The Promise Fulfilled in Christ

Luke 1:46-55

LAST week’s lesson closed on the theme of miracles, those which the Lord has wrought and continues to perform, to assure the fulfillment of his promises on behalf of his people and the outworking of his plan for blessing all the families of the earth. Today’s lesson reminds us again of one of the greatest of these miracles—the conception and birth of Jesus. The Scriptures give us very little information as to just how this was brought about, for the very obvious reason that such information would be quite beyond the human mind to comprehend. Even our greatest scientists do not understand the miracle of so-called natural conception and birth. They know only that it occurs under specific conditions, but the real secret of a newborn life is quite beyond their comprehension.

God had indicated centuries before that the birth of the One who would be the promised “seed” to bless all nations would be of a special character, for Isaac, the type of Christ, was born as the result of a miracle—both his parents being at the time far beyond the age when they could naturally expect to have children. The miraculous preservation of the natural descendants of Abraham as the people from whom Christ was to be born furnishes further evidence of God’s determination to fulfill his purpose in the earth irrespective of what man may or may not do about it.

In promising the birth of Jesus, and stating its great objective, that “of the increase of his government and peace” there was to be no end, the assurance is given that “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isa. 9:6,7) We see God’s zeal operating in the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus, thus transferring the Logos from the spirit plane to the human, that as a perfect human being he might die for the sins of the world. We see Jehovah’s zeal manifested further in raising the Lord of glory from the dead. With such miraculous power manifested in so many ways from the very time when God began to make promises concerning the Messiah until he was raised from the dead and exalted to the right hand of the Majesty on high, can we doubt that this great One will yet reign “from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth”?—Ps. 72:8

Mary’s heart rejoiced because the Lord used her so wonderfully as the mother of Jesus; and doubtless her appreciation was very pleasing to the Lord. So we today who may have the privilege of co-operating with the Lord in any phase of his work should be thankful for the opportunity, and consider it a high honor to be so used by him. Nevertheless, it will help us to maintain a proper perspective of our own relationship to God’s work if we keep clearly in mind that “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” regardless of human co-operation. God will use us, and happy are we when he does; but our continuing to be used will depend upon our appreciation and faithfulness, not upon his need for our services.

Luke 2:1-7

FUNDAMENTALLY, the world has not changed a great deal since the time Jesus was born. The whole world then was being taxed, and so it is now. It was a tax problem which took Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem that first “holy night.” They were away from home, but despite Mary’s condition, no room could be found for them in the inn. There is no reason to suppose, of course, that the innkeeper realized the importance of the child who was about to be born. To him, Joseph and Mary were just ordinary people and he could see no reason for inconveniencing other guests in order to make room for them.

So Jesus was born in a manger! Humble shepherds, watching their flocks by night, were notified of his birth, and went to the manger to see the Lord of glory. This was God’s way of introducing the King of kings to the world. Belatedly (probably two years later), wise men from the East sought out the young child and presented him with gifts; but Jesus, God’s great Gift to the world, the Gift which will mean life eternal to all who believe was, by divine arrangement, born in a manger, and greeted only by the humblest of his people.

The faithful of Israel throughout the centuries had been waiting for this great event, but few recognized its reality when it occurred. They looked for their Messiah, but were not prepared to accept one who was so humble of birth. Nevertheless, the plan of God had taken a step forward. Promises began to be translated into reality. The Messiah which was to come, had come—at least he had been born, and thirty years later he began his ministry on behalf of Israel and the world.

The Christmas message to us today is similar in many respects, for again Christ is present. He has not come this time to suffer and to die, however, but to live and to reign. The kingdoms of this world are already crumbling as this new King is marching on to victory. Soon the glory of his kingdom will be manifested to the whole world; and when it is, there will be peace on earth because God’s good will thus will be manifested toward all mankind.

QUESTIONS

Is it possible for the human mind to comprehend the conception and birth of Jesus?

How is the “zeal of the Lord of hosts” manifested in the outworking of the divine plan?

To whom was the notice first given concerning the birth of Jesus, and why?

In, what sense is the message, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come,” particularly appropriate today?

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