Embracing Humility: The Miraculous Birth of Jesus

 

Summary

The story of Jesus' birth is a profound narrative that challenges our understanding of power, humility, and divine purpose. If we were to imagine how God might send His Son into the world, we might envision a grand entrance, full of splendor and majesty. Yet, God's plan was far different. Jesus was born in humble circumstances, not in a royal palace but in a peasant village, to a young, unsophisticated girl named Mary. This choice underscores the mission of Jesus, not just to die for humanity's sins but to live as the Second Adam, fulfilling what the first Adam could not. Jesus' life was one of submission to God's will, embodying the role of a servant despite His divine nature.

The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary was both a blessing and a challenge. Mary, a virgin, was chosen to bear the Son of God, a revelation that initially troubled her. Her response, however, was one of faith and submission: "Let it be to me according to your word." This moment, often referred to as Mary's fiat, highlights her willingness to embrace God's plan despite the personal cost and societal implications. Her faith is a testament to the power of trust in God's promises, even when they seem impossible.

The virgin birth of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian faith, often debated but crucial in understanding the miraculous nature of Jesus' life. His birth, life, and resurrection are marked by divine intervention, challenging the naturalistic views that seek to strip away the miraculous from the narrative of Jesus. The New Testament presents a Jesus whose life is a continuous display of God's power, from His miraculous birth to His resurrection, affirming the belief that with God, nothing is impossible.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Humility of Christ's Birth: Jesus' birth in humble circumstances highlights the divine choice to prioritize humility over grandeur. This teaches us that God's ways often defy human expectations, emphasizing servanthood and submission over power and prestige. [03:10]

2. Mary's Faith and Submission: Mary's response to the angel's announcement exemplifies profound faith and willingness to submit to God's will. Her acceptance of God's plan, despite its challenges, encourages us to trust in God's purposes even when they seem daunting or unclear. [21:05]

3. The Significance of the Virgin Birth: The virgin birth is a testament to the miraculous nature of Jesus' life, challenging us to embrace the supernatural aspects of our faith. It underscores the belief that with God, all things are possible, inviting us to trust in His power and promises. [13:11]

4. God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs: The decree of Caesar Augustus, which led to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, illustrates God's sovereignty over human history. Even the actions of powerful rulers serve God's divine purposes, reminding us that God's plans are ultimately fulfilled despite human intentions. [22:40]

5. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit's role in the conception of Jesus parallels the Spirit's work in creation, highlighting the ongoing creative and life-giving power of God. This invites us to recognize the Spirit's presence and activity in our lives, bringing about God's purposes in ways we may not fully understand. [17:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:41] - Imagining God's Plan
- [01:18] - The Mission of Jesus
- [02:20] - The Humiliation of Christ
- [03:10] - The Significance of Descension
- [04:07] - The Annunciation to Mary
- [05:44] - Mary's Troubled Response
- [06:23] - The Angel's Assurance
- [07:08] - Understanding the Announcement
- [08:35] - The Promise of a King
- [09:27] - Mary's Question of Possibility
- [10:23] - Joseph's Dilemma
- [11:51] - Angelic Intervention for Joseph
- [13:11] - The Virgin Birth Controversy
- [15:45] - The Holy Spirit's Role
- [18:11] - Evidence of God's Power
- [19:40] - The Impossibility of Death's Hold
- [20:21] - Mary's Fiat
- [22:40] - God's Decree Fulfilled

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:26-38
2. Matthew 1:18-25
3. Genesis 1:1

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary in Luke 1:26-38 highlight the humility and divine purpose of Jesus' birth? [04:07]

2. What was Mary's initial reaction to the angel's message, and how did the angel reassure her? [06:23]

3. In Matthew 1:18-25, how does Joseph respond to the news of Mary's pregnancy, and what role does the angel play in his decision? [11:51]

4. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus' birth in relation to His mission as the Second Adam? [01:18]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Mary's response, "Let it be to me according to your word," reveal about her faith and submission to God's will? How might this reflect the broader theme of humility in the sermon? [21:05]

2. How does the virgin birth challenge naturalistic views, and why is it considered a cornerstone of Christian faith according to the sermon? [13:11]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's sovereignty is evident in the events surrounding Jesus' birth, such as the decree of Caesar Augustus? [22:40]

4. How does the role of the Holy Spirit in the conception of Jesus parallel the Spirit's work in creation, and what does this suggest about God's ongoing creative power? [17:24]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to embrace a challenging situation. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Mary's example of faith and submission? [21:05]

2. The sermon emphasizes the humility of Jesus' birth. How can you prioritize humility in your daily life, especially in situations where you might be tempted to seek power or prestige? [03:10]

3. Consider the miraculous nature of Jesus' life as presented in the sermon. How can you cultivate a sense of wonder and trust in God's power in your own life, even when facing seemingly impossible situations? [13:11]

4. How does understanding God's sovereignty over human affairs, as illustrated by the decree of Caesar Augustus, influence your perspective on current events or personal challenges? [22:40]

5. The Holy Spirit's role in Jesus' conception highlights God's life-giving power. How can you be more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and activity in your life, and what steps can you take to align with God's purposes? [17:24]

6. Reflect on the societal implications Mary faced as a young, unsophisticated girl chosen to bear the Son of God. How can you support others who are called to challenging roles or missions in their lives? [04:54]

7. How does the sermon challenge you to embrace the supernatural aspects of your faith, and what practical steps can you take to deepen your understanding and acceptance of these elements? [13:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Humility in Unexpected Places
The birth of Jesus in humble circumstances is a profound lesson in divine humility. Instead of choosing a grand entrance, God chose a peasant village and a young girl named Mary to bring His Son into the world. This choice challenges our understanding of power and prestige, emphasizing that God's ways often defy human expectations. Jesus' life, from His birth to His resurrection, was marked by servanthood and submission, teaching us that true greatness lies in humility and service to others. This narrative invites us to reflect on how we perceive power and success in our own lives, encouraging us to prioritize humility and service over worldly accolades. [03:10]

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking recognition or power? How can you practice humility and servanthood in those areas today?


Day 2: Embracing God's Plan with Faith
Mary's response to the angel Gabriel's announcement exemplifies profound faith and submission. Despite the personal cost and societal implications, Mary accepted God's plan with the words, "Let it be to me according to your word." Her willingness to embrace God's purpose, even when it seemed impossible, is a testament to the power of trust in God's promises. This moment, often referred to as Mary's fiat, encourages us to trust in God's purposes for our lives, even when they seem daunting or unclear. Mary's faith challenges us to consider how we respond to God's call in our own lives. [21:05]

"And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you respond with a heart of submission and trust today?


Day 3: The Miraculous Nature of Jesus' Birth
The virgin birth of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian faith, highlighting the miraculous nature of His life. This event challenges naturalistic views and invites believers to embrace the supernatural aspects of their faith. The New Testament presents Jesus' life as a continuous display of God's power, from His miraculous birth to His resurrection. This narrative underscores the belief that with God, all things are possible, inviting us to trust in His power and promises. The virgin birth is not just a theological concept but a reminder of God's ability to intervene in human history in miraculous ways. [13:11]

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14, ESV)

Reflection: How do you perceive the miraculous in your own life? Can you identify a situation where you need to trust in God's supernatural power today?


Day 4: God's Sovereignty Over Human History
The decree of Caesar Augustus, which led to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, illustrates God's sovereignty over human history. Even the actions of powerful rulers serve God's divine purposes, reminding us that God's plans are ultimately fulfilled despite human intentions. This narrative invites us to recognize God's hand in the unfolding of history and in our own lives. It challenges us to trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic or uncertain. God's sovereignty assures us that His purposes will prevail, regardless of human actions. [22:40]

"The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will." (Proverbs 21:1, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you seen God's sovereignty at work in your life or in the world around you? How can you trust in His control over your current circumstances?


Day 5: The Creative Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's role in the conception of Jesus parallels the Spirit's work in creation, highlighting the ongoing creative and life-giving power of God. This narrative invites us to recognize the Spirit's presence and activity in our lives, bringing about God's purposes in ways we may not fully understand. The Holy Spirit is not just a passive force but an active participant in the unfolding of God's plan. This understanding encourages us to be open to the Spirit's leading and to trust in His ability to bring about transformation and new life in our own circumstances. [17:24]

"The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work creatively in your life today? What areas of your life need the Spirit's transformative power?

Quotes


But that's not how God did it, and there's a reason why God didn't do it that way, as we saw with the concern of John the Baptist, and in the baptism of Jesus -- that Jesus came not only to die but to live, that He came to be the Second Adam, the New Adam, to do for us what Adam failed to do the first time around. [00:01:05]

And so His mission was to be in submission to all of the requirements of God, to take upon Himself as the eternal logos and the second person of the Trinity a human nature, and to be born of a woman, and to be born of the seed of David. And so for the New Testament, the birth of Jesus is of profound significance because it is the advent of Immanuel, the one who comes as our mediator and who grows up in the nurture of the Lord, who has to learn obedience, not from disobedience, but in terms of an expanding understanding and awareness of all of the implications of His mission. [00:01:39]

But the birth of Jesus begins the humiliation of Christ -- that this indicates the willingness of the one who from all eternity was equal with God, who counted his equality with God not as something to be jealously guarded, but He was willing to empty Himself of His glory and to assume the posture, the rank, and the status of a servant. [00:02:37]

So as we look now at the birth of Jesus, let us not underestimate the significance of this descension, descension -- not d-i-s-s-e-n, but d-e-c-e-n-s-i-o-n -- because one of the climactic moments in the life of Jesus is His ascension. But before He ascends into heaven, He frequently remarks that no one ascends into heaven except the One who has first descended from heaven, and so when the Son of Man comes, He comes to us from glory to humiliation, from heaven to earth. [00:03:10]

Now imagine this. Here's this teenage girl, unsophisticated, poor, and all of a sudden, as she's minding her business, an angel appears to her, and the angel appears with a command to rejoice, and the cause for her rejoicing is to be that she has found favor with God and she has been chosen of God for a profound and special blessing. [00:05:17]

Now we wonder how much of this announcement Mary understood. If we look a little bit later at the song that she sings under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, The Magnificat, "My soul doth magnify the Lord," and we see the content of that song, which reveals a profound understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures and prophecies, if we assume that the content was not something simply delivered to her by divine inspiration, but that God, under the inspiration of the Spirit, caused her to sing about things she already understood to some degree, then we could only conclude that this announcement would not be completely arcane to Mary. [00:07:31]

Now Joseph has to deal with this announcement as well. Mary, at some point, has to communicate to her betrothed, "I am with child." Now what does that automatically mean to Joseph? It means that his bride-to-be has been unfaithful. Now if I could read between the lines, I feel certain that Mary would have tried to explain this situation to Joseph, and yet he would have had a hard time, an extremely hard time being convinced of the veracity of what actually took place. [00:11:09]

And yet he has compassion; he cares for her. He wants to stop the marriage from being finalized, but at the same time he doesn't want to make a public disgrace or scandal of her situation, and he resolves to put her away quietly until there is more intervention. [00:11:57]

So in both accounts -- in Matthew's record and in Luke's record -- the astonishing proclamation is set before the church that the circumstances of the birth of Jesus were extraordinary and miraculous, that Jesus' birth was a virgin birth, a point that for some reason has been highly disputed in the last century or two in a somewhat unusual manner. [00:12:57]

We have to understand that the biblical account of the portrait of Jesus, the Jesus that is presented in the pages of the New Testament is the Jesus whose life is ablaze with miracle. His life begins with a miracle and it ends -- or begins again -- with a miracle, and in between, the power of the living God is displayed in and through Him constantly. [00:14:03]

Now the language that is used here is significant because it is reminiscent of the same language that is found in the first chapter of the Bible. How did creation take place initially? After we recall the description of the unordered universe of being without form and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, then it was that the Spirit of God moved upon the water. [00:17:14]

And the image that is used there in the language is that that is suggestive of a bird hovering over the water, casting its shadow. And it's the same concept that is used here in Luke's gospel; just as the Holy Spirit came upon the primordial waters and brought life in the initial creation, so the same power of God, the same Spirit of holiness is going to be upon this virgin and overshadow her so that a child will be conceived in her womb. [00:17:38]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?