Congratulations! You have finished your first week of Jesus the One and Only, and I hope you have enjoyed every glorious moment!
What a wonderful opening to the study as we have bridged the gap between the silent years between the Old and New Testaments and the visitations by Gabriel, the Archangel, to announce the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.
On Day One, we delved into the story of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, and the promise of the one we will come to know as John the Baptist. Zechariah and Elizabeth were in their golden years and had accepted their inability to have children, although I imagine that the desire for children never left them.
Zechariah was serving in the temple as a priest, and it was his turn to burn incense inside the Temple of the Lord. This was an huge honor! As the people assembled outside and remained in a state of prayer, Zechariah was visited by the angel Gabriel who gave him a startling announcement. Can you imagine seeing an angel in person? Can you imagine being the one to directly hear a word from the Lord after hundreds of years of silence? Can you imagine hearing that in your old age, married to a post-menopausal woman, that she would conceive and give birth to a son? And, not just any son! The forerunner to the Messiah!
This boy’s name would be John. He would be great in the sight of the Lord, and be filled with the Spirit of God even in his mother’s womb. He would turn the hearts of many in Israel back to God, and in the spirit of Elijah, turn the hearts of fathers to the children, and the disobedient to righteousness. He would be the very one to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. (Luke 1:14-17 NIV) Wow!
Although the Bible says that Zechariah was a devout and righteous man, he had some problems with doubt. He questioned Gabriel, but it seemed more like he was dismissing Gabriel’s prophecy. He knew there was no physical way this promise of a child could come to pass, but he was missing the point that nothing is impossible with God. As a result of his unbelief, he lost the ability to speak at all until after his son was born and was given the name John. This was to show Zechariah that the angel’s words would certainly come to pass, that God was faithful to fulfill His promises, and that doubting God was a downright foolish thing to do!
We also witnessed an example of seeing a deep, heartfelt prayer being answer after many years of waiting and longing. Have you ever, or are you still, waiting for God to answer a prayer? Hang in there! God is faithful and will always keep His promises! If you are praying according to His Word, you can be sure that it WILL come to pass in His perfect timing! He has not forgotten about you, and He has not turned a deaf hear to your prayers!
On Day 2, we read the beautiful narrative of Gabriel delivering the news to a plain, young virgin girl from Galilee, Mary, that she would be the one to give birth to the Son of God, the promised Savior that had been prophesied to come and rescue Israel for centuries. I can imagine that she was familiar with the prophecies, and her family may have been among those who were longing for the coming of the Messiah. But, who is she that God would find favor with her and bless her so? I love her genuine humility!
She was betrothed to Joseph but was not married yet. A betrothal was a legally binding relationship, stronger than our modern day engagement, but it did not include physical intimacy. How would she explain her pregnancy to her future husband? To her parents? To the community? Oh, I can imagine the potential scandal here! However, she did not fear. While she also questioned Gabriel, her motive was quite different from Zechariah’s. She did not doubt. She wanted to know how it was going to happen, but she had a willing and submissive heart. She bowed low and said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word be fulfilled.”
Among other topics of exploration on Day 2, what really grabbed my attention was considering all that the very name of Jesus means to me, and to the world. Jesus was a common name back then, but it represented so much more! The name of Jesus is synonymous with Savior, Redeemer, our source of comfort and peace, all authority and power, utmost holiness, our victorious conqueror, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our best friend and constant companion, our healer, and so much more! He would be called Immanuel, which encompasses all of who God is, every attribute, yet He would be God right here with us. That blows my mind!
On Days 3 and 4, we continued with the portion of the story where Mary visited Elizabeth and when John was born. One thing we are never told is whether Mary stayed for the birth of John or if she left just before. She had gone to Elizabeth in her sixth month and stayed for three months, so this is a perplexing omission in the Gospels. Perhaps that was an insignificant detail, because if it really mattered to us, we would know!
We then reached the climax of this week’s study on Day 5 as we read about the birth of the Jesus Christ. The holiday of Christmas is controversial in some circles, but there have been numerous examples of God’s people celebrating moments of His faithfulness with a proclaimed holiday, and not just the commanded feasts in Leviticus. The coming of the Son of God in the flesh to fulfill the Law, to save us from our sins, to bridge the gap between us and God that had been caused by man’s sin, and to pay the price so we can have eternal life is certainly cause to celebrate! Christmas is the start of what would ultimately be fulfilled at Easter, so I say celebrate!
We read of the angelic visitation to the shepherds on that first Christmas night as well. It is amazing to me that they were the first to hear the good news, and they couldn’t keep it to themselves either! As they scurried to find the baby, they told everyone they met along the way. (Luke 2:17-18) When you have news this good, you can’t keep it to yourself!
One of my favorites parts of this story, however, is Mary’s response. With all the commotion, she sat quietly and treasured all these things in her heart. As a mother, that really touches me! I have written my thoughts about this night and what Mary must have been feeling right here at Mary’s Shoes. Enjoy it!
I am also sharing with you a song I recorded when we studied the book, Because of Bethlehem, by Max Lucado in 2016. I am not a professional by any means, but I sang a song called, “Love Came Down from Heaven,” as recorded by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. It is such a beautiful retelling of the Christmas story! May God bless you as you ponder these things in your heart as Mary did!
Week 2 Discussion Questions
ICE BREAKER: Since we are focusing on the Christmas story this week, tell us about a favorite Christmas memory.
QUESTION 1: Based on Luke 1:18-25, how did Zechariah’s receive Gabriel’s news, and what was the result? Can you relate? Have you ever doubted a promise from God? Explain.
QUESTION 2: What would be a question you would want to ask the earthly mom of the infant Christ if you ever get the chance in heaven?
QUESTION 3: Based on Luke 1:39-56, what did Mary do after receiving Gabriel’s news? Have you ever experienced a moment like this?
QUESTION 4: When was the last time you were stunned by something God did for you and perhaps wondered, “Who am I that You would even look upon me?”
QUESTION 5: What is your favorite part of the Christmas story?
QUESTION 6: What is something you learned this week that you can personally apply to your life?
Homework for the Week
- Work on the five days of homework from week 2: “The Son of God,” pp. 32 – 54
- (Optional) View Beth Moore’s video. (This is not required because of the cost. The study can be completed without the videos.) Here is a link to the viewer guides with the answers if you are unable to view the videos.
- Attend a small group meeting in our Heart to Heart Facebook group.
- Scripture memory: Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
How Does This Work?
- If you haven’t yet, register here.
- Purchase the Bible study book, Jesus the One and Only, by Beth Moore.
I would love it if you call the LifeWay store in Macon, GA, where I work, and order the study book from there. They will send it directly to you, anywhere in the continental US. It will come just as quickly as it does through our .com site, and the shipping fee is the same. Call 478-405-0428, and be sure to tell them “Sharon Lewis” sent you!
- Optional: I also recommend the book, Christ Chronological. It is all four Gospels written in parallel columns and in historical order so you can compare the Gospels side by side. I love it! This is also available at LifeWay.
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Have a blessed week of study, and I look forward to seeing you in a small group!
God bless!
