The Bible CourseSample

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 via email for a long time or listened to someone on the radio without ever seeing their face. When you finally have the chance to meet, perhaps they look different to how you imagined them.

Luke begins his Gospel 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 chapter?

Why Mary? And why Nazareth? The action didn’t take place in the commercial centre 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. God’s heart is for the nobodies from nowhere and, ultimately, he 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’. Connecting Yeshua with the name ‘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. And he doesn’t just break the chains of oppression, he’s the one who leads us into a wide open place. He’s a rescuer and 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 joyful song of praise to God for what he was about to do. It speaks of her amazement that God was including her in his plans and thankfulness that he was keeping his word.

God had promised David a descendant who would establish his everlasting Kingdom (see 2 Samuel 7.8–16), and rule with love and justice. God kept his word! Jesus arrived as saviour and king. He made a way for us to be saved, giving hope to the world and establishing a reign that will last forever.

Respond

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