Welcome to Week 4 of our Advent series Good News of Great Joy. This time we come to something called “The Annunciation,” a term that refers to the announcement of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Pastor Tom will be preaching using Luke 2:1-7 so that’s one of the passages we’ll read, but we’re also going to look at it from Matthew, Mark, and John’s gospels, each of which has a different aspect of Jesus’ arrival as emphasis.
That is, of course, four accounts, and we have five days to cover. Day 5 is extra credit from the Apostle Paul. (You’re welcome, fellow Paul fans!) Let’s get started.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
A Good Foster Father
Observe
Matthew picks up on the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy (“the virgin shall conceive”) and tells us something about Joseph.
Matthew 1:18-25
The Birth of Jesus Christ
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Matthew 2:13
The Flight to Egypt
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
Matthew 2:19-20
The Return to Nazareth
19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”
Matthew 2:22
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.
One of the most striking things about the incarnation is that Jesus came not as a mighty general leading a vast army of angels, but as an infant, making himself vulnerable. He would learn and grow as one of us, dependent upon his parents as any child would be, at least for a while. This passage gives us a look into the character of the man God had chosen to be a foster father to his son. In that day, a betrothal was considerably more formal than our modern day engagements, Mary and Joseph were regarded in many aspects as already being married. For her to turn up pregnant, with a story of a divine visit no less, would have been scandalous and led to her being branded as a woman of low morals, or worse. Joseph would have been within his rights to make a spectacle of her, but had already decided not to do so. He was going to “divorce her quietly.” That, my friends, was some pretty remarkable kindness. He had to have been wounded, felt betrayed, and more than a little foolish. But he was still going to be kind to Mary, because “he was a just man.” While it took an angel visiting Joseph in a dream to get him on board with the divine foster father plan, we see the sort of kind and noble human father God the Father wanted his son to have. Remember, as they were already betrothed when God chose Mary, he was also choosing Joseph.
- Why do you think God chose Joseph to be Jesus’ foster father?
- Joseph’s plan to go against cultural norms and disadvantage himself on Mary’s behalf illustrates what gospel principle?
Heavenly Father, I know what I am on the inside matters to you. Despite all his failures, you still called King David a man “after your heart.” Joseph’s determination to treat Mary gently shows the kind of person that you find trustworthy to use in your plans. Grant that I would also be such a person. Amen.
Day 2
Prepare the Way
Observe
Mark quotes Isaiah 40:3 in relating the story of John the Baptist (who was related to Jesus, humanly speaking, since his mother Elizabeth and Jesus’ mother Mary were relatives).
Mark 1:1-8
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Malachi 3:1
3 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
Mark doesn’t record anything about the birth of Jesus, but picks right up with John the Baptist. John, born to Mary’s relative Elizabeth a few months before Jesus, had a considerable public ministry calling people to repentance and Mark records that Judah and all of Jerusalem came “confessing their sins.” John’s message was that someone far greater was coming after him (the implication being: look for him!). At times, the entrance of Jesus into our world is presented as flying beneath the radar, so to speak, as if he came stealthily. But, if you think about it, that isn’t really true. That angelic host created quite a stir amongst the shepherds, who subsequently hurried into town (in a very non-stealthy way) to find this child. John the Baptist, an influential public figure, preached a message to prepare the way for the one who would come after him. Jesus, a gift to the world, deserved and was given significant promotion.
- What can we infer from John’s very public proclamation of Jesus’ coming that we might apply to our gospel ministry today?
- What might oppose that ministry and how should we handle that, if and when it occurs?
Dear Lord, when I pause to consider just how much the birth of one baby changed the world, it seems so obvious that this was all from your hand. The gift of this child, your one and only Son, inspired such joy and passionate faith among his followers then. Let it do the same for us who follow him today. Give us that same excitement and boldness. Amen.
Day 3
Whose Decree Was It Anyway?
Observe
Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus tells us something of what was going on in the world at that time and also reinforces the family lineage of Jesus.
Luke 2:1-7
The Birth of Jesus Christ
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Micah 5:2
2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Luke tells us that Caesar Augustus had sent out a decree. That wasn’t the sort of thing you’d ignore back in those days, not if you wanted your head to remain firmly seated upon your shoulders. This one regarded a census (which likely meant it was about counting people for tax purposes) and it required Joseph and Mary to make what was about a four day journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Think about that level of disruption to their lives. Mary was nine months pregnant and hardly in any shape to travel. Joseph was a carpenter and if he didn’t work he wouldn’t get paid. But without this decree, Jesus would’ve been born in Nazareth. Micah 5:2 says otherwise. Was this Caesar Augustus’ decree, or was it God’s decree? Concerning the birth of Jesus, and concerning matters that affect us even today, God’s hand is often behind the hand that appears to be directing us.
- What have you experienced that seemed random or even negative at the time, which in hindsight turned out to be God’s plan and timing for you?
- Have such experiences changed how you handle adversity? If so, how?
Lord, I often chafe at the process. When I can’t see how things are going to work out, I become impatient. Yet time and time again, you have given me the gift of hindsight, to look back and see how carefully you were making the path straight before me, even though I was too caught up in my daily life to see it. Give me the patience to wait on you when things don’t make sense to me. Amen.
Day 4
The Face of God
Observe
John’s gives an interesting hybrid presenting both the story of John the Baptist foretelling the ministry of Jesus and the eternal nature of the Son of God, stretching back to before the universe existed.
John 1:1-18
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
With so many topics in a passage like this, it’s difficult to land on just one. We could spend considerable time pondering how Jesus (the Word made flesh) was the one through whom creation was made. Or we could focus on Jesus being the light of the world, full of grace and truth, dispelling darkness. But there is something John says in verse 18; in Jesus, God made himself known. Before Jesus came, no one had ever seen God. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God carefully controlled what Moses could see, protecting him from seeing too much and dying. On the other hand, people definitely could see Jesus, not to mention talk with him, or touch and embrace him. How would God react to something? What would God say about something? Read the words and the accounts of Jesus and you will know. Jesus coming into our world did something that had never been possible before, it allowed us to see the face of God.
- Among the words of Jesus or the accounts of his life, what surprises or delights you most?
- Is there anything that gives you trouble or raises questions? If so, what?
Heavenly Father, how wonderful it is to have the holy scriptures that record the words of your Son and the accounts of his life. To make yourself known, you lived as one of us. May I follow the example you have provided. Amen.
Day 5
Sons and Heirs
Observe
After writing that the law served as our guardian until Christ came, Paul explains that the coming of God’s Son has freed us from slavery to the law and made us sons and heirs of God.
Galatians 4:1-7
Sons and Heirs
4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 3:23-29
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
First, a matter of linguistic housekeeping. Paul uses gendered language when he refers to sons here, but the meaning is clearly “one who inherits,” that is, an heir. In that day, this was indeed always a man, but Paul makes clear elsewhere in this same letter (Galatians 3:28) that in Jesus there is neither male nor female; we are one in him, with equal standing.
Paul is writing here about the essential purpose of why Jesus came. The “fullness of time” mentioned in verse 4 refers to the time appointed by the father when the sons become heirs (verse 2), but also carries the idea of completeness. Jesus came at the right time, when all the prophecies said he would, but also to complete God’s plan of redemption. Being born as one of us (under the law, just as we all are), yet unlike any of us Jesus kept the law perfectly and fulfilled it in every respect. His horribly undeserved death on the cross was enough to satisfy the requirements of the law for all who believe in him. Through him, therefore, we are the adopted heirs of God.
- What influence did God’s laws have in your life before you came to faith? What about now?
- If you discovered you were heir to a vast fortune, how would it change the way you lived, even before you inherited it?
Lord, how marvelous is your grace! You gave us the gift of your Son, you give us the gift of faith necessary for salvation, and you adopt us so we might become heirs. Grant that the reality of this spiritual blessing in the heavenly places would inspire the lives we lead now. Amen.