January 3, 2020
Knowing Who God Is Changes Everything
Luke 1:26–56
Destinee Valadez
Central Truth
Through studying God's Word, we know who He is, which allows us to model humility, avail wise counsel, revere God's Word, and yield to His plan.
Key Verse | Luke 1:38
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.
Luke 1:26–56
Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed 1 1:27 That is, legally pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 2 1:28 Some manuscripts add Blessed are you among women! 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 3 1:34 Greek since I do not know a man
35 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 4 1:35 Some manuscripts add of you will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 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. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant 5 1:38 Greek bondservant; also verse 48 of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be 6 1:45 Or believed, for there will be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Dive Deeper | Luke 1:26–56
When you think of Mary, what words come to mind? Mary:
• Modeled Humility. It's been said that "[w]hat comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." (A.W. Tozer) Since Mary knew who God is, she was able to rightly understand who she was: a "servant of the Lord."
• Availed Wise Counsel. Soon after hearing this life changing news, she went to her relative Elizabeth's house, instead of isolating herself. While there, she was encouraged and spurred on by a fellow believer. God's intention for us was never that we would go it alone, but rather that we would stir one another on to love and good works and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25).
• Revered God's Word. Throughout Scripture the Lord reminds us to meditate on (Joshua 1:8), talk of (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), and live out His Word (James 1:22-25). In Mary's song of praise, we see that she knew who God is and how He had been faithful throughout Israel's history: "He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever." (Luke 1:54-55) As we look at Mary's praises, it's clear she understood God's past faithfulness, and she saw Him as a merciful, mighty savior and provider.
• Yielded to His Plan. Her understanding of God through the oral recounting of His Word gave her the courage to follow His plan. Before Gabriel's arrival, things were going as planned, but her life was interrupted with news that could lead to a lot of judgment about her character. She was about to become miraculously pregnant with the Savior of the world. Would people believe her? Would people judge her? Rather than wallow in fear, she listened, asked questions, and yielded to God's plan. In Luke 1:38, she says, "[L]et it be to me according to your word." She could say that because she knew who God is.
Mary set an example that believers should emulate:
Model Humility
Avail Wise Counsel
Revere God's Word
Yield to God's Plan
Discussion Questions
1. When we revere God's Word, we take time to meditate on it. I encourage you to sit and linger in Luke 1:46-55. Journal about what this is saying about God, Christ, and Truth.
2. Compare Luke 1:46-55 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10. How are they similar/different? What do both teach you about God, Christ, and Truth?
3. God's Word is such a blessing. The Lord reveals Himself to us in His Word that we might know Him and experience life. My prayer is that you wouldn't just be hearers of the Word, but the truth you learned today would bless your life. So, before we go, how are you going to commit to live out His Word? ("Based on this text, I will _______________.") Share the way you completed this sentence in the Comments below.