What Jesus Did! 'No Ordinary Baby!' — Luke 1:34-35

Friday, January 13, 2023

[After being told she would have a son,] Mary asked the angel, "But how can this happen? I am a virgin."

The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God."

— Luke 1:34-35 NLT

Key Thought

Every baby is precious. God made each child and formed that child in its mother's womb. [1] The baby promised to Mary, however, was even more precious. The Holy Spirit of God conceived Jesus in Mary's womb. He is holy, the very Son of God, with no human father. This conception is outside the realm of our human possibilities just as a person being raised from the dead is. That's the miracle of this baby and the grace of God's plan. God comes to earth to walk among us and show us his love personally. If we make room for him, this baby can bring us life and immortality. Do you believe? Maybe you are asking the same question that Mary did, "But how can this happen?" But she did believe, and the world was forever changed. As we believe, our world is changed, too!

[1] Psalm 139:13-16; Genesis 1:26-27.

Today's Prayer

Lord God, my Abba Father, help my faith in Jesus be more real and vibrant. Make my relationship with him more real as I read his story and seek to follow his lead in my life. Change my world because of my faith in your Son, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 1:9-14
  • Galatians 3:26-29; 4:3-7
  • Romans 1:2-4

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 1:34-35 NLT — "But how can this happen? I am a virgin."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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