The Bible Course Muestra

Angels, a Virgin, and a Song – the coming of Jesus 

Reflect  

Have you ever tried putting a face to a name? Maybe you’ve conversed with someone through work via email for a long time or listened to the radio without ever seeing the host’s face. When you finally have the chance to see them, often the face you imagined was way off!  

Luke begins his account with a flurry of angelic activity. All of heaven knows that something major is happening on earth. At last, God is putting a face to the name!  

What do we learn about Jesus and his mission from Luke’s opening account?  

Why Mary? And why Nazareth? The rural village was not the commercial center of the world and Mary was no influencer! But that’s exactly the point. God ignored all the rules of an effective PR campaign and chose the unlikeliest place and the most unlikely circumstances. God made himself an outsider, so the outsider can know that God knows them. You haven’t been through what he has not already been through. God’s heart is for the nobodies from nowhere. And he ultimately came to bring the outsider in. How? Look to his name.  

‘Jesus’ (verse 31) comes from an ancient Hebrew name pronounced Yeshua and it means ‘the Lord saves’. Appreciating Yeshua as the same name as ‘Joshua’ causes everything to fall into place. God used Moses to lead Israel out of captivity. But it was Joshua who led them into the promised land. Jesus is our new Joshua. Jesus doesn’t just break the chains of oppression, he’s also the one who leads us into a wide-open place. He’s a rescuer and a guide for the oppressed and the hopeless.  

He was also to be given the throne of David (verse 32). We may not feel the weight of that statement, but Mary did. Look to her song of overflowing joy and praise to God for what he’s about to do! Her song speaks of her amazement that God has included her and that he’s coming good on his word! 

God had promised David (2 Samuel 7.8–16) a descendant who would establish his kingdom forever. He’d rule with love and justice. And now the time is here. God has come good on his word! Jesus arrived as savior and king. He makes a way for us to be saved but also to give hope to the world and to reign forever.  

Respond 

Let your heart sing Mary’s song because Jesus is savior and king!