Birth of John and Annunciation of Christ, Adult STS Lesson 90
MEMORY VERSE: “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
TEXT: Luke 1:1-80
This Study introduces us to the gospel according to Saint Luke. The writer, Luke, was a Gentile convert, a physician and a beloved companion of Paul the apostle. He presented Jesus Christ as the Divine-Human Saviour, who came to save mankind from sin. In his writing, he narrated the life and ministry of Christ, as eye-witnesses, explaining the Jewish terms and customs which were not familiar to his Gentile audience. Luke dedicated the book as well as the Acts of the Apostles, which he also wrote, to the “most excellent Theophilus”. By extension, the gospel was written for and dedicated to all who arc desirous of knowing God. However, this study will focus on the family background of John the Baptist, angelic prediction of his birth, Zechariah’s doubt and divine discipline, the annunciation of Christ and the birth and early days of John.
- FAMILY BACKGROUND OF JOHN THE BAPTIST: Luke 1:1-7,36,57-64; 3:2; 1 Chronicles 24:10
John was born into the godly family of Zacharias and Elisabeth. Both parents were from priestly families and they lived righteously before God despite their protracted problem of childlessness, However, they did not allow their physical problem to threaten their marriage or hinder their commitment to God. Zacharias took his turn to fulfill his priestly duties before God in the temple. Many people are not faithful in God’s service because they allow their problems to weigh them down or they withdraw altogether. Others resort to murmuring and grumbling.
But not Zacharias: “…he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course” (verse 8). David divided the priests into twenty-four courses (or shifts) and made a roster for them (1 Chronicles 24:1-19). The course of Abijah, to which Zacharias belonged, was the eighth: and his duty was to burn incense in the temple. It was while Zacharias was on this path of duty that God sent Angel Gabriel to announce the cheering news that he would have a son. At last, his prayers of many years brought forth an answer. John the Baptist had the privilege of being born into a godly home and his righteous and upright parents influenced him. We learn some lessons from his parentage:
One, commitment and faithfulness to God and His service does not necessarily preclude a person from having problems. For reasons best known to Him, He allows us to pass through difficult situations. But He never leaves us to struggle through the problems alone or in vain.
Two, a Christian must not allow difficulties or problems to hinder him or her from remaining godly and faithful in the service of God. As a matter of fact, we can turn what looks like a disability into an advantage.
Three, we should learn to take all our problems to God in prayer and persevere until the answers come. From the case of John’s parents, we learn that answers to our prayers may be delayed but cannot be denied.
Four, old age is not an excuse for dropping Out of God’s service. We must continue to serve God until He calls us home.
Five, married couples should avoid blaming each other or seeking to justify self when there is delay in childbirth. They should not think divorce or taking a second wife is the solution.
Six, Elisabeth did not give in to self-pity and carnal devices to get her problem solved. Neither was she a source of discouragement to her husband in ministry.
- ANGELIC PREDICTION OF JOHN’S BIRTH AND ZACHARIAS’ DOUBT
Luke 1:8-22; Hebrews 1:13,14; Psalm 103:20
As Zacharias ministered in the temple, Angel Gabriel appeared to him announcing that Elisabeth his wife would give birth to a son, whose name would be John. The unexpected sight of the angel frightened Zacharias but his fears were allayed as the angel said, “Fear not, Zacharias”. Angels still minister to the heirs of salvation. They bring answers to prayers, protect believers and deliver them from danger. Ministers of the gospel are also called angels of the church (Revelation 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14); and they are to relate with the people in a way that will not create fear in their minds. Answers to our prayers often come in unexpected and incredible ways.
From the way the angel spoke to Zacharias, he had probably ceased praying for a child because of old age. However, God surprised him. With God all things are possible; hence, we should never give up on anything that He has promised us in His Word. We should persevere in prayer until the answer comes (Luke l8:1-8). The angel predicted other details and gave further instructions concerning the expected child.
All that the angel spoke concerning John were fulfilled. He said many people would rejoice at his birth (Luke 1:14,58); the child would be great in the sight of the Lord (Luke 1:15; Matthew 11:11); he was to drink neither wine nor strong drink (in compliance with the Old Testament law of Nazarites (Luke 1:15; Matthew 3:4; Numbers 6:2-4); he would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb and, consequently, be empowered to carry on a ministry similar to that of prophet Elijah of the Old Testament (Luke l:17; Matthew 17:1-13): and he would be a forerunner of the Messiah (Luke 1:17; John 1:6-) Zacharias’ response to the angelic prediction was that of unbelief (Luke 1:18). Undoubtedly, his faith had weakened because of the delay as well as his old age.
The knowledge he had about natural laws of procreation made him doubt the supernatural information from the angel. We should be careful lest we allow our natural or intellectual knowledge hinder our faith and confidence in God’s word. The laws of nature are subject to God’s omnipotent, miracle-working power. Therefore, when God promises to do something, true believers should simply respond in the affirmative. There are times when it seems as if our problems are beyond solution and every promise in the word of God appears unrealistic.
At such times, we need to exercise faith and reckon that God is able to perform what He has promised, irrespective of obvious, negative circumstances (Romans 4:20,21). For his unbelief, Zacharias was struck with dumbness till the time John was born. Eventually, Elisabeth conceived as the angel had predicted. Though Zacharias was disciplined, God still granted him a son. Even when God disciplines us, He still loves us and would fulfill His promise to perfect what concerns us.
- THE ANNUNCIATION OF CHRIST: Luke 1:26-38; Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12
God was the first to unveil the virgin birth of Christ when He referred to Him as the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). This was His allusion to the fact that Christ would be conceived by a woman who had never known any man. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son…” (Isaiah 7:14). The word “virgin” as used in this reference means a woman that has not had carnal knowledge of any man. Luke’s gospel recorded that the angel Gabriel was sent to Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, saying, “…behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest…” (Luke 1:31,32).
Matthew, another gospel writer also revealed that Mary was found with a child by the Holy Ghost before she came together with Joseph, her espoused husband. While Joseph thought of putting her away secretly, “…the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20,21).
He further recorded that Joseph knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son, and he called His name JESUS (Matthew 1:25). During His earthly ministry, Jesus sometimes referred to others as His mother, brothers, sisters, but never called any mortal man His father – not even Joseph (Matthew 12:49,50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-2 1l). He always referred to God as His Father and this is another proof of His deity and divinity. The Bible says that Joseph was a just man (Matthew 1:19). If he had had carnal knowledge of Mary before Christ was conceived, he would not have thought of putting her away, and would not be qualified to be referred to as a “just man”.
On the other hand, if Mary as an espoused virgin had conceived through another man before her marriage, it would have been right for Joseph to put her away (Deuteronomy 22:13-21; Matthew 19:9). In fact, the angel of God bore witness that the seed conceived in Mary was by the power of the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35).
Though we know that the birth of Samson and John the Baptist were also announced by angels (Judges 13:2-5; Luke 1:1l1-15,26-33), that of Christ was unique because Samson and John the Baptist had earthly fathers. They were all descendants of Adam’s fallen race. The virgin birth is thus an essential doctrinal truth which must be upheld because of its significance in God’s redemptive programme and its necessity for the salvation of mankind. Disputing this cardinal doctrine is, by implication, faulting the Scripture’s claim and denying Christ’s deity and distinctive sinlessness that qualified Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Christ is the spotless Lamb of God found in fashion as a man. His incarnation through the virgin birth is God’s divine design, which finite minds cannot comprehend (Isaiah 55:9). To receive and believe the Scripture’s claim about Christ’s birth by a virgin- mother is to settle the question of the mystery and omnipotence of God. The virgin birth is therefore a unique sign from God conferred on Christ and Him alone. No other living soul had ever or will ever be conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in this peculiar, spectacular manner.
- BIRTH AND EARLY DAYS OF JOHN: Luke 1:57-80; 1:13
“Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her” (Luke 1:57,58). The birth of John caused joy, not only in Zacharias’ family, but also in the neighbourhood and they rejoiced with them. On the eight day, the child was circumcised and named. As the custom was, the relations called the child after his father, Zacharias. But Elisabeth objected and called him John’, as the angel had directed Zacharias also “…asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all.” As soon as they named the child, Zacharias’ mouth was opened, his tongue loosed and he spoke and praised God (Ezekiel 24:27). Filled with the Holy Ghost, he also prophesied. The prophecy of Zacharias contains some striking details.
One, He praised God for His intervention to redeem His people. He had prophetic insight to know that it was time for the Messiah to come from the lineage of David (verses 68, 69).
Two, he recognized that the Old Testament prophecies were about to be fulfilled, and that the stage was set “That he (God] would grant unto of our us, that we being delivered out of the hand of enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life (verses 74,75). God’s will for all believers is to attain and live the holiness life through the experience of sanctification whereby they are delivered from both outward and inward sin.
Three, he also predicted John’s calling and ministry and would be called a prophet of God and be a forerunner of the Messiah.
Four, he predicted also that many people would be saved through Christ. Thus, John was to prepare the way for Christ’s to engage in proclaiming the advent of Christ through vigorous and relentless preaching of the gospel to prepare souls for heaven.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
- What challenge can believers receive from the preface to the gospel of Luke?
- Mention some lessons that believers can draw from the lives of Zacharias and Elisabeth.
- What encouragement can those believing God for the fruit of the womb derive from the fact that Elisabeth conceived in her old age?
- From the experience of Zacharias, point out the danger of unbelief.
- Explain the ministry of John the Baptist.
- State why Christ is different from other descendants of Adam.
- Point out the details in the prophecy of Zacharias at John’s birth.