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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke

PART 1 - HISTORICAL EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRIST'S BIRTH (Luke 1:5 - 2:52)

2. The Announcement of Jesus Christ's Birth (Luke 1:26-38)


LUKE 1:34-38
34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be,seeing I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. 36 Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For everything spoken by God is possible.”38 Mary said, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word.”The angel departed from her.

When the angel announced the promise to Zacharias, the latter doubted and wondered, “How shall I know this?” (1:18) though he had seen the glorious herald and heard his clear words. Yet, Mary did not doubt, but asked the angel, “How can this be?” She believed, understood and trembled in humanity at the impossible thing. Gabriel did not consider her question as doubt, but as an inquiry concerning the way and manner how such a miracle could happen. Only God is qualified to answer such a question. It is not wrong to ask God to show you his plans for your life if you are willing to follow them.

Because of Mary’s obedient acceptance the angel revealed the secret of incarnation of the Holy Spirit in Christ, that is the Spirit of God himself with all his powers, abilities and glories would dwell in her womb. The fullness of the Godhead dwelt in the Son and the Holy Spirit himself was his essence. Man! Did you know that all the Holy Trinity took part when the Savior of the world dwelt in the Virgin Mary? Our language is unable to express this culmination of human history and our mind is too small to realize how God loved us so much that he clothed his Son with the sufferings of the world and was embodied in flesh. Worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the One God, and love him with all your heart, because his love for corrupt humans was the only motive and reason for the conception of Christ.

There was neither lust, nor sin, nor selfishness, nor impurity in this miracle, for the Holy God appeared in Christ who was himself full of holiness and void of inherited sin. Even all the sinful tendencies that Mary inherited from her father David and his descendants were overcome and changed into complete purity, divine power and eternal truth in Christ, whom she bore in her womb.

Man cannot realize the mystery of this moment without the Holy Spirit. Those who are not born of the love of God blaspheme Christ and say that he was born of a human being. Yet, those who are renewed in repentance and receive everlasting life from the word of the Gospel worship God the Father, who sent his Son in the form of flesh.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is a true man from a true man and true God from the true God. He did not need a second spiritual birth. He is the Life-Giver who offers us, justified, his life through faith in him so that we may become by his power children of God, looking forward to his imminent coming which is our certain hope.

The powerful angel gave the frightened Mary a clear sign so that she could believe what was impossible to believe, for she thought how could it be possible for a creature to conceive the Creator of the world in her womb. The angel showed her the divine miracle of Elizabeth her relative (who was not of the house of David) who had become pregnant though she was barren. This was a further encouragement to her faith, which prepared Mary for the decisive word of the Lord.

Is anything impossible with God? Dear brother, do you believe in God’s unlimited power in your life, church and nation? Then do not accuse God of lying and do not deceive yourself with human thoughts. Do you believe in God’s absolute power? Did you put yourself, your mind, diseases, friends and enemies before the throne of grace committing yourself into the hands of the Highest? Where is your love for him? How true is your faith? Take hold of God, and set your love upon him, for he is the Almighty who wants to save and is able to save. In effect, He saves according to your faith. You are the door through which the grace of God is willing to enter into your life and surroundings.

Mary believed in the omnipotence of her Lord and opened herself to the will of love. Christ did not dwell in her without her consent. Through her humble submission she fulfilled the designs of the Highest. If Mary hesitated at that moment or refused the word of God, the world would fall and we would remain in our sins, condemned by God. Yet, the Virgin was deep-rooted in the Old Testament, obeying the guidance of the Holy Spirit in her life. She believed the prophecies and was able to accept Christ, the gift of God to the world.

By her spiritual consent, Mary washed away the shame attributed to woman since the fall of Eve and changed her weakness into glory. The Virgin suffered greatly for the Son of God who was placed in her heart. However, she bore the shame of accusation with patience, faith and thankfulness to her Lord throughout her life.

PRAYER: Our Father in heaven, we worship you because in all the holiness of your love you let Christ be born of your maidservant Mary. We are prayerfully astonished at the miracle of your indwelling. Please renew us all so that we may believe in your word that you addressed to us, trusting that you change and renew our evil environment through our faith.

QUESTION 14: How did the Virgin become pregnant with Christ? (1:34-38)

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