may sing a new song – of the Lord’s wondrous deeds, of His great victory over Satan, and of His great salvation made known to all mankind. Thanks be to God!

Have a marvelous eleventh day of Advent.

Worth the Wait: Advent Scriptures and Devotion for December 10

          Today is the tenth day of our Advent preparations. As we look deeply into the Scriptures, we will begin to see the lights of Bethlehem just over the hill. The star has appeared, and the choir of angels is beginning to warm up. We will arrive soon, but there are still much work to do and lessons to learn.

          Today’s readings remind us just how HUGE the Incarnation is – for God’s people as a whole, and for us as individuals. God had every reason to write humanity off! Frankly, each of us has given the Father good reason to give up on us. But, instead, He sends us His Son to, “seek and to save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10)! The Incarnation of Jesus is the centerpiece of Salvation History – for humanity, and for each of us!

            Surely, God must grow weary of the unfaithfulness of His children. From the very beginning, God has blessed us with everything we could need or want to live in communion with Him. And how do we respond?  Let’s take Adam and Eve. God blessed our primal parents with every kind of blessing (Genesis 1:28-30). He gave them dominion over the entire created order, and a covenant whereby they might be fruitful and multiply. Adam and Eve’s response was to turn their back on the “giver of every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17) at their very first opportunity to do so. Their sinful rebellion has reverberated through every subsequent generation (Romans 5:12)!

            How about the Children of Israel, God’s chosen people? They were also richly blessed! In Genesis 22:17-18, God says to Abraham, “I will surely bless you …and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.” This covenant with Abraham extended to the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people. They were blessed to have a relationship with God, and He gave them the “Promised Land” as their dwelling. Over and over again, the response of the Children of Israel was to rebel against God – to turn to their own way – and to worship the Gods of other nations. This resulted in God’s judgment falling on His people. They watched Jerusalem burn, witnessed many perish at the hands of foreign armies, and the remnant spent years in exile.

            What about us? We are also blessed greatly! Romans 1:3 states, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” In Christ, we have every blessing that Adam, Eve, and the Israelites have…and more. But, also like Adam and Eve, and the Nation of Israel, we too have rebelled against God. Why does God put up with us? It really is no more complicated than this: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”

            Isaiah 40 marks a turning point in the book of Isaiah. Chapters 1 through 39 deal with God’s righteous judgment falling on His unfaithful people. God had used King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and carry God’s people into captivity where they served as slaves. This is reminiscent of Israel’s time in Egypt as slaves of Pharaoh. And much like Moses was sent to reclaim God’s people, Chapter 40 reveals that God’s judgment is complete and a day of reclamation and reconciliation has come. Imagine, knowing that your homeland had been destroyed, that many of your loved ones were displaced or dead, and that your favor with God had been damaged. Now, the clouds were beginning to lift and the sun was starting to break through. The time for sorrow and sadness had passed. God was about to change everything! What relief and joy would flood your soul!!

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

            Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. ² Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. ³ A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. ⁴ Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. ⁵ And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” ⁶ A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. ⁷ The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. ⁸ The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” ⁹ You who bring good news to Zion,  go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” ¹⁰ See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. ¹¹ He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.  

            Chapter 40:1-2 begins with wondrous words of encouragement and consolation. God speaks “comfort” to His people. These words are to be delivered tenderly to them. Israel and Judah have suffered enough. A new day is dawning. What has changed? God has declared that the long days of servitude and judgment have passed. And, that the people have received double judgment for their sin. God is now satisfied that His people have paid the price for their unfaithfulness. Why would God punish His chosen ones? Proverbs 3:11-12 states, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves.” Hebrews 12:10 says, “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.” God’s judgment, based on love and His desire to purify His people, is now complete.

            Verses 3-5 reveal that there is still work left to be done. A voice is heard crying in the wilderness. This “voice” may represent other prophets, like Isaiah, but is most fully realized in John the Baptist (Matthew 3:3). The voice cries out that preparations must be made for the coming of the Lord. All obstacles must be removed. Where is this voice crying? He is in the wilderness, or the desert. We noted yesterday that the desert is a place of anguish, alienation, death and decay.  Humans were not meant to stay there! A very important highway will be built in the wilderness. This road has two purposes. We have previously described this highway as the, “way of holiness. (Isaiah 35:8).” For us to access this path that leads out of desolation, it required repentance. John preached this message of repentance in Luke 3:3-9 as the “voice crying in the wilderness.” In speaking to the Pharisees, he said, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” But, this highway has a second purpose. It will also be used by the Lord to come to us. Could it be that we need a guide on the journey out of the wasteland and back to the Promised Land? Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way” (John 14:5)? Jesus said, “I am the Way.” Jesus came to show us the “Way” that leads to life. This highway is a two way street!

            When the Lord comes, the path will be made straight and narrow (Matthew 7:14). The mountains will be brought low. The valleys will be filled in. The crooked places will be made straight. And the rugged places made plain. Let’s face it, this road work is impossible for us, but all things are possible for God. In effect, by preparing our hearts for Him, He is making a Way for us – and He will take care of the infrastructure work.

            Finally in verse 5 we see that a glorious occurrence transpires when these preparations are made, when God’s people repent and turn from sin. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all people will see His salvation! Could it be that our sinfulness detracts from God’s glory being revealed to the world? How sad that the church loses much of its prophetic influence because we have not repented and walked the “way of holiness.” What if we did truly repent and turn away from sin and back to the Lord? Would the glory of the Lord be revealed and all people see His salvation? To conclude, yes, would be consistent with the teaching of this passage.

            All of this is cause for shouting, and that is exactly what verse 9 tells us to do. Shout it from the mountaintops! Our “Sovereign Lord” has come to rule with a “mighty arm”. This is the language of kings who have prevailed in conflict. As one who has triumphed in battle, this King has gathered up the spoils of the victor, and what he has gathered to Himself? It is…US!

            Unlike other kings who might parade us around to display their winnings, this victorious King holds us close as a loving Shepherd. He takes care of us as a Shepherd would tend His flock, and He is especially tender with those caring for their young – the most vulnerable ones. Can you think of any Kings who were also Shepherds? David comes to mind. But the ultimate answer is Jesus – the King of kings who is also the Good Shepherd.

            What an amazing announcement Isaiah 40 is. God was reconciling with His estranged people. After years of separation, He called the people to repentance, and preparation, and announced that He was coming as King and Shepherd. Now he holds His precious ones close to his heart. As the old hymn says, “There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.” Like John, the beloved disciple, reclined on Jesus breast (John 13:13), so too, we are given this invitation. “Come unto me, all of you who are weary and heavy laden, I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28)”

Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13

            Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. ² Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. ³ Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. ¹¹ Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. ¹² Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. ¹³ Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.

            Psalm 96 reflects the tone and timbre of Isaiah 40:9. The psalmist calls for the singing of a new song to the Lord. Like Isaiah 40:1, a new era is beginning, and it requires a new song! He calls for the ensemble of all creation to proclaim the glory of the Lord and to proclaim His greatness to the nations. The heavens, sea, plain and trees (an interesting choir), are to rejoice and resound with the good news. For the Lord is coming! And He will rule with equity, justice and faithfulness. God’s faithfulness stands in such stark contrast to our unfaithfulness. Indeed, because of God’s gracious gift has made such a transforming difference in our lives, we should announce His salvation to everyone, everyday!

Matthew 18:12-14

            “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? ¹³ And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. ¹⁴ In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

            Matthew 18:12-14 contains a very straightforward question posed by Jesus to His disciples. As we have studied Isaiah 40, the picture is of redemption for God’s people. In Matthew 18, Jesus shows us the personal nature of His salvation. Jesus, like a good Rabbi, asks for the opinion of His students. If a shepherd has 100 sheep and one of them goes astray, should he leave the 99 in the hills and go after the one who is lost? He continues the lesson by saying that the shepherd will rejoice more over finding the one, than the 99 who are safely in the fold. Jesus concludes by saying that God’s will is that not even one of “these little ones” be lost. The Lord’s divine embrace of His little lambs is more than just hyperbole. Isaiah 40:11 tells that he, “gathers the lambs in His arms.”

          Adam and Eve went astray. Israel and Judah went their own way. What about us? Have we gone astray? Have we been lost? Isaiah 53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way…” Jesus came looking for each one of us. Indeed, He has, “come to seek and save those who were lost.” Jesus said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32). Jesus sought us by becoming flesh and dwelling among us - the Incarnation. He came to seek and save us by taking up the cross. He stretched out His arms on the old rugged tree, losing His own life, so that we might be found. And now, He holds us in His hands and no one can take us out of His hands (John 10:28)! What comfort that should give us. As the old hymn says, “Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.” Now that’s a blessing worth singing about!

          On this tenth day of Advent, may you truly know the comfort of the Lord as He draws you unto Himself.

 

Worth the Wait: Advent Scriptures and Devotion for December 9

            Our pace begins to quicken, and our hearts beat ever faster as our anticipation moves toward completion. There is an excitement that gathers as the days pass by. Day nine has arrived. Our preparations continue as we study selections from Zechariah 2 and Luke 1. In these passages we will discover that it has always been God’s intention to dwell with man. The mode has changed over the centuries, from garden, to tabernacle, to temple, to Incarnation, but His intent has always been the same. God desires humanity to come around Him as His family of worshipers.

            Zechariah, the Prophet, not to be confused with any of the other 27 men who have the same name in the Scriptures, sought to encourage the Jewish people in the post-exilic period which began in 539 BC when Cyrus the Persian King allowed the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem. Zechariah’s book dates from 520 BC and his audience was made up of dispersed Jews who remained in exile, and those who had returned to Jerusalem. A major point of emphasis for him was the rebuilding of the Temple – the center of worship and the focal point of God’s Presence. As the Holy Spirit inspired Zechariah to write, his focus was surely on the rebuilding of an earthly temple precisely where Solomon’s temple had stood before the Babylonians destroyed it in 586 BC. Indeed, his prophecy of a new earthly temple came to pass. But, as is often the case, the first partial fulfillment is eclipsed by a more ultimate and complete fulfillment. As we read chapter 2, verses 10 through 13, two “fulfillments” should come into view: the rebuilding of the earthly temple which began in 516 BC, and the coming of the Messiah, which is, of course, the more absolute meaning of the prophecy.

Zechariah 2:10-13

            “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”       

            Zechariah 2:10 opens with great words of encouragement for those who have returned to Jerusalem and those contemplating it. Speaking for God, the prophet declares that the Lord is coming back, and he will dwell with them again! Since the first temple had been destroyed, God’s people were dispersed into Babylon where they became slaves. They felt distant from God and abandoned. The temple was so thoroughly associated with God’s Presence. After all, it was built according to God’s specifications to be His dwelling place (1 Kings 6:11-13). And, the Holy of Holies was to be God’s residence as He sat enthroned between the angels on the Ark of the Covenant (2 Kings 19:15, 1 Chronicles 13:6, Psalm 99:1). All of that was gone! And beyond that, the sacrificial system that maintained the covenant relationship with God and His people was dissolved. No temple meant there could be no sacrifice! Not only was the temple gone, so was the Ark of the Covenant and their entire religious system. Zechariah’s announcement would have been especially welcome news! Imagine the excitement when the people heard that the Lord was coming back to dwell with His people!

            Next, God says that on that day, many nations will be joined with Him and become His people. While the Jewish people were fine with Zechariah’s first prophecy, this second idea would have been a bit problematic. They preferred the exclusive relationship they had with God and would have balked at any notion of including other nations within the covenant. In the words of John Wayne, “There’s just not enough room in this town for both of us.” We don’t want any Samaritans here. And we surely don’t want any Gentile dogs! The Jewish people had forgotten the promise made to Abraham that His family line would be blessed and be a blessing to all the nations (Genesis 12:3). This blessing was upgraded to a covenant in Genesis 22:16-18. After Abraham’s obedience to God in offering his son Isaac, God said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” Abraham’s offspring, including the Jewish people, should have welcomed the fulfillment of this long standing covenant promise of God. But, they were focused on themselves. Not only were they uninterested in including outsiders, they were repulsed at the thought! Sadly, Zechariah’s prophecy of many nations joining God’s family would have to wait for a future fulfillment.

            Zechariah went on to quote the Promised One, saying, “I will dwell among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.” This is tabernacle and temple language. How interesting that the Lord Almighty will send the Promised One (note the use of “I”) to dwell with the people. This was the place of Yahweh. But now, God’s place is being given to the Promised One – as if they are equals. This must have caused the original audience to scratch their heads!

            Verse 12 restates God’s commitment to reclaim this returning remnant as His own, and to reestablish Jerusalem as His place of inhabitance. Then, a command is given for all to be silent, for the Lord is rising up from His holy dwelling. This is reminiscent of two passages calling for silence before God. Habakkuk 2:20 says, “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” Revelation 8:1 says that after the seventh seal was opened, “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” This passage is also in the context of the heavenly temple. The Jews would have understood that Jerusalem and the Temple would be restored and God would be with them again!

            So, we have seen how Zechariah’s original audience would have interpreted this passage. How should we understand it? First, the prophet says, the Lord is coming to dwell with His people. John 1:14 declares, “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Zechariah goes on to say that many nations will become a part of God’s covenant family. Galatians 3:28 states, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:12-14 says, “…remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…” Zechariah then reiterates that the Promised One will dwell among God’s people and they will know He is sent from God. John 1:14, as we noted, claims that Jesus came to dwell among us. It goes on to say, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 14:20 states, “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” Now that is the height of the Lord “dwelling” with us, and us “dwelling” with the Lord. Finally, Zechariah says that God will reestablish His people and reclaim Jerusalem, and all the earth will be silent before Him because He has arisen from His holy temple. Revelation 21:1-3 declares, “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” The people reclaimed by the Lord turns out to be the New Covenant people of God, described as the new Jerusalem, and as the bride. Ephesians 5 tells us the bride of Christ is the Church. Indeed God’s dwelling is with men! Clearly, the ultimate fulfillment of Zechariah 2:10-13 is in the Lord Jesus and His Incarnation – by which He makes His dwelling with us. Let there be no doubt!

Luke 1:26-38

            In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

            Luke 1:26-38 tells us how all of this came to pass. To begin, Luke places this event in some context. He says it took place in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Zechariah, (not to be confused with the prophet) her husband, was a priest. While tending to his temple responsibility, at the hour of prayer and “burning of incense”, Zechariah was visited by the Angel Gabriel. This heavenly messenger’s word to Zechariah was that he and Elizabeth would bear a son! His name was to be John, and he would be the forerunner to the Messiah! 

            The angel Gabriel appeared one other time at the “hour of prayer”. In Daniel 9:21, Gabriel came to Daniel at the hour of the evening sacrifice, also known as the hour of prayer. His message to Daniel was an interpretation of a dream concerning the coming of the Anointed One, the Messiah! How interesting that Gabriel seems to be exclusively the bearer of news about the coming of the Messiah!

            There is one other connection worth noting, and this one is with the Zechariah 2 passage. The hour or prayer or sacrifice also included a period of thirty minutes when the temple fell silent. Remember, Zechariah 2:13 records that God required silence before Him for He was arising from His temple. And as we learned from that passage, the Promised One was coming to dwell with God’s people. With Zechariah the Prophet, the Prophet Daniel, and the Father of John the Baptist, the half hour of silence coincides with messages concerning the coming of the Messiah. To add to this, In Revelation 8:1, when the seventh seal is opened, silence falls over heaven for thirty minutes! Is this just a coincidence? Hardly!!

            So, in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel appears to Mary, Elizabeth’s cousin. What do you think his message to Mary might be? It should be no surprise that He is bearing good news about the Messiah – just as he did with Daniel and Zechariah. Mary is identified as a virgin, as a descendent of David, and as one highly favored, or full of grace. First, concerning Mary’s virgin birth, Isaiah 7:14 prophesies that “…the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Immanuel means “God with us,” which draws our attention back to the prophecy of Zechariah 2:10. Identical words are used – that God will dwell with man. Second, Mary is in the line of David. God promised David that he will never fail to have a successor on the throne (1 Kings 9:5). And third, as one highly favored, Mary, was about to be graced with one of the greatest responsibilities ever bestowed upon a human. She was to become the mother of the Lord Jesus. It was Jesus who would fulfill the covenant with David and Jacob, and His reign would be eternal!

            Mary was obviously troubled by this. Who wouldn’t be? After all, she had not known a man. Gabriel would explain everything to her. Even though she was a virgin, she would be with child after the Holy Spirit would come upon her and overshadow her. This is a Divine union resulting in the birth of One fully God and fully man. The One to be born would be called the Son of God. Mary’s response to the Angel reveals her deep reverence and trust in God. She says, “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

            In 70 AD, the temple would lay in ruins once again. But from the scattered rubble and the ashes would emerge the new temple – the Church of Jesus Christ. Now, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Peter wrote that we, “…like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5) Because of the Incarnation, God Himself is with us!

The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence. (Habakkuk 2:20)