A Layman's Commentary on the Gospel of Luke: Lesson I, Part 3 of 6

Verse 20. The sign asked for is given, but at the same time, it is a chastisement. He will, from that moment, until the birth of the promised son, be dumb. He doubted the message of Gabriel - yet it will come to pass, as God planned.Verse 21. Meanwhile, the people were waiting for the priest to come out from the Holy Place. The length of time was to be immediately after the incense was offered. Any delay brought increasing anxiety.Verse 22. Traditionally, the priest would come out and bless the people following that of Numbers 6:24-26. When Zacharias finally came out, the people were waiting. They immediately noticed that something extraordinary had happened. Zacharias not only didn’t give the priestly prayer, but was waving his arms in an agitated way. They concluded that something supernatural had taken place.Verse 23. When the week of his service in the temple was completed, Zacharias went home. This was probably in a village in the mountainous region south of Jerusalem (verse 39).Verses 24,25. We can naturally assume that Zacharias wrote down the supernatural event that he had experienced in the temple, to his wife. His inability to speak was a certain sign of God’s message. In a short period of time, Elisabeth became pregnant and withdrew from public life. It seems certain that Elisabeth believed and was extremely grateful to God for blessing her and her husband with a child at their advanced age - unquestionably a miracle.It also seems most likely that this divine promise was not shared with anyone else. Who would believe that such a thing could happen?After 5 months, however, the evidence would become obvious, and then no one could but accept that a miracle had indeed taken place. Then the rest of the promise made to Zacharias could also be believed by those around the couple. This gives us a picture from God’s point of view, where what we call supernatural is natural to God. We can accept it because God revealed it and caused it to be recorded in His Word.Deuteronomy 29:29 - “the secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children.”Verses 26,27. Six months after he had been sent to deliver the message to Zacharias, he was again sent to earth with the most momentous message of all time. His destination was a Galilean village called Nazareth. It was about 70 miles north-east of Jerusalem, in a valley on the northern side of the plain of Jezreel. It was surrounded by hills on all sides except the south. The village is still inhabited today and is called En-Nasirah.It was here that Gabriel was sent to speak to the virgin Mary. She was unmarried but was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David. To be betrothed was a solemn promise of mutual faithfulness.Verses 28,29. When the angel Gabriel came to Mary, he greets her as one highly favored of God. Her reaction shows she is modest and serious. She is upset by such a greeting, not feeling worthy, but she considered it, thinking, and wondering what it could mean.Verses 30-33. Gabriel reassures her, that she has no reason to fear, that God has chosen her as the most special woman to bring forth a son who is to be called Jesus (this means ‘the Lord is salvation). This promised Son is the One through whom God will accomplish the salvation of men. This child was to be unique - He shall be so great that He will be called the Son of the Most High. His excellence will exceed that of David - He will be given the throne of His father David. The throne is the symbol of supreme power. Only the Messiah-king promised in the Old Testament will have complete sovereignty, both spiritual and everlasting. This was to happen when all of creation will be brought in complete submission to God, when all things shall be under His feet, and Satan and his followers will have been banished from His presence.Verse 34. Mary believes what the angel says will happen, although she does not understand how this is to come to pass. She acknowledges that she has had no physical relationship with a man.Verse 35. The angel replied by stating the miraculous conception was divine in origin. The Holy Spirit will overshadow her and by His power, she will conceive. She receives the power of the Most High. Wherefore that which is to be born shall be called Holy, the Son of God.Through His humanity, He will reveal His divinity. He will be free from all sin, therefore called holy. He had to be born of a woman to be human. It was just as important that He be perfectly holy, since, no sinful being could gain redemption for others. Gabriel emphasized that both of these circumstances would be present in Jesus.Verse 36. Gabriel now informs her that Elisabeth, her kinswoman, though barren and advanced in age, has conceived a son. This confirms the miraculous power of God, further strengthening Mary’s faith. Elisabeth, who was called barren, was already six months pregnant.Verse 37. Gabriel emphasizes the true power of God: “For no word from God shall be void of power.” To state the same thing positively “Every word of God is full of power.” Both mean that whatever God says will come to pass, because God has the omnipotent power to bring it to pass.Verse 38. Mary submits herself completely to God’s will. “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy Word.” The highest honor ever conferred upon a woman was this - to become the mother of the Son of God.This did put Mary in an awkward and potentially dangerous position in reference to her betrothal to Joseph. Mary chose not to tell Joseph. How could he believe such an extraordinary explanation for her becoming pregnant before their marriage?Mary left the whole matter in God’s hands. From Matthew 1:15 we are told of God communicating with Joseph the miraculous event that was to take place. The angel left, his commission being accomplished. Mary had accepted and submitted to God’s will.Only Jesus was born without sin, and He shall be called the only-begotten of the Father, The Holy One. He will be the King of all those who believe as citizens in His spiritual kingdom unto eternity.

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