Let me ask you this evening to turn to Luke's Gospel, chapter 1. Luke 1. We'll be looking at three different portions in the first two chapters of Luke this evening, but we'll just read the first one at this point. Verse 26, we'll read together. And in the sixth month, and this will be in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women. And when she saw Him, she was troubled at His saying and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, 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.' Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 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. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age. And this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible." And Mary said, behold, the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Amen. We'll end our reading. And again, we trust the Lord to add His blessing to the public reading of His inspired Word. Let's bow our heads together. Our Heavenly Father, we pause and would again be mindful of Your presence. We rejoice to sing hymns, not only of a Savior who has come, but a Savior who is coming again. For those stanzas are looking forward to a day of deliverance, of eternal blessing, And Lord, those are days. That is an advent that is yet to be. But as certainly as our Savior came, as You were faithful to Your Word in that first coming, Lord, so You are and will be faithful to Your Word in the second. Give us grace to occupy until You come. to bear faithful testimony, and even to cry with Your Word, even so, come, Lord Jesus. So Lord, grant us grace in these moments that we share the close of this Sabbath day. And we pray it all again in the worthy name of our Savior. Amen. We've been looking in these last Sabbath evenings at a survey of some of the miracles of our Lord. Tonight, in some ways, we don't break from that series because I want for a few moments, in a moment, to consider something of the miracle that we've read of this evening. The miracle of the virgin birth. But that will come alongside of really the thoughts we'll collect around three occasions early in Luke's Gospel where Mary is really the recipient of the words of others. We have her spoken to so clearly here by the angel. She will be spoken to by Elizabeth as we'll read following. And then, as we pass over into the second chapter after the birth of the Savior, she receives a remarkable word from Simeon, that man so often we reference here in this Christmas season as well. But it says something of the miracle of the virgin birth. We are in... well, I didn't even know how to phrase that. When I was in college, That was been a little while, not overly long, but a little while. The church was still reeling and wrestling with the modernist, fundamentalist controversy. The unbelief that came to prevail in the seminaries and overthrow faith in the inspiration of scripture. And not long after, faith in the doctrines, the various teachings of Scripture. Well, there's a religion. Machen put it well. I think we still have. I think I just put another copy in the back. It was the 100th anniversary of Machen's great work, Christianity and Liberalism. Liberalism, he asserted very correctly, is a different religion than Christianity. It was not representing the historic Christian faith, though they took over historic Christian denominations and institutions. And, well, it's many of those that are empty today. If there's no Gospel to believe, why go? Have two Saturdays and go on. But Machen wrote another work, a weighty volume, the one doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ. I entertained for a brief moment the thought of reading that afresh this week. But this week had a lot of other things going on. I read some of it again. But here, for a moment, if we could look to something of the Scriptures, and I'll invite you to turn back to the book of Genesis. You'll be familiar, it is Matthew that quotes and references the words of Isaiah. Fulfilling the prophecy, behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and thou shalt call His name Emmanuel. Clearly applying those words to Mary and to the birth of Jesus. What we've read in Luke clearly speaks of virgin birth. The announcement that Mary would conceive, that she would bear a child. She knows no man. How can this be? Well, it's a miraculous birth that is put before her. She humbly rejoices at the prospect. But one of the interesting things is that the liberals that challenged the teaching of the virgin birth in Isaiah 7, verse 14, spoke often of the word there having simply the reference to a young maiden. That it could refer to a young girl without the definite aspect of her being a virgin. But in reality, it is exactly the opposite that's true in the vocabulary of the Old Testament. And just in the one chapter of Genesis 24, there's an example of this. If you look down in verse 16 of the chapter, and this we've looked at quite recently, it's the lengthy and precious chapter of Abraham's servant Eliezer, traveling back to Mesopotamia to secure a bride for his son Isaac. He's waiting by the well. He's uttered his prayer. He has been walking with the Lord and the Lord meeting with him and directing his way. And Rebekah comes. And Rebekah is described in the first instance here with one of these Old Testament words for virgin. It says in verse 16, and the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her." This is a term not the one that's used in Isaiah. This is the term contrary to the liberal's assertion that can mean a young maiden. It isn't a term that specifically references her virginity. So when this word is used of a virgin, it needs qualification. Hence, the qualifying phrase. She was fair to look upon, a virgin, a young damsel, neither had any man known her. This is the word that needs to be qualified and sured up to be that specific. If you jump down to verse 43 in the chapter, We read here, as the servant recounts the story, he shifts and uses the other word and says, behold, I stand by the well of water, recounting his prayer, and it shall come to pass that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, give me, I pray thee, a little water. Here he uses Isaiah's word. Here he uses the word that specifically does reference a virgin. That doesn't need the extra qualification to assure that that is understood. And this is Isaiah's word. that the virgin shall conceive." The word the Holy Spirit uses is a word that definitely has that meaning. And so as we come back to Luke's Gospel, we understand clearly, we're still in the category of the miraculous. Not a miracle, not a sign that Jesus performed that we see in our series, but a work of God. And you consider that. My intention is to come on Tuesday in our Christmas Eve service to look at, well, to me, what's always a giant Christmas text. Galatians 4. The fullness of time has come. God sent forth His Son made of a woman. When we read in the confessions of the church, He was made of the substance of Mary. He had to be taken from among us to represent us. He had to truly be the Son of Man. But yet He could not be just any son of Adam. He could not have participated in Adam's sin. Hence the miracle of the virgin birth. made of the substance of Mary. Bone of our bone. Flesh of our flesh. But conceived supernaturally. And remember, we always like to use the careful wording. I don't judge those that speak thus, but we speak of Jesus becoming a man. The eternal Second Person of the Trinity didn't stop being that at the incarnation. He always was. He is now. He always and forever will be the eternal Second Person of the Trinity. That Son by eternal generation. Father, Son, and Spirit. But He took into union with Himself our nature. He can be taken from among us now. He can be the second man. The second and last Adam. God, by supernatural work, has provided our Savior in this way. Here is our miracle for this evening. But as I said, I want to look tonight at these three occasions where Mary is spoken to. This angel, the angelic visit as Gabriel speaks to her, Suggest here that there's a startling revelation. You think of the many factors that on a personal level come into the picture. Mary's afraid. Angelic visits don't happen every day. This in itself is an extraordinary and a supernatural occurrence. And so she has some natural fear. Then mingled in, there's perplexity. What does this mean? What are you saying? How can it be? Well, the angel describes the virgin birth. This is going to be no ordinary birth. This is going to be no ordinary conception. You're going to have a miraculous birth. You're going to have a unique child. And Mary, in humility, and you see on display here her faith, Her belief in the Word that the angel brings. Her understanding. You can imagine how thoughts of the Old Testament prophecies, those things she's been taught. Obviously, a godly young girl from a godly home. Part of that remnant is Simeon waiting for the consolation of Israel. What thoughts there must have been at just how some of those predictions of this expected one We're going to come to pass through her. Her willingness. She speaks of herself as the handmaid of the Lord. Some of the commentators go back and forth because it's a term here that is used at times of a slave. But I think our translations have rightly omitted that reference and put it more in this form of the handmaid, the servant girl as it were. Because sometimes, not always, but sometimes slavery included the aspect of bondage, of unwillingness, of coercion. And that is not what Mary communicates at all. No, far from it. It's willingness that she communicates. She is ready. She's happy to thus be used of the Lord. I say just on the personal level, what an example of willing service. But think of the larger picture of God's faithfulness, of the fulfillment of prophecy. He spoke this morning something of Mary and her espoused husband's Affairs, or what am I trying to say? Their position, their station. That's the word I'm trying to get. Their station in life. They're not prosperous. They're not even remotely prosperous. They're impoverished. And yet here, God is visiting them. God's faithfulness in fulfilling His Word and sending His Son at perhaps such an unexpected time and in such an unexpected way. But how must this have filled our heart with joy with regard to God's faithfulness? And here I say as an example for us, We at times, I know it's true in my own life, I see it, I confess it, I pray against it, and then I see it again. It's easy to believe that God will do something when you see the beginnings of that work already started. It's easy to see and give glory to God for answered prayer when the prayer answer has already started to come. But to be faithful, to believe when there's nothing on the horizon. When everything is contrary to the expectation of that fulfillment. That was Mary's occasion. Those are her circumstances. What prospects are there of a Messiah now? And yet, God is faithful. And Mary receives this startling revelation from the angel. She will be the vessel through which God will miraculously honor His promise. But as we turn the page, we come to the second one that comes to speak to Mary. We read in verse 39, Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste into a city of Judah. and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leapt in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voice and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which are told her from the Lord." Here, as Mary visits Elizabeth, we find a sudden rejoicing. We looked somewhat in our prayer meeting on Wednesday at Zacharias. I mean, Zacharias is one of the intertestamental characters that, at least in my preaching, I haven't given as much attention to as Simeon and Anna. They just so conveniently come together in Luke 2. They're just so conveniently on the other side of that Nativity reading that we do so frequently. But it's not just Simeon and Anna. It's not just Mary and Joseph. There's Zechariah and Elizabeth. There are others that are among that faithful remnant during those long and dark days of waiting. The days of the occupation of Gentile powers and the seemingly hopeless situation of Israel and her promises. Zachariah and Elizabeth have met with the Lord. Zachariah had received that remarkable visitation as he did his temple service. At this point in time, six months in, Zacharias is still unable to speak. He's been chastened, as it were, for his unbelief by the angel. And he will not speak until he finally utters the phrase, his name is John. But what joy Elizabeth and Zacharias know, they too are part of God's fulfillment of His purpose. Fulfillment of His promise. And Elizabeth gives testimony here. Testimony to truth. She speaks of the mother of her Lord. And again, I just pause and have you take note. So often we have indications of the knowledge that God's people have beyond just the particulars that are recorded for us in the Old Testament. I know that's a big topic and it's one to handle carefully. But these people were recipients of revelation and had more and greater revelation than is recorded. Think of Genesis itself, which we spent a lot of time in Genesis recently. The evidence of truth they knew and understood and had obviously received that in that very abbreviated account is not given to us. But it was by faith that Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. And faith comes by hearing. And hearing by the Word. They were recipients of the Word. Recipients of revelation. We read in the Gospel accounts later. There's knowledge of the day of the resurrection of the just. Now if you want to parse that, there's some pretty specific eschatology in that phrase. A specific resurrection of the just is mentioned. Elizabeth and Zacharias have no qualms in recognizing that this babe that Mary now carries is also their Lord. What must this have brought to Mary's heart as Elizabeth who's rejoicing already in the prospect of John's birth and ministry? that she anticipates the work that will be done by Mary's son. William Hendrickson, one of my favorites, as you will know, mentions here even the absence of any envy in Elizabeth. Elizabeth's son will be a voice crying in the wilderness. He'll be no mean character, as it were, in the history of Scripture. But Mary's son. is the Messiah. But it's a Gospel heart that rejoices even in the privileges of others. And Elizabeth and Mary are enabled to rejoice together. You think a little bit of this word to Mary on a practical level as well. Here are two women, one young, one not young, both expecting children. And the joyous prospect When you think of your expectations, the things you experience with your children, sometimes as a parent, you can even cross over into that dangerous realm of worry. What will they do with their lives? What will life be like for them? What will the world and the country be like for them? The one I grew up in doesn't exist anymore. What will it be in another 40 years' time? Here, these two expecting mothers have sons that will lead faithful lives. John the Baptist will faithfully cry out against the apostasy of his day. He'll call the nation to repentance. He will ultimately be martyred and Herod's prison for his faithful testimony to God's law in the midst of a lawless king. And of course, Mary's son Jesus. The crime of history, if you will, will be committed against her son. These are pieces of life that will pierce through, as we'll see in a moment. But yet the joy and knowledge of eternal things will overshadow it. Elizabeth's words to Mary, I say, brought a sudden rejoicing, not merely in Mary and Elizabeth's part. Do you notice the Spirit? The Scripture mentions the babe leaping in the womb. Well, commentators wrestle with how much can we expect a child of those many weeks to comprehend intellectually? Well, I'm thankful we don't have to try and decipher that. It's said here that Elizabeth is experiencing joy, the presence of the Holy Ghost. And that it's by the Holy Ghost that the child leaps in the womb. How much John understood at that point is irrelevant. The Spirit brought him joy. At the news, the one He's to be the forerunner and foreteller of is on the way. He'll come to understand in due time. What I say here is rejoicing. But turn, if you would, now over to chapter 2. And we'll start in verse 25. This is after the Nativity, if you will. This is when Mary and Joseph bring the offering to the temple for the dedication of the child Jesus. We've noted already a few days ago that as they bring this offering, it is the offering of the poor. Turtledove. Two young pigeons are listed here. This is their offering. But as they come to the temple, there's a man, a devout man, whose name is Simeon. And reading from verse 25, Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. The same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And my 90-second devotional with the young adults Friday night, maybe somebody would say it was a little more than 90 seconds, but not a lot. I just tried to underscore for them that phrase, waiting for the consolation of Israel. Here's a believing and discerning part of the remnant in dark days, such as Simeon. and the Holy Ghost was upon Him. And it was revealed unto Him by the Holy Ghost that He should not see death before He had seen the Lord's Christ. And He came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him after the custom of the law, then took He up Him in His arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now let us Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation. which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.' And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." This third speech to Mary, as we suggest, we find here a serious reflection. Simeon rejoices. He gives testimony to Christ. You can almost just see the tears and the joy in the face of this old man. But as he turns his attention and his thoughts and his words to Mary, behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel for a sign which shall be spoken against. Is this not what we find in the words of the Apostle Paul? That the preaching of the Gospel that the truth regarding this child Jesus will be a saver of life unto life and a saver of death unto death. What will you do with Jesus? What will Israel do with this Jesus? We know in their misunderstanding Many will seek to come and take Him by force and make Him king. Any man that can do these type of miracles can certainly help us overcome Roman armies." That's not why He came. These were the days of His humiliation, not His glory. And these same ones who cried out to crucify Him, amazingly, I know I've mentioned this before, but I remember being smitten. Maybe it was when I, in my life, became a parent. And they cried, His blood be upon us and upon our children. It's about 40 years later that the Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem. And their children pay the price of their unbelief. But even in Israel, though in Mass we can say as Romans observes and affirms, they abide in unbelief, there was a remnant in Simeon's day, a remnant through the days of the apostles, even a remnant today according to the election of grace. To some, he is the saver of life. And the preaching of his Gospel is life. but to others a savor of death unto death. And Simeon, mindful of this, gives prophecy with regard to the child. And isn't this our experience as we share the Gospel? We do not know the condition of the soul. We don't have the checklist of the elect and the non-elect. That's why we evangelize all. There will be some. And aren't we encouraged to believe in the power of sovereign grace? Some of those Jerusalem sinners. Some of those among the chief priests who stirred up the crowd to crucify Him. Luke tells us in Acts, many of them were obedient to the faith. I don't care who you've met, how deep, how far they've gone into their sins, how hopeless a case they appear to be. Show me one who's more hopeless than a Pharisee crying out for the blood of Jesus. Sinning against light and God breaking through and bringing them to glory. I can never get past hearing the words of Sinclair Ferguson with that Scottish brogue with the blood of our Savior on their hands. Received among His people. God is able. Mary can hear these words with regard to our Son Jesus. And Simeon will say to her that a sword will pierce through her own soul also. Mary's sorrows, Mary's pain, can you imagine? I don't sanction at all the dramatization, the Hollywoodization, of depicting the crucifixion. I think it's wrong. I think it's a breach of the first table of the law and could add a few other things to that list. So I don't encourage you to push your imagination and use such tools in that direction. But can you imagine at the foot of the cross Again, so strikingly, best we know, none of the disciples except John is present. But Mary is there. Can you imagine the mixture of emotion? She witnesses the suffering and death of her son. and yet the overpowering understanding. This is the salvation of the world. I dare say some unique and powerful experience was hers. These three messages to one upon whom, yes, a miracle of the virgin birth was wrought. A word in season to one that God saw as a chosen vessel and used in the fulfillment of His promise to send that last Adam to save us. Let's bow our heads and hearts together. Our Heavenly Father, tonight, again, we're grateful to be enabled to sing to such a worthy Savior. To render worship and praise, Lord, one of these hymns cried out to our triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We would worship Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And in rendering that praise and adoration, confessing too that it is only through the Son that we have access. It is only through His mediatorial work that we are brought into Your presence and enabled to worship. And so we would even tonight close this Sabbath day with thoughts and desires of the preeminence of Christ in all things. And we pray that You would make Him preeminent even in our celebrations, our family gatherings, that we would be mindful as we remember the fulfillment of Your promise And also, even as we read in our Bible reading this morning, the promise that is still true, a God who is still faithful, that this same Jesus is coming again. So bless Your Word that we have opened and shared together today. We pray it in Jesus' name, Amen.