Gloria Phifer
In our last
study, the Archangel Gabriel, brought a message to Mary. Her response was one
of incredible faith. Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord,
be it unto me according to your word.” She left in haste to her cousin
Elizabeth (who was pregnant with John the Baptist) the baby in Elizabeth’s womb
leapt with joy at the sound of Mary’s voice. Elizabeth exclaimed that Mary was
the mother of her Lord and blessed was the fruit of Mary’s womb. (When you have
time, read again how Mary magnified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced in God her
Savior. Luke 1:46-55.)
Mary stayed
with Elizabeth for three months and then returned to her home town
Nazareth. The Bible does not let us know
how Joseph found out Mary was with child. (We don’t see the reaction of her
parents either.) In the Old Testament a
woman pregnant, outside of marriage, would be stoned. It was a terrible
disgrace.
Matt. 1:1 the
book of the generations of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham.
From Abraham to the coming of Christ was 42 generations.
1: 18-25
Mary and Joseph were espoused to one another. Espoused in Greek “To give a
souvenir (engagement present) betroth. To woo her and ask her in marriage. To
be promised in marriage, be betrothed.”
This was a binding, legal arrangement.
Vs. 19 what kind of man was Joseph? What was his
dilemma? How would he treat Mary?
Vs. 20-24.
What a dream!!! This dream fulfilled scripture. Isaiah 7:14. Being a man of God
Joseph would know this scripture. Vs. 21
this scripture brings up so much emotion in me.
“And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name JESUS:
for He shall SAVE His people from their sins.
What a privilege Joseph would have,
to name the Son of God…JESUS!!! I don’t know about you but this touches my
heart. Before His birth, His Name was
given…that wonderful Name that we have used in our salvation, in our rejoicing,
in our darkest moments. That Name that brings salvation, deliverance, hope,
healing…! What are your thoughts at this
moment in the presence of The Name of Jesus?
Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus left His heavenly kingdom and took
on the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. Vs. 9-11 what
will happen at the Name of Jesus and what will every tongue confess?
Vs. 23 we
find another Name for our Savior…EMMANUEL…God with us. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore
the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and
bear a Son and shall call His Name EMMANUEL.
At this
moment in Joseph’s and Mary’s life The King of Kings and Lord of Lords was on
His way into our world. Growing in the
womb of Mary was JESUS!!! Do you see the miracle of this as I am seeing
it??? On His way into our lives!!!
Joseph was
obedient. What did Joseph do
vs.24-25? Notice in vs. 25 ….”She
brought forth her Firstborn Son…the scripture says “her firstborn son.”
Notice…Joseph
called His Name JESUS!!!
Luke 2:1-7. Caesar Augustus did
not know that God was initiating this action to bring His Only Begotten Son to
His place of birth. Why did Joseph and
Mary have to go to Bethlehem? What was Mary’s condition as she traveled? Where
was she when she gave birth?
Another fulfillment of prophesy…Micah 5:2” But thou,
Bethlehem Ephratah though you be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come
forth unto ME that is to be ruler in
Israel: Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
What a
beautiful scripture!!! Are you in awe
as I am? Micah was written approx.750 B.C.
I believe
Joseph had money for an inn, because he was a responsible man. But because of
the taxing, there was no room. Vs. 7 where was our Savior born?
LAB. 2:7
“Strips of cloth were used to keep a baby warm and give him a sense of
security. These cloths were believed to protect his internal organs. The custom
of wrapping infants this way is practiced in may Mid-eastern countries.”
LAB “The
mention of the manger is the basis for the traditional belief that Jesus was
born in a stable. Stables were often caves with feeding troughs (mangers) carved
into the rock walls. Despite the popular Christmas card pictures. The
surroundings were dark and dirty.”
As I was
reading this I thought of “The Light of The World” coming into this dark and
dirty world. He was Light!!! Thoughts?
John 8:12.
Luke 2:8-20.
The shepherds were in the fields watching over their sheep at night. Something
amazing happened…WHAT HAPPENED???
Vs. 9-14.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ
the Lord. A birth announcement given by
an angel. Vs.12 what is the sign given
to them so they will know this is the Baby?
Vs. 13-15 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men.”
What is God’s heart toward mankind?
Can you imagine a multitude of heavenly angels praising God and saying
this? This was no ordinary night. The
world would never be the same because THE CHRIST HAD BEEN BORN!!!
Vs. 16 what did the shepherds
find? What did Mary do Vs. 19? She had just given birth and their first
visitors were shepherds. Why do you
think God gave this announcement to the shepherds?
LAB “Luke
records that Jesus birth was announced to shepherds in the fields. These may
have been the shepherds who supplied the lambs for the Temple sacrifices that
were performed for the forgiveness of sin. Here the angels invited these
shepherds to greet The Lamb of God…Who would take away the sins of the world
forever.” John 1:36.
Jesus is The
Lamb of God and He is The Shepherd of the sheep. Psalm 79:13, Ps 80:1, Isaiah
40:10-11, Psalm 79:13, Ps. 95:7, Ps. 100:3, John 10:11-14, Heb. 13:20-21, 1 Pet
2:25, 1 Pet. 5:4.
Our Savior
and Shepherd has been born. Angels have heralded His birth. We herald His
coming and birth in our hearts.
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift!!! 2 Cor. 9:15.
