Mary Did You Know?

Sermon delivered on December 7th, 2014

By: Pastor Greg Hocson

Text: Luke 1:26-37

 

Introduction

Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month (after Elisabeth's conception) the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27: To a virgin espoused (engaged) to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

 

I like the amazing details in the gospels. It is not like ...

Once upon a time there lived a beautiful princess who lived in a kingdom far, far away, and in that kingdom, there also lived a man. And the princess loved that man and the two decided to marry. And they lived happily ever after.

 

That's obviously a fairy tale. But the gospels are not, once upon a time... The gospels are, at this time, in this place, with these people around, Jesus was conceived and was born... 

 

It is not like ... 

Long time ago, Jesus was born in the planet Naboo and grew up with Darth Vader and Yoda...

 

No. The gospels talk about real people and places...

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2: (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3: And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4: And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 

The gospels talk about Jesus being born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, at the time of Tiberius Caesar. Places and people that can be verified historically and archaeologically.

 

I say these things to remind us that the Christmas Story that we all love is not a fairy tale but a true story. That the Bible we just read is the very Word of God and it's worth studying and obeying it.

 

The Life-changing News

An angel appeared to Mary and she was told that she will conceive and bring forth a son. Then angel went on and described that, this child is no ordinary child.

31: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

 

The angel made sure that she understood what will take place as her life will be radically changed.

35: ... Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 

Mary's Response

Mary responded, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 

Her response was, "that is impossible, since I know not a man."

For though she was espoused to Joseph, yet Joseph had not taken her to wife; they have not come together yet. And before they did, Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

 

At this time, Mary was only a teenager. She may be a teenager, she may not be a scientist or a doctor or a nurse but she understands that it is impossible to conceive and give birth without a human father. Conceiving and giving birth to a child without a human father is scientifically impossible but with God nothing is impossible.

 

I am not sure how much Mary was getting when she was being told of this news. One thing for sure, she heard and understood that she will conceive and bear a son. But I am not sure if she was hearing the angel, when the angel started to describe the child she will be conceiving and bringing forth - He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, He shall reign forever.

 

Even Greater Miracle

As great as the miracle of virgin birth is, there is even greater miracle than that, and that is, the miracle of Mary conceiving in her weak, frail, mortal body and giving birth to the very Son of God and survive and not die. She will be carrying in her womb the very Son of God; the One who created all things; the One who holds things together. That is the One she will conceive in her mortal body and bring forth into this world.

35: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: ...

 

The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the Child will be holy and will be called the Son of God.

 

His power will be upon her not only to make possible the conception but also to sustain her while she carry in her womb the very Son of God. Without the power of the Highest overshadowing you will not survive.

 

Who is this Child?

Let us now direct our attention on this Child that is born of Mary.

Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34: Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 

He shall be called JESUS

31: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Jesus is Greek and Joshua is Hebrew. Joshua or Jehoshua is derived from the Hebrew Yehoshua. Yahweh is salvation. Jehovah saves.

 

Mathew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 

This name identifies our Lord as the Saviour of His people. It declares His main work and mission. It declares the heart of Christmas story. If you miss this, you miss it all. He came to save His people from their sins. He saves by taking all the sins of His people upon Himself. He saves His people by bearing the penalty due to their sins. He saves by driving out the vipers of sin from the heart, and implanting in their stead fresh and holy objects, ambitions, motives. He is a complete Saviour.

 

He shall be great

There are many who call themselves and whom the world call great such as Alexander the Great, Charles the Great, Frederick the Great, and so on. And there is one when I was a little boy who proclaimed, "I am the Greatest! I said that before I knew I was!" - Mohammed Ali.

 

Three of these so called great people are dead and gone and Muhammed Ali is physically fading away. But there is only One who is truly Great, and shall be great forever, and that's none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.

32: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

 

He shall be called the Son of the Highest, the Son of God

32: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

He was Son of the Highest, the Son of God before He came into the world.

 

He is the Word in ...

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2: The same was in the beginning with God. 3: All things were made by 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.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

He is co-equal with the Father in all things. He was from all eternity the Son of God. But He shall be called, that is, He shall be known and acknowledged as the Son of the Highest, the Son of God. The Messiah shall be recognized and worshipped as nothing less than the very God Himself.

 

He shall reign forever

32: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

 

Kings and kingdoms have come and gone, and left their glory behind them; but Christ's kingdom outlasts them all. He is King forever.

 

Verse 32 declares the extent and duration of Christ's kingdom - forever and over all kingdoms.

 

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

 

This is but an echo of the sublime prediction in ...

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7:  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

Mary did you know that your baby boy 

Will some day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy 

Will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy 

Has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, 

Will soon deliver you.

 

Mary did you know that your baby boy 

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy 

Will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy 

Has walked where angels trod?

And when your kiss your little baby, 

You have kissed the face of God.

 

Mary did you know that your baby boy 

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy 

Would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy 

Is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding 

Is the great I am

 

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, 

The dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, 

The praises of the lamb!

 

Closing Thoughts

Mary was a highly favored woman, was blessed among women (v28), but let us be careful not to elevate Mary to deity or Godhead. She had the honor of conceiving, giving birth and raising the very Son of the Highest. What an honor! What a favor! She truly was blessed but the Bible says we are also blessed people if we are His children.

 

Luke 11:27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company (in the crowd) lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. (Blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and nursed you) 28: But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.)

 

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

 

Have you obeyed His will? Have believed on Him? Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour, not just the Saviour of His people, not just the Saviour of the world but your own personal Saviour? May God grant you faith to believe. May God give you ear to hear, eyes to see the Son of God who came to save.