Page 20 - Life of Christ w videos

Study Section 4: Announcement of Christ

4.1 Connect.

Have you ever received some good news? Remember how excited you were when the news
arrived? After graduating from seminary, I applied for a job in a beautiful city at the foot of a
majestic mountain. It was a little country church and I applied to be their youth pastor. When
word came that they wanted to hire me, I was so excited. I could hardly wait to move my
young family north to this ministry opportunity. This was to be a life-changing chapter in the
life of my family.

For 400 years, God was silent. Israel was waiting for their promised Messiah. Then, when the time was
ready, God broke through the silence to announce the coming of the Savior. He was the promised
Immanuel who was to be “God with us”. Isaiah foretold that He would be a “Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This event was the most world-changing
event in the history of mankind. Excitement was in the air! God was to fulfill His promise. Let’s get into
it…

4.2 Objectives.

1. The student should be able to describe the ramifications of the virgin pregnancy for having
not completed their marriage, Mary and Joseph contemplated having a baby.

2. The student should be able to describe the birth and naming of John who was the forerunner
for Jesus Christ.

3. The student should be able to discuss the geography, history and culture as it relates to Joseph and
Mary traveling to Bethlehem and giving birth to the Messiah.

4.3 Angelic Announcement of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:26-38)

To understand this announcement, we must first understand the culture of the day in which
Mary lived. Mary was betrothed to Joseph and marriage was imminent (within 12 months).
The usual age for marriage under Jewish law at that time was 13 for boys and 12 for girls,
much earlier than today. Even though a young Jewish man was considered an adult at 13, he
would work for a few more years to save up for his marriage, generally around 18 to 20.
Joseph, according to Orthodox tradition, was probably 18 years old at this time.

The betrothal period was for one year. While the two were “married”, they did not consummate the
marriage physically and both lived under the supervision of their parents during this year. The main
reason for the waiting period was to determine the chastity of the bride. If, for any reason, she became
pregnant during that time period, then the “husband” had the right to terminate the marriage or even
have her stoned, charging her with the sin of adultery or unfaithfulness.

19