Strange Story: The Birth of Jesus Part 2 A Messenger

God, “The Creator and Owner of All Things” told His messenger called “The Might of God” to go to a place called “The Holy Sprout” which was located in “The Heathen District.” Yes, there are sometimes unexpected pockets of good to be found in the midst of bad places. He was sent with a message for a girl named “The Rebellious One.”

When he appeared before her, the reaction of “The Rebellious One” was that of fear just like the reaction of every other person who has seen such a messenger sent by God. “The Might of God” was an imposing figure and so bright she could not look at him for more than a quick glance at a time. Without giving her a chance to fully adjust to what she was feeling, he started right in with his message.

He greeted her by calling her “accepted by God, honored, a recipient of God’s grace.” He said, “’The Supreme Ruler’ is your close companion, with whom you have close fellowship” (Eberhard paraphrase of Lk 1:28). He said all this despite the fact that he knew she was “rebellious” for he called her by name.

At that statement she became intensely stirred up inside; she was confused and argued back and forth with herself about the nature of this greeting, but only ended up more confused about it, and what her response should be Luke 1:29.

This is when he said what these messengers always have to say, “Don’t be afraid.” Apparently, the sight and presence of such a messenger always leaves the recipient wondering if they will be judged for their spiritual shortcomings. Hence the words “Do not fear,” really meant, “Don’t worry, I’m not here to punish you.”

Then came the heart of the message: “Now brace yourself for what I have to say, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, and you will call his name ‘The Eternal and Personal God Saves’. He will be powerful and be called ‘One-and-the-Same with the Most Awe-Inspiring, Most Powerful God’; and ‘The Supreme Ruler’ who is ‘The Creator and Ruler of All Things’ will give Him the authority of His father, the one who was ‘Loved’, and He will reign over the house of ‘The Crafty Ones’ throughout all ages, and there will be no end of His exercise of authority over them” Luke 1:31 Luke 1:32 Luke 1:33.

The first thing that caught the attention of “The Rebellious One” was all the references to a king and his kingly power. A king was usually the son of a king, or else he was a powerful general who could usurp the throne because the loyalty of the army was toward him rather than the king. But a king from the peasant class? That was unheard of! Yet “The Might of God” had spoken it. In fact he had come specifically to her with the message that she would indeed give birth to a king. If the actual might of God was behind it, then nothing could stop it.

The second thing she noticed was that this was not a description of a normal king. He would be called “one and the same with the most powerful God,” and his kingdom would last forever; it would have no end. This sounded like references to the Messiah. Is that what he was talking about? If so, this was bigger than any king. On the other hand, his words must be a reference to the Messiah because Israel was under the control of Rome; it was no longer a nation, and it had no king of its own. In order for this baby to grow up and become a king, he would have to free Israel from the grasp of the mighty Roman empire. What’s more, it must refer to the Messiah because his name was to be “God saves.” Her head was spinning with the implications of his words. Her thoughts came to her in a rush, and yet her mind was very clear.

However, something about the way the messenger said these things indicated that this would happen very soon. Her betrothed husband, “The One who Is Increasing,” would not be done building their apartment for several months, maybe even a year, so it could not be referring to him. Who then was it referring to? “The Rebellious One” did not want to be rebellious toward God and she didn’t want to doubt the messenger, but she did want to understand the message, so she asked, “How is it possible for this to happen, since I have not had sexual relations with any man?”

His reply was even more astounding than what he had already told her. He said, “The Holy Spirit will temporarily take over your body and the power of ‘The Most Awe-Inspiring, Most Powerful God’ will totally cover and surround you, and that is the reason the one to be born will be set apart for a special purpose and will be called ‘One-and-the-Same With God’” Luke 1:35.

“The Rebellious One’s” eyes looked toward the stony floor but saw nothing. Her forehead was furrowed in consternation. Does he really mean that the Holy Spirit of God will get me pregnant? That’s what it sounded like. God can do anything He wants to do, so I do not question God’s ability to do this. My issue is, “Why would God do it this way?” It’s one thing for God to bring a man from the poor, working class and raise him up to be the liberator of Israel, but for that man to start life as an illegitimate child, that is another matter. And the people will indeed see this child as illegitimate. In fact I might be stoned – but no, if God said it would happen, then I can be confident that I will live long enough to give birth to this child. After that, my life is not secure.

At this point the messenger interrupted her thoughts and added, “Now listen to this, your relative, ‘The One Who Has Bound Herself with an Oath to Give All Her Allegiance to God’, has become pregnant in her old age with a son, and this is the sixth month of pregnancy for the one everyone thought was cursed and unable to have children. For no declaration of intent made by ‘The Creator and Owner of All Things’ will be impossible for Him to fulfill” Luke 1:36 Luke 1:37.

“The Rebellious One” knew that saying “yes” would mean ridicule, rejection, and hardships, but how could she say “no”? God had chosen her for a very important task, although she was not sure why. She wasn’t sure if the messenger was seeking a response from her. Does God ask for permission from us humans before He does something? Or does He just do it? She did not know the answer to those questions, but even at her young age she knew that it would help her resolve if she responded to “The Might of God” with a clear answer; it would solidify things in her heart because she would feel committed to doing her part.

So she squinted her eyes and looked right at this shining figure and said, “See, here is my decision and my level of resolve on the matter: I will be a humble slave, bound to ‘The Supreme Ruler’; may things happen to me as you have said.” Luke 1:38

With that he disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared.

“The Rebellious One” was left alone with her thoughts.

How would she tell her parents? How would she tell “The One who Is Increasing”?

Then she remembered the messenger’s final comment, that her elderly cousin, who had been barren all her life, was now expecting a baby. “The One Who Has Bound Herself with an Oath to Give All Her Allegiance to God” was finally being rewarded for her allegiance. It had been a long time in coming, which made it even sweeter. It made sense that God had come through for “The One Who Has Bound Herself with an Oath to Give All Her Allegiance to God.” Would he do the same for “the Rebellious One”? She thought the messenger had included this information as an encouragement to her, so maybe she should choose confidence instead of doubts. Yes, she would move forward with confidence. She would also find encouragement by going to visit her cousin.

To navigate to part 3 of this story click on The Birth of Jesus Part 3 Cousins.