02: Birth announcement of Jesus (Luke 1:26-56)

Six months after the announcement of John’s birth, the angel appeared to the virgin Mary and proclaimed the coming birth of Jesus.

👉 Read Luke 1:26 - 56

Q1. What were the angel’s words to Mary (three, 30-33)

Don't be afraid. You have found favor with God

You will bear a son and name him Jesus

He will sit on David's throne; his kingdom lasts forever. (His mission)

v28: the Greek word for 'Greetings' is χαῖρε (rejoice). 

Two observations: the Bible highlights Mary was a virgin, and Zechariah and Elizabeth were very old. And the angel again said, ‘Do not be afraid.’

Q2. When Mary questioned how she could have baby without knowing man, the angel answered,  “(         ) will come upon you and the power of the Most High will (       ) you. Therefore, the child will be called (                   ). Look your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant in her old age. (            ) will be impossible with God.” Mary said, “I am a (           ) of the Lord; let this happen to (       ) according to your word.”

“( The Holy Spirit ) will come upon you and the power of the Most High will ( overshadow ) you. Therefore, the child will be called ( the Son of God ). Look your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant in her old age. ( Nothing ) will be impossible with God.” Mary said, “I am a ( servant ) of the Lord; let this happen to ( me ) according to your word.”

Did Mary doubt like Zechariah, or did she simply ask how it would happen? Zechariah was rebuked for unbelief, but Mary was given an explanation. An old-age birth is unusual but natural; a virgin birth is impossible by nature—so Mary’s question came from wonder, not doubt.

The boy will be conceived solely by the Holy Spirit; therefore, He is the Son of God, not the son of Joseph.

Q3. As Mary visited Elizabeth, baby John rejoiced in his mother's womb (39-45). Why? (v15) 

The baby John was full of the Holy Spirit.

Q4. What are Mary's reasons for praise? (46-48, 51-53, 54-55)

Merciful to her: God did great things for his humble servant (Maria).

Sovereign power: He brought down the mighty and lifted up the lowly. 

Faithful to the promise: God helped his servant Israel.

It’s worth to meditate how her praise is related to the angel’s message. God chose a humble woman, Mary, made her pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit, and fulfill the Davidic covenant through the boy.

Mary called herself “I am a servant(δούλη, slave, bondwoman) of the Lord.” She totally dedicated her life to the Lord’s disposal.

She was probably worried about the mistreatment this supernatural birth might bring, yet excited to see God’s great work through the baby. But the actual hardship she faced was far greater than she imagined, and the glory of what God accomplished was far greater than she expected.

When we entrust our lives to God, both anxiety and expectation often come together. In human terms, we usually underestimate both the challenges and the blessings. If we were not somewhat ‘blinded’ to what lies ahead, we might never dare to stand for the Lord. Yet even so, the Lord strengthens us throughout the journey.