Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. AJ Espinosa, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 1:26-38. Although the first chapter of Luke largely records events surrounding the birth of John, the Evangelist provides notice that the narrative is really about Jesus, the Child who comes after John. When Gabriel makes a second visit, he is sent to announce the birth of a son, not to a barren woman, but to a virgin woman. The fact that the virgin, whose name is Mary, comes from the line of David, indicates that the Lord is fulfilling the promise to bring His Savior King into the world. Yet the victory that this Savior King will accomplish comes hidden under weakness and the cross. Mary’s question of Gabriel’s message comes from her faith seeking further knowledge, and Gabriel reveals that the Son she will carry will be conceived in her by the power of the Holy Spirit; her Child will be the Son of God Himself. As a sign to Mary, Gabriel tells the Blessed Virgin that her relative Elizabeth is