The Advent Series

The Spirit’s Role

Matthew 1:18

“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.” ^{[New Living Translation]}

                 Being betrothed to someone back in Jesus day was not the same as being married to them in that they would not have been intimate yet.  So when Mary was still a virgin she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.  An Angel of the Lord told Mary that she had been chosen to carry and deliver the Son of God.  Think of how Joseph must have felt.  He was prepared to send her away in secret so as not to cause Mary embarrassment.  An angel visited Joseph as well to explain what was happening and directed him regarding how things needed to transpire.  Joseph, who was hedging at first, was understanding and obedient once the situation had been explained to him.

                 My main focus today is on the Holy Spirit.  If God’s Holy Spirit can form a child in a mother’s womb without the introduction of any bodily fluids to impregnate the woman than what on earth can he NOT do?  This is just another case in scripture that shows we are dealing with a miracle working God.  There is nothing the Lord cannot do if he decides within the parameters of his will to do it.  God knows exactly how everything needs to work out even when we do not.  He knows the time frame he has chosen to use.  He is a God of order, not of chaos, so everything is done with exact precision.  Man may ‘fly by the seat of their pants’ occasionally, but God is always in complete control of events that we only contemplate.

                 The Advent Season is in honor of many things related to Almighty God and one of the preeminent persons to be honored and revered is the person of the Holy Spirit; one 3rd of the Holy Trinity.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource:  The Life Application Study Bible, Tyndale House Publishers.