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Daily Devotions

Luke

Luke 
Day 
Day 1

"THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL COME UPON YOU"

Text: Luke 1:26-38

“THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL COME UPON YOU”

Once again, we are introduced to the Person of the Holy Spirit! To Mary’s question as to how she could become the mother of the promised Messiah, the angel gave a startling reply!

This Baby that Mary would bear would be no ordinary baby! There were special occasions when God would step in and help a childless couple have children. Sarah was enabled to conceive Isaac (Genesis 18). Rebekah was able to give birth to twins, because of Isaac’s impassioned plea for children (Gen. 25)! Rachel was able to bear Joseph because of the Lord’s special grace and mercy (Gen. 30:22. The words of Rachel were probably borrowed by Elizabeth when she found that she had conceived; Cf. Luke 1:25).

The birth of Baby Jesus would not require a human father, but a special supernatural act from none other than the Holy Spirit Himself! How astonishing and awesome it is to have the Holy Spirit involved in such a manner!

“THE POWER OF THE HIGHEST WILL OVERSHADOW YOU…” Luke 1:35

From Day One, the Spirit of the Lord and all His awesome power would overshadow Mary. She would be specially cared for and looked after by the Lord Himself. We are surely reminded of what the Lord promised.

Isaiah used to cry out to ancient Israel to believe that God had always cared for them. These were some of the encouraging promises that Isaiah declared to Israel:-

“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
And all the remnant of the house of Israel
Who have been upheld by Me from birth
Who have been carried from the womb”
Isaiah 46:3

And in a prophetic passage, where Isaiah spoke of the Messiah, we read these precious words:-

“The Lord has called Me from the womb
From the matrix of My mother
He has made mention of My Name”
Isaiah 49:1

“THE HOLY ONE… WILL BE CALLED THE SON OF GOD” Luke 1:35

Mary was indeed highly favoured by God to become the one who would give birth to Baby Jesus! However, the angel Gabriel reminded her, that she must remember that this Baby was not entirely hers!

That Baby that she will bear will be called “The Son of God” . He will not just be Mary’s son, or even Joseph’s son. His greater identity is that He will be called “The Son of God”!

To encourage further faith in what was uttered, the angel Gabriel informed her that Elizabeth, a relative, had “also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren” (Luke 1:36).

The contrast between the son of Elizabeth and the Son that Mary would bear is obvious! Only Baby Jesus would be allowed to wear the title, “The Son of God”! What an awesome thought that must have been for Mary to mull over!

“WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE” Luke 1:37

It is unfortunate that many “Bible scholars” scoff at the idea of a “virgin birth”. What appears to be scientifically impossible is rejected. Thus, many have rejected the doctrine of the birth of Baby Jesus by the virgin Mary.

We are reminded of what the angel Gabriel said. “With God all things are possible”! How we need to be reminded of this truth again and again! It seemed impossible for Elizabeth to have a child, and yet she was now in the sixth month of her pregnancy. It seems just as impossible for Mary to have a child without an earthly father, and yet she was challenged to believe that “with God all things are possible”.

“BEHOLD THE MAIDSERVANT OF THE LORD…” Luke 1:38

Mary’s reply was deeply moving. She believed in the word of the angel Gabriel. She saw herself as nothing more than a “maidservant”. She would not hold Baby Jesus as her own. She would always regard Him as the angel Gabriel taught her. He was none other than the Son of God. But of course it was only right for her to see herself as a maidservant of the Lord.

She believed the word of the angel Gabriel. She responded most appropriately, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Did the angel promise her that she would have a Son, and that He would be great, and that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and that He is none other than the Son of God… that is quite a lot to handle! Nevertheless, she embraced every word that the angel Gabriel spoke to her!

HOW DO WE RESPOND TO THE WORD OF GOD?

How do you normally respond to the Word of the Lord when you read it, or when you hear a pulpit message? Do you respond at all? Is your response to the Lord’s Word appropriate?

Consider the response of Mary to the astounding word from the angel Gabriel! Pray that the Lord would help us respond appropriately at all times! May there always be a humble spirit when we respond to God’s Word!