Page 301 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_03_MacArthur_Bible_March.qxd 8/8/03 14:44 Page 282

MARCH 22

1:27 a virgin. The importance of the virgin 1:34 I do not know a man. I.e., conjugally.
birth cannot be overstated.A right view of the Mary understood that the angel was speaking
incarnation hinges on the truth that Jesus was of an immediate conception, and she and
born of a virgin. Both Luke and Matthew Joseph were still in the midst of the long
expressly state that Mary was a virgin when betrothal or engagement period (Matt. 1:18),
Jesus was conceived (Matt. 1:23). The Holy before the actual marriage and consumma-
Spirit wrought the conception through super- tion.Her question was born out of wonder,not
natural means (v. 35; Matt. 1:18).The nature of doubt, nor disbelief, so the angel did not
Christ’s conception testifies of both His deity rebuke her as he had Zacharias (v. 20).
and His sinlessness.
1:38 Let it be to me according to your word.
Mary was in an extremely embarrassing and
favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are difficult position. Betrothed to Joseph, she
you among women!” faced the stigma of unwed motherhood.
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at Joseph would obviously have known that the
his saying, and considered what manner of child was not his. She knew she would be
greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, accused of adultery—an offense punishable
30
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found fa- by stoning (Deut. 22:13–21; see John 8:3–5).
31
vor with God. And behold, you will conceive Yet she willingly and graciously submitted to
in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall the will of God.
32
call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will
be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord
God will give Him the throne of His father Da- therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be
33
vid. And He will reign over the house of Ja- born will be called the Son of God. Now
36
cob forever, and of His kingdom there will be indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also con-
no end.” ceived a son in her old age; and this is now the
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can sixth month for her who was called barren.
this be, since I do not know a man?” 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your
power of the Highest will overshadow you; word.” And the angel departed from her.

DAY 22:What was the greatest of God’s commandments?
Deuteronomy 6:4–9,known as the Shema (Hebrew for “hear”), has become the Jewish confes-
sion of faith, recited twice daily by the devout, along with 11:13–21 and Numbers 15:37–41.“Hear,
O Israel:The LORD…LORD is one!”(v.4).The intent of these words was to give a clear statement of the
truth of monotheism, that there is only one God.Thus, it has also been translated “The LORD is our
God,the LORD alone.”The word used for “one”in this passage does not mean “singleness,”but “unity.”
The same word is used in Genesis 2:24, where the husband and wife were said to be “one flesh.”
Thus, while this verse was intended as a clear and concise statement of monotheism, it does not
exclude the concept of the Trinity.
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
strength”(v.5).First in the list of all that was essential for the Jew was an unreserved,wholehearted
commitment expressed in love to God. Since this relationship of love for God could not be repre-
sented in any material way as with idols, it had to be demonstrated in obedience to God’s law in
daily life. See 11:16–21; Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27.
“These words…in your heart”(v.6).The people were to think about these commandments and
meditate on them so that obedience would not be a matter of formal legalism, but a response
based upon understanding.The law written upon the heart would be an essential characteristic of
the later New Covenant (Jer. 31:33). And “teach them diligently to your children” (v. 7). The com-
mandments were to be the subject of conversation, both inside and outside the home, from the
beginning of the day to its end.

282