Six months after the angel, Gabriel, announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias, he appeared unto Mary, Elisabeth’s cousin (Zacharias’ wife). On this occasion he would pronounce the great tidings that she would miraculously give birth to Israel’s Messiah:
“Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And 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: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:30-33).
In accordance with Jewish practice, Mary was only betrothed to Joseph at this time. A betrothal was legally binding and could only be voided by divorce. Even so, the marriage usually did not come until some time later, perhaps a year. Consequently, the idea that she would conceive in her womb, without the means of human procreation, led her to ask, “how shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34).
It was in response to her simple question the angel declared the miraculous nature of her conception. “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…For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:35, 37). Her conception occurred just as the angel proclaimed. Matthew records “When…Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together [had sexual relations], she was found with child of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:18).
Jesus was not conceived by means of an earthly human father. As Gabriel declared, He is the Son of the Highest, the Son of God. Isaiah prophesied his miraculous incarnation 700 years earlier. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6; emphasis added).
Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus presented himself as the Son of God. The Jewish leaders took exception to his claim and “sought the more to kill him, because he…said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Jesus is more than a prophet or a good example to follow. He is and claims to be the Son of God. His claim cannot be swept away. What will you do with Jesus?
From the Chaplain 