Conceived by the Holy Spirit
Waiting for Light to Come | Erik Reed
BUT AS HE CONSIDERED THESE THINGS, BEHOLD, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO HIM IN A DREAM, SAYING, “JOSEPH, SON OF DAVID, DO NOT FEAR TO TAKE MARY AS YOUR WIFE, FOR THAT WHICH IS CONCEIVED IN HER IS FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT.” MATTHEW 1:20 (ESV)
What are the mechanics of a miracle? How does something that otherwise would not happen come into being or reality? What things unfolded in those jars of water when they turned to wine (John 2:1-11)? How did the fish and loaves of bread continue multiplying to feed the thousands of gathered people (Matthew 14:13-21)? When Jesus touched the leper, how did his diseased skin heal and repair (Matthew 8:1-4)? The Bible doesn’t answer these questions with any mechanical detail.
Jesus’ conception in the world is another miracle. Virgins don’t get pregnant. In the same way that water doesn’t magically turn to wine, women do not conceive children without a man. To get an outcome like this requires a magnificent power to overcome the natural barriers and limitations. And only God possesses such a power.
This brings us to our passage today. Joseph’s discovery of Mary’s pregnancy led him toward the actions of parting ways with her. But the angel of the Lord speaks to Joseph in a dream. He is told not to fear taking Mary as his wife. The reason? The child conceived in her womb is from the Holy Spirit. The virgin womb of Mary would be the place of a miracle. The Holy Spirit would create the material elements needed for an embryo of a man to germinate and develop in Mary’s womb.
The angel Gabriel, in response to her question about how in the world she would conceive a son, being a virgin, answers her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” A special experience of the Holy Spirit’s power took place in Mary. Like the Spirit who hovered over the face of the deep (Genesis 1:2), here He overshadows young Mary and brings about the beginnings of the God-Man.
This event holds massive significance in the Christian faith. Christians believe the virgin Mary’s conception is essential to the sinlessness of our Savior. Jesus could not be born of the seed of man, but in order to save us He still had to become a man. Man owed the sin debt to God but could not pay it. God alone has the power to pay the sin debt but does not owe it. Man owes, but only God can pay it. So, the Savior must be both fully God and fully man in order to pay for sins. That which is conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit. This is the work of God. Only the power of God can bring this about, and He has. Do not fear receiving Christ as your own and living for Him.
Questions for Reflection
This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co
BUT AS HE CONSIDERED THESE THINGS, BEHOLD, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO HIM IN A DREAM, SAYING, “JOSEPH, SON OF DAVID, DO NOT FEAR TO TAKE MARY AS YOUR WIFE, FOR THAT WHICH IS CONCEIVED IN HER IS FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT.” MATTHEW 1:20 (ESV)
What are the mechanics of a miracle? How does something that otherwise would not happen come into being or reality? What things unfolded in those jars of water when they turned to wine (John 2:1-11)? How did the fish and loaves of bread continue multiplying to feed the thousands of gathered people (Matthew 14:13-21)? When Jesus touched the leper, how did his diseased skin heal and repair (Matthew 8:1-4)? The Bible doesn’t answer these questions with any mechanical detail.
Jesus’ conception in the world is another miracle. Virgins don’t get pregnant. In the same way that water doesn’t magically turn to wine, women do not conceive children without a man. To get an outcome like this requires a magnificent power to overcome the natural barriers and limitations. And only God possesses such a power.
This brings us to our passage today. Joseph’s discovery of Mary’s pregnancy led him toward the actions of parting ways with her. But the angel of the Lord speaks to Joseph in a dream. He is told not to fear taking Mary as his wife. The reason? The child conceived in her womb is from the Holy Spirit. The virgin womb of Mary would be the place of a miracle. The Holy Spirit would create the material elements needed for an embryo of a man to germinate and develop in Mary’s womb.
The angel Gabriel, in response to her question about how in the world she would conceive a son, being a virgin, answers her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” A special experience of the Holy Spirit’s power took place in Mary. Like the Spirit who hovered over the face of the deep (Genesis 1:2), here He overshadows young Mary and brings about the beginnings of the God-Man.
This event holds massive significance in the Christian faith. Christians believe the virgin Mary’s conception is essential to the sinlessness of our Savior. Jesus could not be born of the seed of man, but in order to save us He still had to become a man. Man owed the sin debt to God but could not pay it. God alone has the power to pay the sin debt but does not owe it. Man owes, but only God can pay it. So, the Savior must be both fully God and fully man in order to pay for sins. That which is conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit. This is the work of God. Only the power of God can bring this about, and He has. Do not fear receiving Christ as your own and living for Him.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the significance of the Holy Spirit being the agent of Mary’s conception, and not a man like everyone else who is conceived?
- Why did the Savior have to be fully God and fully man?
- How does the uniqueness of Jesus remind us of His worthiness of our lives?
This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co
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