His Kingdom Will Never End

Luke 1:26-38

Key Verses: 32-33

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

I. You who are highly favored (1:26-31)

1. Look at verses 26-28.  Who was Mary and what was her situation? (26-27)  What was the angel’s greeting? (28)

  

2. Look verses 29-31.  How did Mary respond? (29)  Why was she so troubled at his words? (29)  What does it mean to find favor with God? (30)  How did God show his special favor to Mary? (31)  Why is God’s favor a great blessing to us?  

II. His Kingdom will never end (1:31-38)

3. Look at verses 31-33.  What does the baby’s name “Jesus” mean? (31)  Who would he become? (32)  What great promise to David did God fulfill? (2Sa 7:7:11b-13)  How different would his reign and his kingdom be from the worldly kingdom? (33, Isa 11:1-10, Dan 7:14, 18, 27)  

 

4. Look at verses 34-38.  What was Mary wondering? (34)  What answer did the angel give? (35-36)  How was this possible? (37)  What was Mary’s decision and on what did she base her decision? (38)  What can we learn from her?

His Kingdom Will Never End

Luke 1:26-38

Key Verses: 32-33

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke continues in the same style in which he has described Zechariah's encounter with the angel of the Lord. The angel Gabriel announces the news of the conception of the Son of God to Mary. 

Several themes are interwoven in this passage: (1) the divine sonship of Jesus (32, 35); (2) his messianic role and reign over the kingdom (vv.32-33); (3) God as the "Most High" (32, 35); (4) the power of the Holy Spirit (35); and (5) the grace of God (29-30, 34-35, 38).

The greatness and majesty of Christ, our spiritual King and Savior is proclaimed in this passage. He was born to die and rise from the dead to reign in the hearts of those who eat and drink of his sacrifice. He came as king to make inwardly conformed as his servants those who partake by faith of his sacrifice, saying, "May it be to me as you have said" (38).

I. You who are highly favored (1:26-31)

1. Look at verses 26-28.

ANSWER:

Luk 1:26-28  In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  27  to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.  28  The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Who was Mary and what was her situation? (26-27)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:26-27  In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  27  to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

Mary was: 1) A virgin; 2) Pledged to be married

Virgin.
Mary had not yet had sexual relations with a man. Since Jewish girls married young, it is likely that Mary was a teenager when the angel appeared to her. The young Virgin Mary contrasts with the old priest Zechariah, who was past the time for having children. 

Pledged to be married (betrothed).
In Jewish culture this was much stronger than the engagement period today. This relationship was legally binding as husband and wife, but intercourse was not permitted until marriage. Only divorce or death could sever it. 

Joseph, the man to whom Mary was betrothed, was a descendant of David. Her son Jesus was thusly a legitimate member of the royal line. This has an important bearing on the promise in verse 32b.

This happened “in the sixth month”, meaning that Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy (36, 24-25). The mention of Elizabeth's “sixth month” establishes a link between Jesus and the prophet John the Baptist (Joh 1:15; 3:28).

Gabriel was sent by God to Mary. Gabriel means ‘Man of God’. This was the angel God used to send messages of great importance to man; he was sent to Daniel (Dan 8:16; 9:21), to Zachariah (Luk 1:11, 19), and to Mary (Luk 1:26).

Nazareth was a town in Galilee: The people in Judah despised the Jews in Galilee because of their contact with the Gentiles there (Mat 4:15). They especially despised the people from Nazareth (Joh 1:46). But God in his grace chose a girl from Nazareth in Galilee to be the mother of the promised Messiah!

The Son of God chose to be born under such lowly, dishonorable circumstances. He gave up his glory and made himself nothing (Php 2:7) out of his love for us to save us.

This King chooses to be born in those who are lowly in spirit (1Co 1:27-29; Mat 5:3).

What was the angel’s greeting? (28)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:28  The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

(See the above underlined text)

“highly favored”.
She was “highly favored” because God chose her to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah – the mother of the Redeemer of mankind. This was a high honor. Long before this, his coming had been predicted (Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14); long had the eyes of the nation been turned to him. She, among all women, received this great privilege to bring the Messiah into the world.

Those who hear Christ’s word and obey it are more blessed than Mary (Luk 11:27-28).

As Christ was conceived in Mary, so he is now conceived in the hearts of those he highly favors to savingly hear of his life-giving word (Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23; Joh 6:63; 5:25; 17:26; 14:20; Gal 4:6, 19; Eph 3:16-17). As servants of the Word, we are highly favored to be the vehicles through which this birth takes place in our Bible students.

Christ is the king who rules the hearts of those in whom he dwells (Ro 8:9; Eze 36:27). By our fruit of love and obedience, we know that he is born in us and reigns within us (1Jn 3:24). And the person in whom Christ lives has died (Gal 2:20; 2Co 5:15).

“The Lord is with you” recalls the way the angel of the Lord addressed Gideon to assure him of God’s help in the assignment he was about to receive (Jdg 6:12).

 

2. Look verses 29-31.

ANSWER:

Luk 1:29-31  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  30  But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  31  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

How did Mary respond? (29)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:29  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

(See the above underlined text)

Mary, a poor virgin in Nazareth, certainly never expected to see an angel and receive special favors from heaven.

There was nothing unique about her that such things should happen (48). 

Why was she so troubled at his words? (29)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:29  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

The angel’s words were so unexpected, so sudden, and so extraordinary, and it was so high an honor that she was filled with anxious thoughts, and did not know what to make of it.

What does it mean to find favor with God? (30)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:30  But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

The term “favor” (grace) refers to God’s unmerited kindness toward sinners.

Although she was a godly woman, it was God’s grace, not Mary’s character that made her God’s choice.

We are, like Mary, the recipients of God’s favor – of his saving grace (Eph 2:8-9; 2Ti 1:9; 1Co 1:26-29). 

How did God show his special favor to Mary? (31)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:31  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

The special favor was shown by her being selected as the mother of the Messiah. 

Why is God’s favor a great blessing to us?

ANSWER:

God’s favor consists in having conceived within us, Christ the King (Eph 3:16-17). To have living within us Christ, the great King of the heavenly kingdom, brings the blessedness of freedom from sin and power to love God and enjoy him and have his peace reigning in us (Isa 55:12-13).

God’s favor is on those who are coming to Christ for salvation (Psa 65:4; Acts 3:26; Joh 6:44).

God’s favor is the possession only of those who are in Christ and have Christ in them (Eph 1:3-4; 2:6-7; Gal 3:29, 14). Those who are not in him are under God’s eternal wrath (Joh 3:18; 2Th 1:8-9).

The favor bestowed on Mary was the greatest honor ever afforded to a woman, but at the same time it carried with it tremendous social disgrace. God’s favor comes with a cost (2Ti 3:12; Mk 10:30).

God will allow things to happen in our lives that are hard to bear and hard to understand, yet the Lord sends them our way so that we might grow in him and come to know him in a better way (Php 3:10; Ro 5:3-4; Jas 1:2-4; Heb 12:7-11).

II. His Kingdom will never end (1:31-38)

3. Look at verses 31-33.

ANSWER:

Luk 1:31-33  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  32  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,  33  and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

What does the baby’s name “Jesus” mean? (31)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:31  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

Jesus means ‘the Lord saves’ (Mat 1:21). It comes from the name Joshua (Num 13:16).

He was not to be named Joseph Junior as was the custom (Luk 1:59).

Who would he become? (32)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:32-33  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,  33  and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

The angel predicted five things about the baby:

He will be great.
His greatness is different than worldly greatness. He had power and authority but gave them things up to obey God and down his life for all sinners. This is true greatness.

He will be called the Son of the Most High.
This points to his equality with God. It shows his deity and humanity. As Mary’s son, he would be human; as the Son of the Most High, he would be the Son of God.

He will be given the throne of his father David (King). 

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
The true “house of Jacob” are those who believe in Jesus. He is to rule the hearts of all believers, all who trust in Him, those who are Abraham’s descendents by faith (Ro 4:11, 17; Gal 3:29).

His kingdom will never end. 

Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of men (Luk 17:20-21; Joh 18:36; Ro 8:9). But one day he will return and establish his righteous kingdom on earth and thereby fulfill his covenant with David (Mat 13:41-43; Isa 9:7; Rev 20:6). 

What great promise to David did God fulfill? (2Sa 7:11b-13) 

ANSWER:

2Sa 7:11b-13  "`The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you:  12  When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.  13  He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Jesus’ coming fulfilled the promise to David concerning his offspring who would reign forever (2Sa 7:13-16; 1Chr 17:11-14).

These words must have immediately reminded Mary of the promise of the LORD God to David (2Sa 7:13-16; 1Chr 17:11-14). David understood the prophecy as referring, not only to his immediate son (Solomon) who would build the temple, but also to the future Son who would rule forever. 

How different would his reign and his kingdom be from the worldly kingdom? (33; Isa 11:1-10; Dan 7:14, 18, 27)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:33  and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Isa 11:1-10  A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.  2  The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD --  3  and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;  4  but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.  5  Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.  6  The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.  7  The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.  8  The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.  9  They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.  10  In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.

Dan 7:14  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Dan 7:18  But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever -- yes, for ever and ever.'

Dan 7:27  Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'

His Kingdom will never end.

Everything that is of this world is shakable. Buildings crumble into dust, companies go into bankruptcy, our houses age and deteriorate, and worst of all, our bodies eventually wear out. But the kingdom of God lasts forever. Revolutions may destroy the kingdoms of the earth, but the powers and gates of hell and death shall never be able to overcome the kingdom of Christ (Mat 16:18; Heb 12:28). 

Jesus will reign among his people on earth until the end of time, and be their king forever in heaven. His kingdom is the only kingdom that shall never have an end. He is the only King who shall never lay aside his crown and never die. He is the only King that can defend us from all our enemies, sustain us in death, and reward us in eternity. 

Christ’s kingdom will be glorious and full of peace (Isa 11:10, 6). The kingdom of this gentle and wise Shepherd-King will be made up of men and women whose wickedness has been slain by the breath of his lips through his Spirit and word and who have been born again as his children and who have died to the love of this world and to sin and self (Isa 11:4; Joh 3:8). The choice is yours whether to live for this world which is perishing or to live for Christ and his eternal kingdom. May this King make us all wise by the counsel and education he gives by the breath of his Spirit and word and thereby give us power always to make the right choice (Isa 11:9; Joh 6:45, 65).

4. Look at verses 34-38.

ANSWER:

Luk 1:34-38  "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"  35  The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  36  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  37  For nothing is impossible with God."  38  "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

What was Mary wondering? (34)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:34  "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

Mary knew what would happen, but she did not know how it would happen. Her question was not evidence of unbelief; rather, it was an expression of faith. 

She believed the promise, but she did not understand the performance. How could a virgin give birth to a child?

The angel did not rebuke Mary, as he had rebuked Zechariah (20). This indicates that Mary did not doubt the angel's words but merely wanted to know how such an event would be accomplished. 

What answer did the angel give? (35-36)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:35-36  The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  36  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.

Gabriel explained that this would be a miracle, the work of the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus would be conceived in her by the direct power of God.

Luke mentions the Holy Spirit here and five other times in his first two chapters (Luk 1:15, 35, 41, 67; 2:25, 26). 

The word “overshadow” suggests that the cloud of the Shekinah glory – the cloud of God’s holy, powerful presence – would come upon her (Exo 40:38; Mat 17:5). 

The same Spirit who hovered over (overshadowed) the unformed earth in Gen 1:2 would overshadow Mary and give her a holy Son.

The child would be called "the holy one," both because he himself was the holy, sinless seed (Word) of the Father and because his conception was through the Holy Spirit. 

This miraculous conception and virgin birth of Jesus Christ was necessary because of his deity and preexistence (cf. Isa 7:14; 9:6; Gal 4:4; Joh 16:28).

Joseph, to whom she was betrothed, would not be the father of the child, even though Jesus would be legally identified as the son of Joseph (Mat 1:16; Luk 3:23). Rather, Jesus would be conceived by the direct agency of God the Father. Jesus is thusly the Father’s “begotten” Son with regard to his human nature. But, of course, with regard to his deity, he eternally preexisted as the Son of God before his incarnation (Joh 1:1; 17:5; Col 1:16-17; Rev 13:8).

Gabriel was careful to point out that the baby would be a "holy thing" and would not share the sinful human nature of man. 

David confessed that he was sinful from the time he was conceived (Psa 51:5). Not so with Jesus. Jesus knew no sin, he did no sin, and he had no sin (Heb 4:15; Joh 8:29; 1Jo 3:5; 1Pe 2:22; 2Co 5:21; Mic 5:2; Isa 9:6). His body was prepared for Him by the Spirit of God who "overshadowed" Mary (Heb 10:5). Mary's womb became a holy of holies for the Son of God!

The case of Elizabeth is mentioned to inspire Mary with confidence, and to assure her that what was now promised would be fulfilled. 

How was this possible? (37)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:37  For nothing is impossible with God."

With God, all things are possible; nothing is impossible with him (Mat 19:26).

What was Mary’s decision and on what did she base her decision? (38)

ANSWER:

Luk 1:38  "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Mary willingly submitted to God's plan, calling herself the Lord's servant. Her believing response was to surrender herself to God as his willing servant. 

She called herself the Lord’s “servant”, meaning female slave. This shows how much Mary trusted God that this was a high favor and high honor (Joh 12:26). Because of her faith in his goodness and love, she could submit to the Lord and make this daring choice.

She experienced the grace of God and believed the Word of God, and therefore she could be used by the Spirit to accomplish the will of God.

She belonged totally to the Lord, body (Luk 1:38), soul (Luk 1:46), and spirit (Luk 1:47). What an example for us to follow!

She accepted the cost that accompanied God’s high favor. 

She surrendered her right to enjoy her future husband. The center of her attention was now going to be the baby Jesus rather than serving her dream husband and family.

She risked being stoned for adultery for breaking the 4^th commandment (Deut 22:23-24) and risked being exposed to shame and ridicule. She allowed her marriage to be jeopardized by this pregnancy (Mat 1:19). Yet God would surely vindicate her character in due season (Psa 37:5-6). 

How much are we willing to risk for our Lord? Would we risk our reputation if God clearly asked us to do so? Is he worthy in our eyes even of such a sacrifice?

What can we learn from her?

ANSWER:

Her submission to God characterizes those who truly believe in the high favor of the calling to a life surrendered to the Lordship of Christ our Savior (Php 3:8). 

If anyone would have the high favor of this glorious King being conceived in their heart, they must surrender their life and offer it to God with the determination to die to self and to this world (Ro 12:1-2; Joh 12:25; 2Co 5:15; Luk 14:33). They must lay hold with holy violence of the means of saving grace  (Luk 13:24; Mat 11:12; Ro 8:13).

We also ought to hold our identity as the Lord’s servant and obey him, remembering the grace of his sacrifice. Yet, with supreme vanity we can say, "I am the Lord's servant". We can say these words in denial of the reality of our sinful condition and denial of the very reason Jesus came to be born and die.

Let us not forget that Jesus came to be born as king for a nation that had failed the first covenant established by Moses. Christ was born of a woman and born under law to redeem those who had failed the first covenant of law, who had failed to keep their end of the contract (Gal 4:4-5; Heb 9:15-17). He came to reign as king according to a new covenant established on the cross (Mat 26:28); he came to establish a covenant of grace wherein the Lord's righteous requirements are met by the power of his sacrifice. The foundation of our relationship with him is not our performance as his servants -- that which we rely on is not our flesh (Jer 17:5; 1Jo 4:15-16a). We have entered a new relationship with the Lord as his servants founded on the glory of his Son -- founded on his love and grace and the power of what Christ accomplished on the cross -- a relationship in which our inner being is crucified and made alive by his blood sacrifice -- a relationship in which we no longer live but our King lives in us (Jer 31:33; Php 2:13; Eze 36:26-27).

Those who say with vainglory in their heart, "I am the Lord's servant", will sooner or later have to learn as did Peter on the night of his Master's betrayal that they are weak servants of sin for whom Christ had to suffer (Luk 1:51; 1Co 10:12; Pro 3:34; Joh 13:38; Mat 26:34, 75). Our absolute dependence is on him who came to make us inwardly free from the flesh and from law as the Lord's servant (Ro 7:5-6; 1Co 15:56-57; Ro 2:29; Php 3:3).

We are the servants of this great King who take the bread of his bodily sacrifice and eat of it, saying, "May it be to me as you have said".

He who was conceived in Mary for the sake of being sacrificed and to rise from the dead as the great King now reigns in the hearts of those who count themselves as great sinners who must daily eat of his sacrifice (Joh 6:55; Mat 6:11; 9:12; 18:4; Luk 1:48). His true servants serve him in the new way of the Spirit, and believe and know of the greatness of his grace and of his sacrifice and of its great transformative power, and partake of that sacrifice with the cry in their heart, "May it be to me as you have said.". He who was born to offer himself as the bread of life shall be satisfied (Isa 53:11) and make us inwardly conformed by that sacrifice into his likeness as his Spirit comes to dwell and illuminate and reign within us. He came to make us learners of him (disciples), and to give birth within us of new holy desire, led by his Spirit inwardly to love and exalt and worship and serve and obey him as his servants to make disciples of others. The cry of our heart by the Spirit is, "Abba, Father, may it be to me as you have said; make me forever more your servant" (Deut 15:16-17; Ro 8:15; 6:6-7; Gal 2:20).

 They, in fact, married very young: “The usual age for a girl’s betrothal was between twelve and twelve and a half (Bill. II, 374); but there is incontestable evidence of betrothals and marriages at an even earlier age (p. 363 n. 26).” (Joachim Jeremias, Jerusalem in the time of Jesus: an investigation into economic and social…, Pg 365)

 This is reflected in Mat 1:19 where Joseph is called her “husband” and “divorce” was the means he considered to break off the betrothal. Mat 1:19 reads, “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Jeremias states, “The betrothed woman is called ‘wife’, can become a widow, be put away by divorce and punished with death for adultery (Bill. II, 393ff. has the evidence). ...But it is only with the marriage itself; which ordinarily took place one year after betrothal (M. Ket. v.2), that the girl definitely passed from her father’s power to her husband’s (M. Ned. x.5). ” (Joachim Jeremias, Jerusalem in the time of Jesus: an investigation into economic and social…, Pgs 367-368)

 The word Gabriel in Greek is from the Hebrew word (H1403) גַּברִיאֵל Gabriy'el (gab-ree-ale') meaning, “1. man of God; and 2. Gabriel, an archangel; [from H1397 and H410]” (Jonathan Kristen Mickelson, Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries)  But there is no single definition: “The etymology of the name is disputed, meaning “God is my Warrior” or perhaps “Man of God.”” (David Noel Freedman, Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible, Pg 474). The word is actually a concatenation of two terms: geber (H1397) and el (H410). The word geber (gheh'-ber) means, “1. (properly) a valiant man or warrior; 2. (generally) a person simply”. The word el (H410) means, “1. strength; 2. (as adjective) mighty; 3. (especially) the Almighty (but used also of any deity)”. Arising from these two terms, come a wide variety of alternative meanings of this name Gabriel. It can mean: "warrior of God", "hero of God" (Andrew Robert Fausset, Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Subject: Gabriel), “champion of God” (M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Subject: Gabriel), “God is my strength”, “God is my hero”, “God is my Warrior”, etc. 

 “The northern part of Upper Galilee was inhabited by a mixed race of Jews and pagans (Jdg 1:33). Its Israelite population was carried away captive to Assyria and was replaced by a colony of pagan immigrants (2Ki 15:29; 17:24), hence called “Galilee of the nations” or “Gentiles” (Isa 9:1; Mt 4:13, 15-16). During and after the captivity, the predominant mixture of Gentile races impoverished the worship of Judaism. For the same reason the Gallican accent and dialect were noticeably peculiar (Mt 26:73). This caused the southern Jews of purer blood and orthodox tradition to despise them (Jn 7:52).” (Kevin Green, Zondervan All-in-One Bible Reference Guide, Subject: Galilee)

 The word “favor” comes from G5485 χάρις charis (khar'-ece) which means, “1. graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act; 2. (especially) the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; and 3. (also) gratitude”  (Jonathan Kristen Mickelson, Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries)

 “The Greek form of the name Ihsous, which was translated into Latin as Jesus, is the same as the Hebrew Yeshua (Joshua), which means “Yahweh saves” (Yahweh is typically rendered as “Lord” in the OT). It was a fairly common name among Jews in 1st century Palestine, as references to a number of people by this name in the LXX and Josephus indicate.”  (Biblical Studies Press, New English Translation, 2006) “Noun: Ihsous, GK 2652 (S 2424), 917x. The name Ihsous is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name “Joshua.” Two OT figures named Joshua provide intriguing foreshadowings of Jesus Christ. First is Moses’ godly successor, who led Israel through the Jordan River and into the promised land of Canaan (see the relationship between these two in Heb. 4:6-11). Second is the high priest at the time of Israel’s return from exile: Zech. 3:8 states that this Joshua (or “Jesus” in the Greek translation of the OT) is a symbol of the coming Messiah. The name lèsous was common among Jews at the time of Jesus Christ and prior to the first century (for other individuals named JoshualJesus. see. e.g., Neh. 3:19: possibly Mt. 27: 16f; Lk. 3:29 Col. 4: 11). The personal name given to Jesus is an especially appropriate one for the Messiah to hear since its Hebrew antecedent. Joshua, means “The LORD [Yahweh] is salvation.” The words of the angel to Joseph in Mt. 1:21 emphasize this very point: “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who will save his people from their sins.” (William D. Mounce, Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Word: Jesus)

 The NAS translation of verse 38 uses the word “bondslave”. The word “servant” comes from G1399 δούλη doule (dou'-lay) meaning, “1. a female slave (involuntarily or voluntarily)” (Jonathan Kristen Mickelson, Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries) “Traditionally, “handmaid”; Grk “slave woman.” Though δούλη (doulh) is normally translated “woman servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free woman serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times… in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v. δοῦλος). The most accurate translation is “bondservant,” sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος (doulos), in that it often indicates one who sells himself or herself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.” (Biblical Studies Press, New English Translation, 2006)

 HIS KINGDOM WILL NEVER END

 

Luke 1:26-38

Key Verse 1:33

 

Merry Christmas! This year we thank God that the Lord has given us the opportunity to hear from Luke, for Luke made a research and wrote down in an orderly manner the things that have been fulfilled, that is, God’s promise to save men into His presence. In his gospel, Luke calls this fulfillment “the good news of God's kingdom”.  

 

The title of the Christmas message for today is “His kingdom will never end." In Luke's gospel,  the phrase, "the good news of the kingdom of God" is repeated 32 times. 

 

In today's passage then the angel of the Lord says that Jesus came to build a kingdom. He came to build not any kingdoms but the kingdom that is eternal. Worldly kingdoms rise and fall. They come and go. But the kingdom Jesus came to build has no end. 

 

However, although God’s kingdom is eternal, it must first be introduced into this world so people could get in. Specifically then how did the Lord God usher his kingdom into the world of man? 

 

Part I. To a virgin.

 

God ushered his kingdom into this world by first giving a woman named Mary a great victory of faith. 

 

One might wonder, "Why did Luke put the woman first, in his narrative of the beginning of the work of the gospel?” 

 

According to Luke 1:1, we can say that it was to fulfill what God had promised to do, that is, to send the Savior who is called the offspring of woman. Then the question becomes "Why does the Savior have to be called “woman’s ['her'] offspring?" I think we can find the answer to this question from the context in which the promise was given, that is, the conversation between the Lord God and the serpent. Let us read Genesis 3:14-15. In this passage the Lord God is talking to the serpent which is an instrument of Satan. The serpent deceived the woman into disobeying God. She became the victim of the devil's deception. But the Lord God is going to turn the table around that the victory should come from woman Satan deceived.  

 

Sin and death came through the woman falling first. But the Lord began to work on the woman to restore God’s kingdom for all who come from the offspring of woman. For this reason God sent an angel who helped Mary to open her heard and accept God’s plan to send the Savior to this world.  

 

Practically though it was not easy for Mary to accept the mission. She was pledged to marry. She was a virgin. She did not know any man. Yet, she was to bear a child, even before coming together with Joseph. In Jewish custom the pledge of marriage was as binding as the formal marriage. Once a couple is pledged to marry they are called wife and husband, and they must keep themselves faithful to each other. If a wife sleeps with another man and becomes pregnant, she is to be stoned to death. In order to accept the mission she had to risk her life. Yet, as we will see further, thanks to the Lord's help, she opened her heart. She accepted the mission saying, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you had said.” 

 

This is the victory the Lord gave her. She found herself as the Lord's servant, not the servant of any one such as Joseph. Mary who accepted the mission stands in strong contrast with the first woman Eve. Eve disobeyed God’s command. Then she became the woman with a cursed desire, for after the fall, the Lord God said to Eve, "Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." 

 

A blessed woman with blessed desire to serve the Lord produces blessed people bearing blessed fruit - her friends, her husband, if she marries a man, her children, grand-children, and beyond. The other side of the coin is also true. A woman with a cursed desire cause havoc to many. No matter where she goes she ends up becoming a source of problem. And we should not underestimate the importance of woman, for when Eve fell, it took only a few seconds that Adam fell. We see the same phenomenon repeating again and again. Today's message has to do with a kingdom. In regard to a kingdom or a nation, it is the women who cause a kingdom to rise or fall. History tells it better, for when King David became a peeping tom, and messed up with the woman married to another man, his kingdom started to go squeaky. By the time his son Solomon came, despite him to be as wise as he is said to be, due to him getting involved in women with a cursed desire, the kingdom was divided, and then was no more. And the same story is repeated again and again. 

 

But we thank God for the victory given to Mary. She found herself as the Lord's servant. With a humble attitude she accepted the mission to serve the Lord. Thank God for Mary! In our ministry there are many women of faith like Mary. Mother Barry is one, Missionary Grace A. Lee is another, and in our ministry in Downey as well, I see many spiritual women like Mary. I also am thankful that many sisters in our ministry are growing up. They write deep testimonies. They struggle to feed sheep. I pray that the Lord would continue to bless them, that they would be filled with the love and zeal for the Lord, and serve Bible-students, so many brothers and sisters grow through their good service in the Lord.

 

Part II. To a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph.

 

God ushered his kingdom into this world by sending his Son into the 'context' of "marriage." 

 

The next question we need to ask is, "Why is it that the Savior came into this world in the context of marriage?" Again, the quick answer is, "It was to fulfill what God had already promised, that is, to send the Savior as the offspring of woman." But, it gives rise to another question, "Why in the context of some else's marriage that is, the marriage between a Jewish virgin named Mary and a Jewish bachelor named Joseph?" They were not just considering to get married. They "were" indeed married, for as I mentioned earlier the pledge of marriage is as binding as the formal marriage. 

 

Again, we go back to Genesis to find the answer, that is, the vessel that remained broken as a result of the fall. And the vessel that remains broken into pieces is the institution called marriage. The marriage is the only institution God created to carry out God's will to bless mankind. It was the only tool God gave to propagate his children. Within the context of marriage, the Lord God can help man to produce children, so they could learn of the love of God, become fruitful and increase in number, so that the whole universe would be filled with children bearing God's image. 

 

Man is the only creation to bear God's image. No other creation was given the privilege to be like God in terms of the image. Even angels, Satan included was NOT created in God's image. To bless man without a limit, instead of God making zillions of people all in one fiat of creation, God made only one person, that is, Adam, then out of Adam Eve. Then God brought them together and built a house church, so beginning with that marriage, children could come out. 

 

For this very reason if your enemy destroys your marriage, your enemy can literally defeat God's purpose. But God did not allow this to happen. Although the devil caused havoc to the marriage life of the first couple, and since then many more became part of the statistics, the Lord God chose to send his Son to be born into a family of God where both Mary and Joseph chose put the Lord first and work together to serve the Lord's purpose first. 

 

Remember how the Lord was with Joseph, for through God's grace he was a righteous person. On learning of Mary's pregnancy, still in obedience to the Lord's instruction, he brought Mary home. And along with her, he served the Lord providing for the Lord Jesus a home. Still in Nazareth today there is a memorial church standing on the place where Joseph maintained his carpentry. This church is adorned with a lot of ark work showing the family life of Joseph and Mary where they nurtured the baby Jesus to grow. These pictures carry one important message: the picture of godly family, for at the center the marriage life between Mary and Joseph there is always Jesus growing up, first in a mother's womb, then as a tiny baby, they young boy, until Jesus grew to be about 30. The paintings, murals, and sculptures found in that church teach us the key to maintaining a blessed marriage, that is, Jesus at the center. In this generation where an increasing number of marriages are added to the statistics of broken marriages, the good news that our Lord Jesus was born into a godly couple, Mary and Joseph, is truly encouraging. 

 

Part III. His kingdom will never end.

 

God ushered his kingdom into this world by sending his Son who himself is the builder of God’s kingdom. 

 

Now let us think about Jesus, the baby to be born into the family. In his conversation with Mary the angel of the Lord revealed three things about the child she was called to bear: 1) the name Jesus; 2) his origin, that is, the son of the Most High; and 3) His kingdom will never end. 

 

The three revelations on Jesus have one thing in common, that is, the child to be born is uniquely qualified to build God's kingdom. The name Jesus means the one who will save people from their sins. Due to sin man lost God's kingdom. Jesus came to resolve the cause that cost man his relationship with God. Jesus is the Son of the Most High so he can lead man to the life with the Most High. The kingdom Jesus came to build is free of sin. So it endures forever. This is indeed the good news of good news. 

 

The conversation between the angel and Mary deals with technical issues. Mary was a virgin, so she did not know how a virgin can bear a child. The angel clarified that it will happen according to the power of God who works through the Holy Spirit, for with God, nothing is impossible. 

 

Yet this conversation convinces us to truly believe in and rejoice for the good news of God’s kingdom, for although on our own we cannot enter God’s kingdom, as we put trust in the Savior born of virgin, through the work of the Spirit and according to the power of God with him nothing is impossible, we can rest assured that certainly he is able to build His kingdom within us so we would have the joy of the life in his eternal kingdom. 

 

Mary was deeply convicted. The angel's encouraging news on what happened to her relative Elizabeth was particularly convincing. Mary then opened her heart, and said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." 

 

In conclusion, we thank and praise the Lord God who sent our Lord Jesus to build His kingdom which is eternal. We thank and praise God who restores God's kingdom by granting the victory of faith to a woman named Mary. We thank God for choosing to be born into a family of Mary and Joseph, so through this humble incarnation, he could give us the hope to redeem the marriage, and the family back to God. We thank God who sent Jesus and through him invites all peoples on earth to His eternal kingdom. 

 

One word: his kingdom will never end