Lord’s Day, Vol. 13 No. 25

A Glorious Culminative Fulfilment – Luke 1-2

The two announcements by the angel Gabriel, who first appeared to Daniel (Dan. 8:16, 9:25), appeared to Zechariah (Luke 1:5-23) and Mary (Luke 1:26-38) heralding the birth of John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Christ in Luke 1:5-25; 57-80 and the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-52 were divinely interwoven with the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth in Luke 1:39-45 and Mary’s Song of Praise in Luke 1:46-56. The name “Zecharias” means “God remembers”, providentially, answering his prayer for a son at his old age (Luke 1:13).

The gospel writer Luke put on record lest we forget the glorious culminative fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah’s first coming with the unprecedented supernatural virgin birth (Isa. 7:14, 9:6; Gen. 3:15; Dan. 9:25-26) by Mary of Israel’s Christ or Messiah and His forerunner in the womb of the aged and barren Elizabeth who preceded His coming (Mal. 3:1-3, 4:5-6). For a woman bearing child in her old age there were Old Testament precedence, notably of the patriarch Abraham and Sarah with the birth of Isaac. It was to emphasize what Luke wanted to express, preparing our mind to believe the virgin birth in Luke 1:37 (KJV) For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Both names, John which means “God has been gracious” and Jesus which means “Saviour” were divinely given by the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:13 and 1:31- Luke 1:13 (KJV) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Luke 1:31 (KJV) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

John was Jesus’ heralder. Jesus’ birth was the apex, the culminative fulfilment of all Old Testament prophecies, the seed of the woman that will bruise the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15), conquering sin and death by His perfect life culminating in His crucifixion and resurrection from the dead the third day.

The offer of salvation through Jesus, the Christ, is faithfully presented by Luke, that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of God – Luke 1:35 (KJV) 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.

The visitation of Mary to Elizabeth after an urgent and arduous journey confirmed the words of the angel Gabriel. Mary saw the fulfilment of the angel’s words that Elizabeth was indeed six months pregnant. And the Spirit-filled acknowledgement of Elizabeth that Mary was carrying the Saviour in her womb further confirmed to Mary the angel’s words – Luke 1:43 (KJV) And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 

Mary’s testified with a Song of Praise that she was indeed carrying in her womb the Saviour of the world – Luke 1:46-47 (KJV) And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Hallelujah! The Saviour has come! Let His people praise, acknowledge and testify of Him. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee