Session 6: The Coming

Session Overview

Creedal Statement

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ
his only begotten Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell [to the dead];
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and
sits on the right hand of God
the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge
the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body; and
the life everlasting.
Amen.

Key Elements

• Key Passage - Luke 1:1–2:21
• Scripture Memory - But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4–5
• Catechism - Q: Who came to fulfill God’s promises? A: Jesus.

Introduction

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Not only do we know God by Jesus Christ alone, but we know ourselves only by Jesus Christ. We know life and death only through Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus Christ, we do not know what is our life, nor our death, nor God, nor ourselves.

God rightly judges the world because of its sin, and he graciously promises to save those who fully devote themselves to him in faith and repentance. Good news of salvation is announced in the midst of a severe pronouncement of judgment. Foundational to the Christian faith is the fact that God rescues those who face his own divine retribution. As much as God’s righteous character demands an accounting for sin, his extravagant grace works salvation for desperate sinners who express complete and total dependence upon God. God’s promise of salvation is fully realized in Jesus Christ. In fact, all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus, God’s eternal Son. In Jesus, there is forgiveness of sin, freedom from oppression, release from captivity, relief from the curse, reconciliation with God, cleansing from shame, and escape from condemnation.

God does not fulfill his salvation promise by remaining distant or uninvolved in the human predicament. Exhibiting true love, God enters into human heartache. For God, the announcement of a salvation promise is a commitment to accomplish salvation with his outstretched arms of grace and mercy. In short, God fulfills his promise to his people by entering into the hardship of humanity. He comes near. He draws close. He breaks through. In fact, God visited sinful humanity by taking on human flesh. Remaining untainted by sin, God secured salvation for his own by sending his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. The uncreated Son of God became fully human—while maintaining his full deity—to redeem humanity (and creation) from the burden of the curse. Since humans could never arrange for their own salvation, God needed to enter into our situation to secure the redemption we so desperately needed. Importantly and helpfully, the Scripture records Christ’s coming to earth as a culmination of God’s redemptive work.

The account of Jesus’ birth is recorded in Luke 1:1–2:21. This detailed and moving narrative accurately bears witness to Jesus’ person and work. In addition, it exemplifies model discipleship for those who pledge themselves to Christ in full allegiance. Luke’s prologue highlights the well-researched reliability of the account. An angelic messenger announced the birth of John the Baptist, a prophetic forerunner to Christ whose ministry revealed both the divine fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation and the need for God’s people to prepare themselves to receive Christ. When the same angelic messenger announced the birth of Christ, we learn about who Christ is and why God sent him to earth. Throughout the narrative, we observe various responses to Jesus: fear, joy, devotion, surprise, contemplation, ignorance, and worship. In fact, two poetic sections—one from John’s father and one from Jesus’ mother—record hymns of praise to God for his mighty works of salvation. Finally, the narrative records the humble birth of Jesus, the resplendent appearing of angelic hosts, and the worshipful response of shepherds.

Devotion to Christ is central to the life of faith. Christ’s coming to earth embodied the fulfillment of God’s ancient covenant promises, the glorious escape from divine judgment, and the only hope of salvation from sin. As much as heavenly messengers announced the glory of Jesus, the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth emphasized his humility. Herein lies the incomparable mystery and beauty of the incarnation: the eternal Son of God becoming fully human. In Jesus Christ, we meet God’s eternal and uncreated Son as a lowly and humble baby. Becoming fully human in his birth, Jesus remained completely equal with God the Father. Fully God and fully man, majesty married meekness in a mysterious but necessary union. It is through Christ’s coming as the God-Man that God would accomplish salvation, reveal the true nature of God, and pay a satisfactory debt for human sin. This was the hope of ancient Israel, and it is the faith foundation of every disciple. As we study this story, we do not look back at Jesus’ birth with mere admiration or intrigue, but with humble devotion. For the Christ of this story is the living Christ to whom, even today, we pledge allegiance in faith. Let us study this text, learning what it means to entrust ourselves to God’s Son, the Savior of the world.

Biblical Interpretation: Hearing the Word

Study the Text: The Bible is God’s inspired word to his people. Christian disciples mature in the faith when they are grounded in God’s word. In this movement, you will study the basic details of the biblical text.

Observation Questions

Read (or listen to) the whole passage of Scripture. Discuss the questions below for each section of the story. Pay attention to the details of the text to recall what the passage is saying. Use the focus verses to guide your conversation.

Storycraft

Retell the story in your own words, recounting the overall flow of the narrative, the main segments of the story, and the major developments that take place.

Narrative Elements

Story Retell

Theological Dialogue: Discussing the Plot

Explore the Text: God’s word is his trustworthy and sufficient revelation to his people. We grow as Christ’s disciples by rooting our lives in God’s unchanging truth. In this movement, you will explore vital teachings of this biblical passage.

Discussion Questions

Summarize the biblical story. As a community, discuss the following questions. Be attentive to the truths taught in this text. Use the commentary on the next pages to uncover core principles this passage teaches about the Christian faith.

Biblical Commentary

Use this commentary to help you understand the meaning of the text. Refer to the infographic on the next page to think through how narratives work.

Passage Introduction

Key Idea

Because God sent Jesus—God’s Son, the world’s King, the expected Messiah, and our Savior—as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promised plan to rescue his people from the ruin of sin and the curse of the fall, true disciples respond to him in faith, submission, blessing, witness, and worship.

Passage Overview

God has taken the initiative to rescue sinful humanity. He sent his Son to leave heaven and come to the earth to pay for our salvation. The Christian life is not a matter of working our way back to God, earning his favor with our deeds, or outdoing our bad deeds with good ones. Christianity is based upon a gift: God giving his Son for human salvation. One does not experience the blessing of a gift until it is received. Receiving Jesus as Lord, Savior, and King of your life is the only way to know all of God’s blessings. The miraculous births of John and Jesus show God’s faithfulness to fulfill his promises. The faith-filled responses of Elizabeth, Zechariah (eventually), Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds serve as exemplars to the life of faith and discipleship. As you investigate the true and historical narrative of Jesus’ birth, use the following commentary to help you understand the teachings of this passage.

Passage Outline

God’s Son Coming into the World

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.

Introduction

Some of the most precious truths of Christianity can be stated in simple phrases. God comes. God with us. God in the flesh. God dwelling with mankind. Yet, human language struggles to capture the profound reality of these foundational and basic ideas. God took the initiative toward us by sending his Son, Jesus, into the world to rescue us from sin, Satan, and condemnation. In love, God pursued his people to establish a covenant relationship with them. Gracious and merciful, God intervened in the human predicament to bring about rescue and redemption. The all-powerful God entered into human weakness in an act of unparalleled humility. God did not wait for humanity to muster enough strength to make its way to him. Instead, God acted proactively, making a redemptive move to humanity as a fulfillment of his promise to rescue fallen creation.

God’s coming to humanity should stir a response in which humans come to God in faith. Although the message of Christ’s coming is good news, some do not respond to it properly. Many things keep people from coming to Jesus. Desire for autonomy, fear of surrender, worldly enticements, crippling shame, burdensome guilt, and willful ignorance are just some reasons people remain distant from Christ. Although God has come near in Jesus, many refuse to accept Christ into their lives. As long as we keep Jesus at a distance, we can never experience the full hope of God’s promises, because Jesus himself is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises.

Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promised plan to rescue his people from sin and judgment. In Luke 1:1–2:21, we read Luke’s carefully narrated account of two miraculous births: the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Angelic messengers announced both of these births, demonstrating God’s faithfulness to fulfill his ancient promises. Both pregnancies were miraculous in that God chose to fulfill his promises through two unlikely women: an elderly, barren woman named Elizabeth and a betrothed virgin named Mary. John’s birth anticipated God’s plan of salvation coming to fruition. As a prophet, John would serve God by calling people to repentance, preparing them to receive Jesus as Lord. Jesus’ birth fulfilled God’s longstanding promise to send a deliverer. Jesus’ birth was good news for all mankind. Born in humble circumstances and celebrated by angels and shepherds alike, Jesus was born as humanity’s Savior. The narrative is punctuated by hymns of praise that teach us about God’s plan of salvation and call us to respond to Jesus in joyful worship.

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith and the climax of God’s redemptive plan. Facing divine judgment, humanity has no capacity to bring about its own salvation. Left to ourselves, we face certain and eternal condemnation. Gratefully, God did not leave us stranded in despair. God intervened in our impossible predicament by sending his Son as a gracious and strong deliverer of humanity. The coming of Christ offers hope to the suffering, forgiveness to the sinner, freedom to the oppressed, and release to the condemned. Ushering in a fundamental transformation in the world, Christ’s birth is the centerpiece upon which all of human history turns. Moreover, he is the fulcrum upon which each human life rests. One’s relationship with Jesus determines one’s eternal existence and earthly life. Consequently, exploring the person and work of Jesus in the account of his birth is crucial to our Christian faith.

Making Ready a People: Getting Prepared for Jesus’ Coming

Biblical Narrative (Luke 1:1–25)

Luke is the author of this Gospel narrative, an account that details the good news of Jesus and his saving work for humanity. At this time, accurate accounts about Jesus were “handed down … by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word” (1:2). In the early days of the church, many sought to “compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled” during Jesus’ time on earth (1:1). Luke himself composed an accurate narrative of these events. To do this, Luke “carefully investigated everything from the beginning” (1:3). Originally written to “Theophilus” (1:3), Luke’s Gospel narrative was “an orderly account” (1:3) to help people “know the certainty of the things [that] have been taught” (1:4).

The beginning of Luke’s narrative records important preparations for the coming of Christ. Luke explores these preparations by retelling the story of John the Baptist’s birth. During the time Herod was king of Judea, there lived “a priest named Zechariah” and his wife Elizabeth (1:5). They were both “righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord” (1:6). Even though they were faithful servants of God, “they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren” (1:7). Further, their prospect of having children was slim as “they were both well along in years” (1:7). By God’s grace and powerful intervention, the barren and childless situation of this family would soon radically change.

One day, Zechariah was selected to burn incense as an offering to the Lord (1:8–9). While Zechariah was inside the temple offering the incense, the people of Israel were gathered together in prayer on the outside (1:10). At this time, “an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense” (1:11). Not expecting this encounter and in the midst of performing a sacred ritual, Zechariah was “startled and gripped with fear” (1:12). The angel delivered to Zechariah a message of peace and promise. He told Zechariah not to be afraid and explained that God had answered his prayer. They would have a child: “Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John” (1:13). John would bring joy to his parents and many others (1:14) because he would “be great in the sight of the Lord” (1:15). Empowered by the Holy Spirit (1:15), he would call God’s people to turn from their sin and return to God (1:16–17). In this way, he would “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (1:17). In light of his special calling, the angel instructed Zechariah that John should “never take wine or strong drink” (1:15).

Zechariah doubted that he would have a son because he was “an old man” and Elizabeth was also “well along in years” (1:18). Even though the Old Testament bears witness otherwise, Zechariah did not think it was feasible for such an elderly couple to become pregnant. Questioning the angelic message, Zechariah asked, “How can I be sure of this?” (1:18). The angel replied to Zechariah, telling him his name—“Gabriel”—and explaining that God sent him to deliver “this good news” (1:19) to Zechariah. Uttering a subsequent word of rebuke, the angel informed Zechariah that he would “be silent” and “unable to speak until the day this comes to pass” (1:20). This judgment fell upon Zechariah because he “did not believe [the angel’s] words” (1:20). The people gathered on the outside of the temple wondered why Zechariah was in the temple for such a long time (1:21). When Zechariah came out of the temple unable to speak, “they realized he had seen a vision in the temple” (1:22). As the angel said, Zechariah “remained speechless,” only “making signs” to communicate with the people (1:23). After his service in the temple, Zechariah went home (1:23). As God promised, Elizabeth became pregnant (1:24), and she announced that “the Lord has done this” (1:25). Her pregnancy was a sign of God’s favor, which removed her “disgrace among the people” (1:25).

Biblical Principles

Fulfillment of Divine Promises. The birth of John the Baptist was a gracious and joyful fulfillment of God’s promise to a righteous couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth. In terms of accomplishing God’s larger plan of salvation, John’s birth also represented the culmination of this eternal purpose into a time of major fulfillment. By Luke’s own admission, his Gospel account recorded “the things that have been fulfilled among us” (1:1). That is, Luke’s narrative chronicled the things that God did—his gracious interventions in human history—to achieve salvation for sinners. Whereas Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive promises, John’s birth also affirmed God’s faithfulness in bringing his ancient promises to fruition. Gabriel announced that his “words … will be fulfilled at their proper time” (1:20). The birth of John to the barren Zechariah and Elizabeth was a fulfillment of a divinely announced guarantee. Gabriel told Zechariah about “the day this comes to pass” (1:20), and the word was fulfilled when “Elizabeth became pregnant” (1:24).

Certainly, the announcement of John’s birth was “good news” (1:19). Gabriel told Zechariah that his “prayer has been heard” (1:13) because the desire for a child was something about which Zechariah petitioned God. John’s birth would be “a joy and delight” (1:14) to Zechariah and “many [would] rejoice at his birth” (1:14). When Elizabeth became pregnant, she testified, “[God] has shown me favor” (1:25). The act of a gracious and kind God, the gift of a child would cause Elizabeth to exclaim that God had “taken away [her] disgrace among the people” (1:25). Not the fruit of any human accomplishment, Elizabeth asserted, “the Lord has done this for me” (1:25). Zechariah’s temporary muteness was a vivid visual; he would remain months in silence while God accomplished all that he promised. With the birth of John, joy could replace fear (1:12–14) and faith could replace doubt (1:20, 25). Luke’s diligence in researching the events surrounding Jesus’ life and death (1:1–4) highlights the fact that the fulfillment of divine promises occurred in real human history. The historicity of God’s fulfilled promises helps us to “know the certainty of the things [we] have been taught” (1:4).

Preparation for God’s Salvation. As a prophet, John the Baptist had been given an extremely specific vocation to fulfill: “he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah” (1:17). His prophetic vocation was divinely appointed and divinely empowered. John would “be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb” (1:15), and he would “be great in the sight of the Lord” (1:15). Endorsed and enabled by God, John would prepare people to receive God’s salvation in their lives. Specifically, John would prepare people for the coming of the Savior, Jesus. Later in the story, Elizabeth’s pregnancy is given to Mary as confidence that God’s promise of Jesus’ birth will come to fruition (cf. 1:36). John was sent into the world “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (1:17). John prepared people by preaching an urgent message of repentance: “many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God” (1:16). This ministry and message of repentance would “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous” (1:17).

Zechariah’s initial doubt is a warning against fearful unbelief. John’s ministry of repentance served as a warning against people who come unprepared to receive salvation in Jesus. Examples abound of people who were not prepared to meet God and receive his salvation. Pride, skepticism, and fear are some of the obstacles that obscure one’s vision of God’s saving work. Importantly, God’s promises themselves—promises given and fulfilled in verifiable human history—served to prime and prepare humanity for the sending of a Savior. The humility of a repentant spirit, a heart longing for righteousness, eager anticipation of God’s gracious intervention, and simple trust in God’s revealed word are some of the core characteristics of those who are prepared to receive Jesus as Savior. As a prophet of the Most High, John was given the task of calling people—in his day and ours—to discover God’s salvation in Christ.

You Will Conceive: Receiving the Divine Promise of Jesus’ Coming

Biblical Narrative (Luke 1:26–56)

Six months into Elizabeth’s pregnancy (1:26, 36), God sent the angel Gabriel to a virgin named Mary (1:26–27). Mary was “pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph” (1:27). Joseph was a descendant “of the house of David” (1:27). When the angel greeted Mary, he said she was “highly favored” and “the Lord is with [her]” (1:28; cf. 1:30). In response, “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be” (1:29). Like his message to Zechariah, Gabriel told Mary not to be afraid (1:30; cf. 1:13). In a sure prophetic word, the angel told her that she would become pregnant and give birth to a son (1:31). The angel instructed her to “give Him the name Jesus” (1:31), prophesying that this promised child would “be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (1:32). Jesus was more than a renowned religious figure. He was God’s eternal Son who fulfilled Old Testament promises that God would send a king and deliverer for sinful humanity. Indeed, Jesus would occupy “the throne of His father David” (1:33). As Israel’s promised king, Jesus would “reign over the house of Jacob forever” (1:33). The angel explained that, unlike the other Davidic kings who had limited reigns, Jesus’ “kingdom will never end” (1:33).

Mary asked the angel how she would become pregnant since she was a virgin (1:34). Gabriel told her that the powerful Holy Spirit would cause this to happen (1:35). The baby born to Mary would be “called the Son of God” (1:35). Mary could be certain this would take place as the angel predicted. Evidence that “no word from God will ever fail” (1:37) need only be sought in her relative Elizabeth, an elderly barren woman who miraculously became pregnant (1:36). In expressions of trust, Mary responded with devotion and submission: “I am the Lord’s servant” and “May it happen to me according to your word” (1:38).

Soon after this, Mary visited her relative Elizabeth (1:39–40). In this dramatic encounter, two unlikely women—an elderly barren woman and a young betrothed virgin—joyfully shared in the miraculous work God had recently done in their lives. When the two women met, Elizabeth’s baby joyfully “leaped in her womb” (1:41; cf. 1:44). In this moment, “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (1:41). She said that Mary and her child were blessed (1:42). Knowing that Mary carried God’s Son in her womb, Elizabeth considered herself honored that “the mother of my Lord should come to me” (1:43). Upholding Mary as a model of trust and devotion, Elizabeth said, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled” (1:45). Mary visited Elizabeth for nearly three months and eventually returned home (1:56).

An expression of her devotion and worship of God, Mary offered a hymn of praise to God (1:46–55). In this poetic word of worship, Mary magnified the Lord (1:46) and rejoiced that God was her Savior (1:47). She celebrated God’s favor and blessing in her life (1:48). In her exuberant praise, she exulted in the “great things” (1:49) and “mighty deeds” (1:51) that God had done. Mary described how God works out his redemptive plan. In holiness and power (1:49), God brings down the wicked, mighty, and rich; in mercy and grace (1:50, 54), God raises up the humble, weak, and poor (1:51–53). Mary celebrated God’s mighty work in her life (1:46–49) and for all generations (1:50–55). Amazingly, God’s promises from the time of Abraham were coming to fruition in her own life (1:55).

Biblical Principles

Fulfillment of Divine Promises. Jesus’ birth was truly miraculous. Mary was a virgin (1:27, 34). By human and biological measures, it was impossible for her to give birth to a child. Nevertheless, God promised the virgin Mary that she would “conceive and give birth to a son” (1:31) by the power of the Holy Spirit (1:35). The miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth highlights God’s full capability to fulfill his promises. The angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth reinforces this theme, revealing Jesus as the climactic and culminating fulfillment of God’s promise to save sinful humanity. Mary’s conception as a virgin evidenced God’s power. Mary’s own testimony expressed the same. Mary attested, “the Mighty One has done great things for me” (1:49) and “He has performed mighty deeds with His arm” (1:51). Testifying to God’s incomparability, Mary exclaimed about God, “Holy is His name” (1:49). The announcement and fulfillment of Jesus’ birth to the young virgin Mary emphasized God’s faithfulness to accomplish his purposes. Amazingly, “no word from God will ever fail” (1:37), and God does all “as He promised” (1:55).

Identity of Jesus. This narrative teaches many important truths about Jesus’ identity. At this point in the account, the greatness, eternality, divinity, majesty, holiness, and authority of Jesus are put on display. Clearly, Jesus is identified as great (1:32). The circumstances of his birth and the angelic announcement emphasize this greatness. His greatness, however, is only rightly understood by the fact that he is also called the Son of the Most High (1:32). In Gabriel’s announcement to Zechariah, John the Baptist was called great (cf. 1:15). Jesus’ greatness, however, eclipses John’s. John is a prophet sent from God; Jesus is the very Son of God (1:35). Jesus is God’s eternal Son who has no beginning and no end (cf. John 1:1). As such, Jesus is equal to God as Lord (1:43). As God’s Son, Jesus is distinct from God the Father and God the Spirit (1:35).

Further, as God’s Son, Jesus fulfilled God’s promise for a Davidic king to rule forever. Gabriel announced that “the Lord God will give [Jesus] the throne of His father David” (1:32; cf. 1:27). Different from all other human kings of the past, Jesus would “reign over the house of Jacob forever” (1:33). Occupying an eternal throne, Jesus’ “kingdom will never end” (1:33). Eternal Son of God, Jesus himself can rule forever, unlike other finite human kings. Jesus is King and Lord (1:43). Although Jesus is God’s Son, he was also born to Mary as a genuine human being (1:31; 2:7, 21). That Jesus was born a son of Mary (1:31) means that he was fully human while at the same time the eternal Son of God. Jesus’ birth amounted to God himself visiting humanity in the flesh. Certainly, he is the Holy One in the form of a human person (1:35). By his very name, Jesus is the agent of God’s salvation (1:31; cf. 1:47).

God’s Saving Work. The coming of Jesus embodied God’s saving work on behalf of sinful humanity. This hope of salvation in Jesus is an offer of salvation to all generations (1:48, 50). Reminding us that God’s promise of salvation is ancient, Mary’s song proclaimed the fulfillment of God’s promise “to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever” (1:55; cf. 1:54). God’s salvation is an act of grace to humanity: to Mary (1:28, 30, 48) and to the whole world (1:50, 54–55). All true blessing revolves around one’s relationship to Christ (1:42, 45, 48). In the coming of Jesus, God’s “mercy extends to those who fear Him” (1:50). God exalts the humble (1:52), feeds the hungry (1:53), helps his people (1:54), and acts in mercy (1:54). Mary’s expressive psalm of worship praised God for his powerful, merciful, and faithful salvation of his people. She realized that the birth of Jesus meant that God was keeping the promise he had made long ago to rescue his people and restore all of creation. This promise would then be offered to all humanity in all cultures and in all generations who would receive Jesus in genuine faith and devotion.

Appropriate Responses to Jesus. Those who respond rightly to Jesus receive God’s gracious salvation. In contrast to Zechariah’s initial reaction (1:18–23), Mary is a model of responding rightly to the revelation of divine salvation. Upon the announcement of Jesus’ birth, Mary recalled her “humble state” (1:48; cf. 1:52). The humble and meek—those who recognize their undeserving and weak condition—are the candidates ready to receive salvation. Helping people prepare in this way was part of John’s prophetic work (cf. 1:16–17). In contrast with saving the humble, God “scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts” (1:52) and “sent the rich away empty” (1:54). Genuine humility expressed itself in faithful trust. Although she did not understand how God would accomplish his purposes, Mary entrusted herself to God’s word. She not only “believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled” (1:45) but she was also among those “who fear [God]” (1:50). In this way, Mary had a simple but bold confidence for God to do “as He promised” (1:55). Expressing her confident faith in God’s special revelation, Mary exclaimed, “May it happen to me according to your word” (1:38).

Mary’s humility and faith shaped her self-understanding as a submissive servant of God: “I am the Lord’s servant” (1:38; cf. 1:48, 54). Rather than trouble (1:29) and fear (1:30), the coming of Jesus brings joy for those who respond in faith. John the Baptist (as an unborn infant) (1:44) and Mary (1:47) both responded in great joy at the conception of Jesus. Their joy-filled response is commended to us. Joy in Christ is enthusiastic—“the baby in my womb leaped for joy” (1:44)—and exultant—“my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (1:47). When one is overflowing with joy that God comes to save his people, the only appropriate response is worship. In this vein, Mary spoke a song of worship in which her soul magnified and exalted God (1:46). Her example is a depiction of basic discipleship: worship and submission to God out of an overflowing joy that God has fulfilled his promises by providing salvation for his people.

God Has Visited: Seeing God’s Plan Come to Fruition

Biblical Narrative (Luke 1:57–80)

Faithful to his word, God fulfilled his promise to Zechariah and Elizabeth. Eventually, “the time came for Elizabeth to have her child” (1:57). As God said, “she gave birth to a son” (1:57). Great joy surrounded the birth of Elizabeth’s son. When the baby was born, “neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her” (1:58). At this time, Zechariah still could not speak. Many suggested that Elizabeth follow the custom of the day and name the child “after his father Zechariah” (1:59). Although Elizabeth said the baby’s name should be John (1:60), the people objected since none of Elizabeth’s relatives were named John (1:61). People signed to Zechariah to learn his wishes for the child’s name (1:62). In an act of obedience and renewed faith that amazed the bystanders, Zechariah wrote on a tablet, “His name is John” (1:63). At that very moment, “Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released” (1:64). Now able to speak, Zechariah praised God (1:64) and everyone was amazed (1:65). The news of this spread throughout the region, and people wondered what special role this child would have in God’s work (1:65–66). It was clear that “the Lord’s hand was with him” (1:66).

As Mary responded with a hymn of praise, so Zechariah expressed worship of God in a powerful and prophetic poem that testified to God’s mighty work (1:67–79). Zechariah blessed God for fulfilling his ancient promises and remaining faithful to his covenant pledge (1:68–75). God provided for his people redemption (1:68), salvation (1:69), deliverance from enemies (1:71, 74), and mercy (1:72). A holy and righteous God (1:75), God redeemed his people so that they might “serve Him without fear” (1:73). The history of God’s redemptive work was being fulfilled at the time John was born. John would be a prophet (1:76) who would prepare people for God’s salvation (1:76–77). John’s prophetic ministry would be an expression of God’s mercy (1:78) to guide his people “into the path of peace” (1:79). Fulfilling this prophetic calling on his life, John “grew and became strong in spirit” and “lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel” (1:80).

Biblical Principles

Prophetic Fulfillment. John’s birth was an occasion of joy (1:58), worship (1:64, 68), awe (1:65), and wonder (1:66). Although Elizabeth certainly experienced great joy and honor (1:39–45, 58), the main focus of this part of the narrative is the response of the neighbors, relatives, and Zechariah. What Elizabeth had known in faith, these others experienced when God’s promise blossomed into full bloom. Bearing eyewitness testimony to God’s mighty deeds (cf. 1:1–4, 49, 51), the neighbors, relatives, and residents in the area (1:65–66) represented the undeniable fact that God had clearly accomplished his purposes in human history. Fulfilling his promises in the world, God was accomplishing what he “spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past” (1:70). In fact, God’s word was an reliable “oath He swore to … father Abraham” (1:73). Therefore, by fulfilling his promise, God did in fact “remember His holy covenant” (1:72).

Zechariah also responded with an inspired prophecy (1:67) that attested to God’s work of salvation (1:68–79). Clearly, John was not the Savior promised to humanity. Rather, he was a prophetic announcement that God’s Savior had come. Therefore, inasmuch as his prophetic ministry prepared people for the coming of Jesus (1:76), his birth represented an imminent fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation. As Zechariah came to terms with God’s redemptive work, Zechariah’s doubt was transformed into committed faith, resilient obedience, and expressive worship. When his temporary handicap of muteness was removed, Zechariah bore witness to God’s work of salvation.

Salvation. The overwhelming theme of this passage is God’s deliverance and salvation. All this salvation is an act of God’s grace and mercy. God has not only shown “great mercy” (1:58) to Elizabeth but also “tender mercy” (1:78; cf. 1:72) to his people. The coming of John foreshadowed the coming of Jesus, in whom salvation is possible. In Jesus, God “visited and redeemed His people” (1:68) and “raised up a horn of salvation” (1:69). God’s people can echo the truth that Jesus brings “salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us” (1:71) and “[grants] us deliverance from hostile hands” (1:73–74). God’s deliverance amounts to redemption. Divine deliverance through Christ is “the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins” (1:77). In this way, Jesus is the Light of the World: “the Dawn [who] will visit us from on high, to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (1:78–79).

For those who receive God’s salvation, God liberates them to a whole new way of life. Saved and delivered in Christ, we can “serve [God] without fear” (1:74). Liberated from sin, believers can live “in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives” (1:75). Salvation for sinful humans is an act of divine love and compassion. Ancient in its origin, the promise of Jesus’ coming culminates in God’s divine “mercy to our fathers” (1:72). As recipients of God’s merciful salvation, Jesus’ disciples are empowered to live a godly lifestyle. Only by faith in Christ can sinners embody devotion to God and godliness of character in a life of obedience and submission. Relevant in all generations and cultures, Jesus remains the only source of salvation from sin, death, and darkness.

The Time Came: Confessing Jesus as Savior and Lord

Biblical Narrative (Luke 2:1–21)

At this time, Caesar Augustus was the ruler of Rome (2:1) and “Quirinius was governor of Syria” (2:2). Caesar decreed that “a census should be taken of the whole empire” (2:1). The imperial edict required each person to return to their “own town to register” for the census (1:3). Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for the census. Joseph went to Bethlehem because “he was from the house and line of David” (2:4). Mary traveled with him because she “was pledged to him in marriage” and because she “was expecting a child” (2:5). In Bethlehem, Mary came to the full term of her pregnancy (2:6) and “she gave birth to her firstborn” (2:7). Since there was “no room for them in the inn” (2:7), Mary had to deliver her baby in an area where animals were kept. As God promised through the angel Gabriel, the baby was “a Son” (2:7; cf. 1:31). After Mary delivered the baby, “she wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger” (2:7).

At the time of Jesus’ birth, “there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night” (2:8). God announced the birth of Jesus to these shepherds. An angel appeared to these shepherds and God’s glory shone brightly around them (2:9). This caused the shepherds to be greatly afraid: “they were terrified” (2:9). Like the message to Zechariah and Mary, the angel told the shepherds not to be afraid (2:10; cf. 1:13, 30). The angel announced to the shepherds “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (2:11). He told them, “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you” (2:11). Identifying the Savior to the shepherds, the angel exclaimed, “He is Christ the Lord!” (2:11). The angel instructed the shepherds that they would know this baby as it would be “wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (2:12; cf. 2:7).

A large quantity of angels—“a great multitude of the heavenly host” (2:13)—also appeared at that time. The celestial beings praised God with the laudatory confession, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!” (2:14). The angels left, and the shepherds decided to go visit the child (2:15). They quickly found Mary and Joseph and met the child “lying in the manger” (2:16) as the angel had said. Sharing this great news with others, the shepherds “spread the message they had received about [Jesus]” (2:17). This message was of profound significance. People were amazed by the shepherds’ report (2:18) and Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (2:19). Everything happened to the shepherds “just as the angel had told them” (2:20). God had been reliable and faithful to his revealed word. As the shepherds returned, they were “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (2:20). Obedient to God’s word, Mary and Joseph named the child Jesus, as the angel commanded them (2:21; cf. 1:31). They also circumcised him on the eighth day, according to God’s law (2:21; cf. 1:59; Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3).

Biblical Principles

Fulfillment. Once again, the theme of fulfillment appears in this story. Through the many details of this narrative, God brought his ancient promises to fruition. Mary gave birth to Jesus as God had promised (2:6–7; cf. 1:31). So significant were these events, they could be spoken of as “this thing that has happened” (2:15; cf. 1:1). More than random events, the birth of Jesus was that which “the Lord has made known” (2:15). The things that people “had heard and seen” (2:20; cf. 1:2) were based upon God’s revealed word (2:20; cf. 2:18). These fulfilled events were accompanied by the glory of God (2:9, 14), an angelic messenger (2:9–10, 13), and “a great multitude of the heavenly host” (2:13). Spectacular and extraordinary were the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. Through Jesus, God was accomplishing his ancient promise of salvation, bringing “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (2:10).

Jesus’ Identity. We learn about Jesus’ identity from his birth narrative. Emphasizing Jesus’ genuine humanity, the story records that Mary gave birth to “her firstborn, a Son” (2:7). Born as a human baby, Jesus was swaddled and laid in a manger (2:7; cf. 2:12, 16). Although he was conceived miraculously in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was fully human. More than a mere human, however, Jesus was also “Christ the Lord” (2:11). Promised Messiah and divine Lord, Jesus is the Savior of humanity. The angel testified that “a Savior has been born” (2:11). Fully God and fully man, Jesus is the Savior of the world for all who believe in him. Fulfilling the angelic proclamation, Jesus is the embodiment of the glory of God, the peace of God, and the favor of God (2:14).

Responses. Surrounding the events of Jesus’ birth are various responses to the miraculous events. Read reflectively, these responses cause readers in all generations to consider how they will respond to Jesus. In a response of worship, the angelic host appeared “praising God” (2:13). Similarly, the shepherds returned to their fields “glorifying and praising God” (2:20) when they met Jesus and learned all that God had done. After the visit from the shepherds, Mary was filled with an earnest meditation on what had happened. She “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (2:19). Eight days after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph named the baby Jesus, “the name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived” (2:21; cf. 1:31). They also circumcised Jesus according to Old Testament law. In these acts of obedience, they received Jesus as God’s agent of salvation. Unlike Zechariah, handicapped with temporary muteness, the shepherds could not remain silent about Jesus’ birth. Acting as some of the first evangelists, the shepherds “spread the message they had received about Him” (2:17). People who heard the report about Jesus responded with amazement and astonishment (2:18). God’s work of redemption was coming to fruition, and it was creating a swell of joy and awe for those who longed for his coming.

Conclusion

The masterful narrative of Jesus’ birth is filled with angelic announcements, surprise encounters, hymns of praise, miraculous births, and fulfilled prophecies. Although the narrative focuses on the experiences of Elizabeth and Mary, the experiences of each of these women direct our attention to the central characters of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. When we learn about the unique purpose of John’s own life and ministry, the major emphasis of the entire narrative becomes clear: Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promises of salvation and deliverance.

We learn much about Jesus from a study of his birth. Jesus is God’s eternal Son. When he entered into the world, he took on human flesh. Fully human and fully God, Jesus is simultaneously distinct from God the Father and God the Holy Spirit but also equal with God as Lord. As God’s one and only Son, Jesus is the eternal God in human flesh. Born in the lineage of David, Jesus is the promised King who rules in righteousness and justice. Jesus is the Christ, the prophesied Messiah that God said he would send to deliver people from their sin. The embodiment of good news and true to his name, Jesus is the Savior of fallen humanity. He brings forgiveness of sin, freedom from oppression, release from captivity, relief from the curse, reconciliation with God, cleansing from shame, and escape from condemnation. Coming to the earth in humility, he calls us to trust him in humble faith.

Session Synopsis

SESSION 6 SYNOPSIS
Jesus Christ	In this passage, we learn about Jesus Christ. God sent his one and only Son, Jesus, to come to earth to rescue sinners from God’s judgment. Jesus’ birth was predicted by Old Testament prophets, announced by angelic messengers, and foretold by John the Baptist. This was good news of salvation for sinners. The Bible records a faithful historical account of two miraculous births: John the Baptist, born to the elderly Elizabeth, and Jesus, born to the virgin Mary. People responded to the announcement of Jesus’ birth in different ways. The record of his birth reveals much about Jesus, both his person and work. It also teaches us about the nature of Christian discipleship. A summary of this story’s principles is outlined below.
God’s Work in Human History	God works out his plan of redemption in human history, across the generations (1:48, 50). God sent his Son to earth, born as a human, in order to rescue humans from their sin. The account about Jesus is historically reliable and has many trustworthy eyewitness accounts (1:1–4; 2:1–7).
Christ and the Fulfillment of Prophecies	God prophesied about the coming of Jesus. In advance, messengers foretold God’s plan of salvation (1:28–33, 25–38, 67–79). God fulfilled many of his promises when Jesus was born (1:20, 45, 54–55, 70–75; 2:4–7, 10–20). These fulfilled prophecies were evidence of God accomplishing his redemptive work in the world (1:1, 68–69, 71–72, 74; 2:15, 17, 20). John the Baptist was one prophet who prepared people for the coming of Jesus (1:13–17, 76–79).
Jesus Christ’s Person, Character, and Identity	Jesus is the eternal Son of God who has no beginning and no end (1:35). He is completely holy (1:35), equal to and distinct from God the Father and God the Holy Spirit (1:30–32, 35). Jesus is fully human (1:31; 2:7, 12, 16, 21) and fully God (1:32, 35, 43; 2:11). Jesus is God’s eternal Son (1:32, 35), the promised Messiah (1:32–33; 2:11) from the line of David (1:27, 32, 69; 2:4, 11), and the Savior of the world (1:31; 2:11).
Christ’s Saving Work	As a fulfillment of God’s ancient covenant promises (1:72–73), Jesus came to earth to accomplish God’s plan of redemption: to bring salvation to sinful humanity (1:47, 68–69, 71, 77; 2:11). God’s work of saving sinners is good news (1:19; 2:10) of God visiting his people (1:43, 68, 78) and bringing them divine help (1:54) from sin, judgment, death, and condemnation. In Jesus, God showed his mercy (1:48, 50, 54, 72, 78), strength (1:49, 51), and grace (1:28, 30) to sinful humanity. Through faith in Jesus Christ, people can find forgiveness of sins (1:77), light to overcome darkness (1:79), life in the face of death (1:79), divine blessing (1:42, 45, 48), enduring peace (1:79), and the removal of shame (1:25).
Responding to Jesus	God sent Jesus to save people. There is no hope for sinners to save themselves. People receive salvation by correctly responding to Jesus. The characters in the narrative of Jesus’ birth help provide examples (some positive and some negative) of what it means to become a follower of Christ. Followers of Christ express genuine faith in God (1:4, 20, 25, 38, 45) and repentance of sin (1:16–17). The Christian faith is a life of full devotion to God (1:28) and complete dependence upon God (1:10, 13). Genuine disciples live lives of obedience (1:6, 17, 60, 75; 2:15–16, 21), worship (1:42, 46, 64, 68; 2:13–14, 20), service (1:8–10, 23) in abundant joy (1:14, 43, 47), and healthy fear of God (1:50; cf. 1:12, 29–30, 65, 74; 2:9–10). Not only do believers contemplate God’s work of salvation with wonder (1:66; 2:18–19), they also tell others about the good news with boldness (2:13–14, 17–18).

Personal Reflection: Entering the Story

Apply the Text: The word of God is binding and authoritative, the only reliable guide for faith and godliness. True disciples submit themselves to God’s word. In this movement, you will apply God’s word to your lives.

Reflection Questions

Encourage one person to share a testimony about how this story has impacted them so far. Use the reflection questions to examine your life in light of this biblical passage.

Spiritual Practice

Ministry Practice: Rehearsing the Script

Minister the Text: God’s word is living and active. Through God’s word, the Christian community is edified. In this movement, you will utilize the biblical passage to minister to other believers and build them up in their faith.

Application Questions

Look at the infographic below. Use the questions to think about how to minister this text to other believers.

Missional Outreach: Publicizing the Truth

Witness the Text: The Bible is a message of God’s gracious salvation to the world. In word and deed, God’s people proclaim the good news of the gospel. In this movement, you will use this biblical passage to reach out to unbelievers.

Strategy Questions

Reflect on the infographic below. Consider how you can use this passage to witness to the surrounding world. Use the suggested ideas to prime your imagination. Then, put together a plan to share this passage with unbelievers, Afterward, reflect on this mission experience.