Luke 1:26-55

Luke records the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, Elizabeth’s prophesy, and Mary’s song in rich detail. We are introduced to very important details about Jesus’ nature in this passage. Gabriel explains to Mary that He will not be an ordinary human. He will be born of the Holy Spirit—and He, indeed, will BE holy. He will be called the Son of the Most High. God will give Him the throne of David and He will reign over Jacob and His descendants not just for a lifetime…but forever.

The supernatural nature of this pregnancy is affirmed when Mary hastens to see Elizabeth, who is miraculously pregnant herself. Before Mary says a word about the pregnancy, Elizabeth prophesies that Mary is the “the mother of [her] Lord” and says, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” Mary responds in glorious worship.

You can read the written text of this passage in the New International Version here if you would like to follow along or meditate on the Scripture further after you listen.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

In the midst of addressing messes in the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul reminds its members of the heart of the gospel and the power of God’s grace! They’ve received the gospel, but now they need to hold firmly to it…or their belief is in vain.

Paul also makes it clear that the resurrection of Jesus isn’t a rumor, but a reality confirmed by hundreds of eye-witnesses who were still living at the time this letter was written.

VIDEO:

Notes:

• This Scripture reading and recording are in the New International Version.
• Cephas is Peter.
• Check out Acts 9 to read about how Paul was “abnormally born.”