Tuesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 2:30-32
30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
1:30 you have found favor (lit., “grace”; Gk. charis) with God. Mary is the recipient of God’s grace, not the giver of grace. Cf. Gen. 6:8.
1:32 Most High. This name for the true God comes from Gen. 14:18–22, where Melchizedek, king of Salem, identifies Yahweh as “God Most High” (cf. Balaam [also a Gentile], Num. 24:16: “the Most High”; “the Almighty”). It became a common title for the Lord among the monotheistic Israelites, especially in the Psalms. (In Dan. 3:26; 4:24, 34 it is the title for God that both Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar hold in common, and is a favored name in the intertestamental book of Sirach.) Whereas John is the “prophet of the Most High” (Luke 1:76), Jesus is the “Son of the Most High.” He is the promised successor to the throne of David (see 2 Sam. 7:12–13, 16).
1:32 Most High. This name for the true God comes from Gen. 14:18–22, where Melchizedek, king of Salem, identifies Yahweh as “God Most High” (cf. Balaam [also a Gentile], Num. 24:16: “the Most High”; “the Almighty”). It became a common title for the Lord among the monotheistic Israelites, especially in the Psalms. (In Dan. 3:26; 4:24, 34 it is the title for God that both Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar hold in common, and is a favored name in the intertestamental book of Sirach.) Whereas John is the “prophet of the Most High” (Luke 1:76), Jesus is the “Son of the Most High.” He is the promised successor to the throne of David (see 2 Sam. 7:12–13, 16).
Study Questions:
- Another thing we learned this past weekend was that Jesus is the KING of KINGS. Not just A king, but THE King! "Son of the Most High" means that he isn't just a human, earthly king. It means he is a Divine God King that rules over kings of earth. This means he is the HIGHEST authority. God raised him from the dead and placed him over all things, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet (Ephesians 1). So, it should be a given that he is king over YOU and YOUR kingdom, right? Is he your highest authority? Does he have dominion over your life and relationships and all your stuff?
- Once again, Gabriel sets Mary's mind at ease. He tells her that she has found favor with God. He also tells her to not be afraid. This is something that is repeated throughout scripture, over and over again. "Don't be afraid!" Why do you think this is such a consistent message from God to us? Maybe it's because our tendency is to fear. Don't be afraid! God is with you! If he is with you, then who can be against you? What is your life has your anxiety levels up? Where are you prone to fear? Might that be a sign to you that you haven't surrendered this area to him?
Pray:
- That Jesus would have dominion over every aspect of your life.
- That you wouldn't fear, but find safety in your Heavenly Father.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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