A heavenly visitor

During the time that Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth was expecting her child, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, a young woman who was engaged to Joseph. Joseph was a descendant of King David.

Gabriel said to her, “Greetings, Mary. The Lord is with you. You are highly favored by God.” Mary was troubled by the angel’s words and wondered what he meant.

“Do not be afraid, Mary,” the angel said. “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”

“But how can this be?” Mary asked. “I am a virgin.” Mary was not married and had never been with a man.

“The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of God will be over you like a shadow,” Gabriel replied.

“I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be as you have said,” Mary answered.

Could Jesus have come to earth at any other time in history?

God chose just the right time in history to send Jesus to earth. For hundreds of years, God had been promising that a Savior would come, and His people were waiting for the Messiah. When the time was right, God sent His Son, just as He had promised. (Galatians 4:4).

Jesus came to do what no one else could do. He took the guilt and punishment for our sins on Himself and died on the cross. Everyone who puts their faith in Him receives eternal life.

Before Jesus came, people in Old Testament times had to offer animal sacrifices for their sins. These sacrifices could not actually take away their sin, but they were acts of faith in the perfect Sacrifice who was still to come—Jesus. The people were trusting God’s promise that one day He would send the Savior. In this way, even people who lived before Jesus came were saved by faith in Him.

Verse for today

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1 Peter 1:20

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