Since we are about to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I felt it would be a good time to teach on His miraculous birth as well as the miraculous birth of His forerunner -- John the Baptist. The story of John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ birth is in the Gospel of Luke. Luke had the heart of a loving physician. Luke is the Gospel that reflects Jesus as the One who came to seek and save those who are lost. In other words, the Son of Man. He shows Jesus as the compassionate One who came to live among sinners to love them, die for them, heal and help them become all that they can be in Him. Luke was a trained physician so he would understand birthing and healing. God chose Luke to write about the two births that together would unveil the Living Word being birthed on earth.
Luke
is writing to Theophilus, which means “lover of God.” Many had
written about the things that “have
been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those
who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word.”
Luke 1:1 Luke
didn’t take these accounts at their word, but “carefully
investigated everything from the beginning.” Then
Luke shared his findings with Theophilus to assure him of the things
he had been taught. Theophilus was a lover of God and seeker of
Truth. Both Luke and Theophilus were gentiles. Luke wanted to
write an accurate and orderly book of the life, ministry and message
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Before he did this, he
researched and talked to eyewitnesses until he was sure he knew the
truth.
Not
a prophet of God has spoken God's Word for over 400 years. The last
word was from Malachi who prophesied that God would send Elijah
before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. When
he comes He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Malachi
4:5 God
is now going to fulfill this Word by sending John the Baptist who
came in the Spirit and power of Elijah. Jesus identifies John
the Baptist with Elijah. “And
if you are willing to accept it, he (John
the Baptist) is
the Elijah who was to come.“ Matthew 11:14 Jesus
revealed Truth because He is Truth. God has not forgotten His
promises and covenants with His people. This prophet in the spirit
and power of Elijah will bring many to the Lord and will connect the
fathers and the sons in the unity of the faith through Jesus.
The
Living Word
God
is about to bring His Word to life in the flesh in His Son Jesus
Christ. He will be the Living Word -- the voice of God -- all Truth
-- brought to life. God will begin His plan of redemption through the
forerunner--John the Baptist--to fulfill scripture, just as He used
the Older Testament Law and Prophets to begin to reveal His
redemptive plan until the True Redeemer Jesus is birthed in the
flesh. Miraculous "new birth" is coming to Zechariah and
Elizabeth (priestly tribe), and to Mary (kingly
tribe). God is about to birth His Son in the flesh on the
earth--who is the Seed of God, not man! This new birth will be
Jesus, God’s Only Begotten Son, who will be both a Priest and a
King and who will establish a holy nation of priests and kings.
There will be no other like Him on the earth.
God
will begin with Zechariah who is a Jewish priest under the Law and
his wife Elizabeth. Then God will birth a new, unique creation in
Mary -- God Himself in the flesh -- who will be a descendant of David
of the kingly tribe in the flesh, but is also the Eternal Son of the Eternal
God. God reproduced is God! This new birth in Jesus will be the
only One of its kind. Through Jesus all believers will
experience a new, spiritual birth but unlike Jesus, we will still be
full of sin. God will dwell in Israel in the womb of Mary until Jesus is birthed!
Elizabeth
and Zechariah were beyond child-bearing years (elders) and
without an heir. It would take a miracle of God to give them a son.
The Bible says that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were "righteous
in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees
blamelessly." Luke 1:6 Oh that we would all receive
such a commendation from the Lord! God praised Elizabeth and
Zechariah for their faithfulness, obedience and righteousness. They
were faithful to God and to His people Israel. They honored God
in their words, actions and deeds. God will honor their
faithfulness, obedience and righteousness by giving them their
deepest desire -- a son and heir. In Biblical times, being barren was
thought to be a sign of God's displeasure and judgment. But not so
with Zechariah and Elizabeth. God would save the best for last for
these faithful, obedient servants. In the "natural," having a son in their old age would seem
impossible, but with God "all things are possible." As
Abraham walked blameless before God and he and his wife Sarah were
promised a spiritual son in their elder years, Zechariah and
Elizabeth walked blameless before God and were promised a spiritual
son in their elder years. God's ways don't change!
Zechariah
means “Jehovah
has remembered.“ Elizabeth
means "oath
(covenant) of God." God
has not forgotten or forsaken Zechariah and Elizabeth nor has He
forgotten or forsaken Israel. God has remembered His people and His
covenant oath with them. Elizabeth who is in covenant with God
will birth the son who will be the forerunner of Jesus, God's own
Son. A forerunner is one who comes in advance to a place where the
rest are to follow. John the Baptist is the seed of an elder man
birthed through an elder woman similar to Abraham and Sarah birthing
Isaac, but Jesus is the Seed of God birthed through a young, virgin
woman. “The
elder will serve the younger,“ as
God spoke to Jacob in Genesis. Israel will serve Jesus/Yeshua. Through God's supernatural
power, love and grace, Elizabeth will give birth to a prophet-priest
who will speak God's Word that had been silent for 400 years. John
the Baptist who was of the tribe of Levi and a prophet was birthed
through the elder covenant with Israel. The Jews believed that Elijah
would appear personally but God sent John the Baptist in the spirit and power of Elijah. John would point to the Lamb of God
and Savior of the world Jesus, just as the Older Testament points to
Jesus. John the Baptist will be the last but not the least of the
Older Testament prophets. Jesus Himself said that there were none
greater than John the Baptist, but the least in the Kingdom of heaven
would be greater than John. (see
Matthew 11:11-13) Why? Because Jesus is greater than John, so believers in Him will be greater. In
the connection in scripture of the births of John the Baptist and
Jesus, God is showing the connection of the old and the new in its
revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the author of a New Covenant not established by the blood of lambs and goats but by His sinless (holy) shed blood.
Zechariah
had been chosen by lot to go into the Temple and burn incense to the
Lord. This was no coincidence but was done by the very hand of
God. God was about to do a new thing. God’s appointed
time had come, and His appointed couple is chosen who would begin to
bring His plan of redemption about.
People were assembled and praying
outside in the courts of the temple. Zechariah would take the
golden bowl of incense taken from the burning ashes of the
sacrificial lamb for atonement and put it on the golden altar in the
Holy Place. The golden altar was in front of the veil that was
the entrance into the Most Holy Place of God’s presence -- shekinah glory. The golden altar symbolizes intercessory prayer. In the
book of Revelation, chapter 5, when the lamb takes the
scroll out of the right hand of Him who is sitting upon the throne,
John said, "And the twenty-four elders came forth with
their little golden bowls, full of incense, which are the prayers of
the saints, and they offered them before the throne of God."
(Revelation 5:8).
An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right
side of the altar of incense. Luke 1:11 Verse 19 tells
us that this angel was Gabriel, the same one that appeared to Mary
the mother of Jesus. Gabriel means “might of
God.“ Gabriel is standing on the right side of the
altar of incense. The right side is the place of power and
authority. Who is seated at the right hand of the Father and
makes intercession for us before the Father? This is a
foreshadowing of the role of Jesus. “When Zechariah saw Him, he
was startled and was gripped with fear.” Luke 1:12 It
was thought in biblical times that anyone who saw the Lord would die
so they became full of fear. Thankfully, in Jesus we see the
face of God without fear.
God
sent His angel Gabriel to speak God's Word of purpose into the lives
of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph. Gabriel spoke God's plan to
Zechariah because he was the spiritual head of his household and
would be a part of God's plan in bringing forth John the Baptist.
Right away, Gabriel told Zechariah not to be afraid--that his
prayer had been heard.. “Your prayer has been heard. Your
wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name
John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will
rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of
the Lord.” This came true. Jesus commended the
greatness of John the Baptist as I stated earlier. (Matthew
11:11-13) The name John means “God is
gracious.” Normally a son in biblical times would
be named after their father, but God named John. John was to be
known as God’s gracious gift so God would get the glory not man.
John
the Baptist would be a Nazarite. (Numbers 6:1-21) A
Nazarite is one who makes a vow of separation unto God. He
would also be filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb when
he was conceived and life entered him. John the Baptist would
also turn many Israelites back to God, and the hearts of the fathers
to the sons, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous to
prepare the people for the coming of Messiah.
All
of this was hard for Zechariah to believe, so he questioned Gabriel.
“How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my
wife is well along in years.” Luke 1:18 Zechariah
said who he was, but Gabriel says, “I am Gabriel. I
stand in the presence of God and I have been sent to speak to you and
to tell you this good news.” Luke 1:19 In other words, this is who I am! Gabriel had
prophesied of this day through Daniel, so Zechariah who was a priest
and knew the Older Testament scriptures should have remembered this.
(Daniel 9:20-27) Instead of looking to God in
faith, Zechariah looked at the circumstances. The glorious angel
Gabriel who stands in the very presence of God in the heavenly throne
room spoke this and yet Zechariah doubted and asked for a sign. So
God gave him one! He silenced him for nine months. God
could not allow his negative, doubtful words to be spoken against His
plan. Because Zechariah asked for a sign, God would only let
him communicate with others using signs. (see Luke
1:22) Zechariah's silence prevented him from giving the
priestly benediction of blessing to the people. He could
neither bless nor curse for nine months. Zechariah’s doubt will not
stop God’s purpose. If God purposes it, He will perform it. He
will carry it out in spite of man.
Elizabeth
and Mary
No
two women of the Bible had a greater supernatural and Divine
connection than Elizabeth and Mary. They were a perfect example of
order and agreement. The order of God’s Kingdom was birthed
through the bond, faith, obedience and willingness of Elizabeth and
Mary who were related. Both were willing to submit to God’s
Word and purpose. Elizabeth and Mary were the only two women
who knew the plan of God through their sons. They were aligned
with God’s order and submitted to His Word and Will. God will
accomplish His plan of redemption through these two Jewish women. First God birthed John the Baptist who would represent the Law. Then God birthed "grace and truth" through Mary.
Elizabeth
became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. Luke
1:24 Elizabeth gave glory to God for her pregnancy. "The
Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown His favor and
taken away my disgrace among the people." Lk. 1:25 Elizabeth
was barren which was considered a curse. Being without child was
legal grounds for divorce in biblical times. Zechariah could
have divorced Elizabeth, but he didn’t. There must have been
a strong bond of love between Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah
remained with her even though they were childless. God will honor his
faithfulness with a son, just as God honored Israel with His very own
Son. The Savior and Messiah of the world came through Israel.
Gabriel
spoke the prophecy of John the Baptist’s birth to Zechariah not
Elizabeth and yet Elizabeth knew that the "new birth"
coming from her body came from the Lord's favor (grace and
love). She gave glory to the Lord, and thanked Him for His favor.
5 is the number of grace. The new life in Elizabeth was because
of God’s grace. Elizabeth said that not only had God shown
His favor toward her, He also took away her shame of not having a
child. Jesus did this also. He is God's grace for all and takes
away our sin and shame.
The
elder Elizabeth would birth her son (destiny) John
the Baptist first, just as God wrote the Law and the Prophets first
whom John represents. The Law and the Prophets pointed to Christ as
John the Baptist pointed to Christ as the Lamb of God that takes away
the sin of the world. Mary, the younger one, would spend three
months with Elizabeth before her son (destiny) would
be birthed. 3 is the number of the fullness of the Godhead and Truth.
Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead and all Truth. The fullness of the Godhead and Truth was in the womb of Mary.
There
was no jealousy between Elizabeth and Mary. They knew their purpose
in God's plan. The Older Testament and Law also had its purpose. It
was God's way of painting a picture of Jesus, who is all truth.
Elizabeth's son, John the Baptist, was sent by God to preach
repentance and baptism in preparation of receiving and knowing Jesus
Christ, God's only begotten Son. The Law and the Prophets showed us
our sin and our need for a Savior. Jesus came as the Savior of
the world to redeem all of mankind.
Mary
When
Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy, Gabriel appeared to
Mary. Gabriel spoke directly to Mary because no man would have
anything to do with the birth of her Son who would be the Son of God,
not man. Both Elizabeth and Mary received God's Word by faith and
birthed it bringing it to fruition through the power of the Holy
Spirit. These two Jewish women came together in their God-given
destinies without ego, envy or jealousy.
Only
women can give birth, so John the Baptist and Jesus must come through
a woman. John the Baptist was the seed of man, but Jesus is the
Seed of God. Big difference! God will birth His Son into
the world through this pure, faithful, willing and obedient woman.
God Himself came to earth through a woman’s ability to give
birth. God is still birthing Jesus on earth through His Bride
-- His Church.
Elizabeth
was favored of the Lord, but Mary was highly favored of the Lord!
Gabriel said to Mary, "Greetings, you who are highly
favored! The Lord is with you." Luke 1:28 Mary
was still a virgin. Her womb was untouched by the flesh and seed of
man, and was still sealed. Jesus could only come into a womb
like this because He is holy and must be birthed through a holy
place that nothing of man has touched. Mary had a sinful nature like all of humanity, but her
womb was still pure.
Mary
also became fearful and questioned Gabriel when he said that she
would give birth to a Son, but her son will be the Son of the Most
High God and His Kingdom will never end (eternal). Gabriel
tells Mary not to be afraid. God is with her.
Mary
is to call her Son Jesus, which means “God is
salvation” Gabriel said that John the Baptist would
be great, but Mary’s son will be greater. He 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 (eternal).”
Luke 1:32-33 Jesus must come through the tribe
of Judah to fulfill scripture. Both Mary and Joseph descended
from David and the tribe of Judah. God has said that David’s
kingdom will never end. Jesus is the fulfillment of that
promise -- the Davidic Covenant. This could only be fulfilled by One
who is Eternal.
“How
will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Luke 1:34 Gabriel
answered her, “The
Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you.” Luke 1:35 This
is the exact same way that the Godhead worked in Genesis
1 at
creation. The Holy Spirit hovered over the darkness and chaos.
The Holy Spirit will hover over Mary (overshadow
her).
“So
the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” This
birth will be the miraculous work of God through the power of the
Holy Spirit and the Word of God spoken through His angel. Mary’s
Son will be free of sin because He was conceived by the Seed/Word of
God and the Holy Spirit of God. The sin of man will not be in
Him.
To
assure her, Gabriel also tells Mary that her cousin Elizabeth will
also have a son in her old age, “for nothing is impossible
with God.”
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as
you have said.” Luke 1:38 Mary believed God’s Word and
submitted to it because she was the Lord’s servant. Mary
would let God’s Word take root and grow in her until Jesus is
birthed through her. God works in the same way with believers
today. We are to hear God’s Word, receive it and believe it
until Jesus is birthed in us and through us by our actions, words and
deeds.
Excited
about the news of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Mary goes to Judea to see
Elizabeth and rejoice in the good news. When Elizabeth heard the
voice of Mary, her baby leaped for joy in her womb, and Elizabeth was
filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in the baby in her womb
and the Holy Spirit in the baby Jesus in Mary’s womb connected Holy
Spirit to Holy Spirit. Elizabeth began to prophesy. “Blessed are
you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But
why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to
me?“ Elizabeth was humble. Notice that she said “my”
Lord. The Lord was personal to Elizabeth not just a far away
God. Gabriel had told Zechariah that their son would be filled
with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 1:15
God who knows our end from our beginning chose John the Baptist
before he was even conceived in his mother’s womb and filled him
with the Holy Spirit so he would accomplish God’s purpose. Holy Spirit to Holy Spirit is the strongest connection two people can
have. This is a connection that cannot be
broken. John the Baptist and Jesus had that connection! “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord
has said to her will be accomplished.” v45 Mary
believed the Word of the Lord. Mary was willing to accept both
the honor and the reproach that would come by submitting to the
Lord’s Word and will. Mary began to rejoice at the prophesy
and witness of her cousin Elizabeth. The Word of God has been established by two witnesses. She sang a new song!
(To
be continued next week)
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