Lesson 2

The Birth of Jesus: Gabriel's Visit

Introductory thought questions:

1. Why is the birth of Jesus important to the Christian faith?

2. Why do you suppose it was important for an angel to tell Mary what was going to happen to her, instead of a prophet or other godly person?

Notes on the events surrounding the conception and birth of Jesus:

1. Matthew and Luke are the only ones to record the events of His conception and birth (Mathew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-2:7)

2. To have the events in somewhat of an order, read them as follows: Luke 1:26-56; Matthew 1:18; Luke 2:1-5; Matthew 1:19-25; Luke 2:6-7

3. She was already betrothed to Joseph, but not fully married yet.

4. Gabriel was the same angel who, 500 years earlier, told Daniel the exact time of the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 8:16; 9:21).

5. Gabriel means “Man of God”.

6. She was called “blessed are you among women”. It is interesting that this is used to say she is the Virgin Mary of Catholic persuasion—a goddess so to speak, to show her uniqueness; however, this term was also used in Judges 5:24.

7. This was a result of having found favor with God.

8. He told her she would conceive a Son and that He would be called Jesus. Note the description of this child:

   1. He will be great.

   2. He will be called the Son of the Highest.

   3. He will receive the throne of His father David.

      1. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.

      2. There will be no end to His kingdom.

9. Her question in response says a lot.

   1. She understood it to be happening very soon.

   2. She did not doubt the event, but could be asking if she should go ahead and rush into her marriage.

   3. She was pure and had not even considered the fact that soon she would be a married woman.

   4. Personally, I would have assumed that he referred to the near future after the marriage.

10. Gabriel's response was significant.

    1. Jesus would be conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.

    2. Because of this, He will be called the Son of God.

    3. This was a strong statement to begin the book with! It is not a mere formality or figure of speech or even like the new birth which causes us all to be children of God (born again).

       1. John 3:16—Why is Jesus called the “only begotten” when we are begotten of God too?

       2. Compare this with the statement in Genesis 22:2. How many children did Abraham have?

    4. This is stating that Jesus is LITERALLY the Son of God. This is an amazing claim that demands evidence. And that is the purpose of this section of Scripture: to give some.

Questions for review and meditation:

1. Who is Gabriel? Where have your read of him in the Bible before? Is there significance to this?

2. Why does the announcement of the birth of Jesus receive so much attention?

3. From Gabriel's visit, what should the first-time reader expect of this man, Jesus? What kind of life would you expect Him to lead?

4. From Gabriel's statements, what are we to believe about the nature and character of Jesus? About His purpose?