THE VIRGIN BIRTH
Suggested Reading: Luke 1
(click scripture link to read online)
The Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Mary, informally known as the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, is regarded by many as the burial place of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The church is located in the Kidron Valley on the foothills of the Mount of Olives, just outside the old city of Jerusalem. The decor of these ancient churches is modelled after the Temple in Jerusalem which was destroyed in 70 A.D.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Luke 1:34-35
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God…”
Having completed Exodus, we arrive in Luke. Our readings from the Hebrew Scriptures to the Greek Scriptures and back to the Hebrew is for the purpose of balance between the two. Luke, the physician (Col. 4:14), gleans his material as a journalist would, from personal interviews. He was the assistant to Paul, and as such, would’ve had at least two years in Palestine while Paul was in prison. No doubt he interviewed Mary, the mother of Jesus, those who knew John the Baptist and his family, the shepherds of Bethlehem, and others during those two years.
If we believe there is a Creator God who is involved in His creation, then it’s no problem for Him to perform ongoing miraculous acts. The conception of Jesus is such an act. The Scripture makes it very clear that Mary had not known a man sexually. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He had no earthly biological father. Therefore, He was uniquely “The Son of God.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Thank You, Father God, that You, by the agency of the Holy Spirit, caused the conception of Your only begotten Son, Jesus. Even as Zacharias, Elizabeth, and Mary were moved to give magnificent messages from You, Lord God, I am moved deeply and I proclaim Your greatness. I worship You with all my heart, soul and mind. Speak through me Holy Spirit. I’m available for Your purposes. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Dr. Nelles Silverthorne was a frequent guest on the 100 Huntley Street TV program. He was a research pediatrician at Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto (Sick Kids). At the very start of his career, he was an assistant to Banting and Best, the discoverers of insulin. He gave the very first civilian injection of penicilin to a 12-year-old boy who was dying. I’ve met that boy. He’s now a medical doctor. Dr. Silverthorne erected the very first oxygen tent at Sick Kids Hospital. He developed the vaccine for whooping cough. He also carried on a practice at his office on Bloor Street. Even though he was over 80, he took on my first two grandchildren, Sheryl and Christopher Stacey, as patients. He announced on live TV, “No woman ever came into my office who was pregnant and said, ‘I know not a man.'” God had met Dr. Silverthorne at a 1950’s Billy Graham meeting and the doctor’s life was transformed. He became an outspoken believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He believed in the virgin birth, and so do I.
Yours for the certainty that God became one of us, a human being,
David
REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”
I noticed that Dr. Silverthorne accepted Jesus at a 1950s Billy Graham Crusade. I did as well and I am wondering how many other stories there are out there of people who accepted Jesus at that particular Crusade. We might be surprised at how that particular message influenced Christianity in southern Ontario. I remember rows of buses there that night from all over.
Luke’s gospel provides us a sure and trustworthy account of events as he knew them. His primary purpose was to set out an account ‘so you can be CERTAIN of tbe TRUTH of everything you were taught.’ The gospel of Luke will be a fascinating continuation of our 2 year journey together. May God richly bless you as you read His word.
Good morning, David. I also believe in the Virgin Birth and Mary’s death and burial. This leads me to the millions of Christians who believe that Mary ascended to heaven, body and soul! Consequently, Mary is an object of Worship for many of those ” Christians! ” The Bible is clear; only God is to be worshipped! Comments, anyone?
The Assumption of the virgin Mary into heaven, was according to the Christian beliefs of the Roman Catholic church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and parts of Anglicanism. Their church doctrines teach their followers these beliefs, which they subsequently follow. I share the same beliefs as David and yourself. However, I once was Catholic and prayed the rosary, believing in what I was doing and saying. Ultimately, only God knows what is right and is the one to judge. Isn’t the fact that we are in right relationship with our heavenly Father what really matters, rather than question what other Christians believe?
If it was so, who are we to judge otherwise?
I am very happy that you David through GODS LOVE are still with us!
David
My prayer is the same as yours. I also pray for healing for you if its not here
then God will in heaven where there is no pain.
Lianne Hogg
Thank you for the daily guidance in Jesus
Yes, we continue to enjoy your journey and comments of the Bible. May God continue to bless you and Morma-Jean in your ministry. We agree with the many who pray for the deliverance of the cancer which will disappear, in Jesus’ name .
As long as there is breath …we continue to pray…Jesus is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever ..The Great Physician..has His Time and His Reasons…as we seek Him First…Always Enough…Always more than you will ever know this side of heaven…the anchor holds
as we journey heading towards home….breath by breath
Prayer works….it changes ( Us ) First……Blessings David….
Thank you, David, for today’s message–one of the most moving since the start of your blog. Surely, how could anyone doubt that Mary’s womb was filled with the Holy Spirit? Jesus Christ is the one and only “Son of God.” It is His love that moves humans to carry out miraculous works of healing for each other, as the shining example of Dr. Nelles Silverthorne has shown.
My prayer for you is that all your goals will be fulfilled, but most importantly, that you are not in pain or suffering and continue to live out the most peaceful remainder of your days. With continuous blessings to you that are filled with love.
could you please give e a copy of your blog on aug 13 aug 14 thamks
. harold
i need a copy of the blog on aug 13 14 thanks harold
I’ve returned once or twice to see if anyone had commented on my earlier comment and, at the same time, read all the new comments. You are agood man, David, and I truly believe you love the Son of God with your whole heart and soul! I hope the Lord keeps you around for many more years! Cancer is a “Nasty” disease; I lost two friends this year! You’re a fighter and, with the Creator’s help, you’ll beat this thing! Dear Savior, please heal your faithful servant. Amen.
“To as many as receive him, to them gives He power,” whoever they are, to them he gives power to become sons and daughters of God. Christ said Take my life, I will take your sins.” “God LOVES us in our sins, saves us from our sins, washes us and clothes us with His own garment; and then we are able to have communion with Him.”-Dwight Moody. God’s faithful Love abides forever!
Dr. Silverthorn also attended my sister who was 14months old and had West Nile Virus. Penicillin was not available at the time. She suffered grave brain damage and was in a coma for some time. She is a darling and has impacted the world she lives in for God. She has rewards for her work. She broke her hip recently X2 and cannot walk now at 69 yrs. I was surprised at all the accolades she received and the many, many, people who came to say good-bye when she went into nursing home. She is a real treasure. My sister-in-law met Dr. Silverthorn also and Banting and Best. She was a diabetic from age 12. Thank you for this blog. I love reading with you.
My mother worked for Dr. Silverthorne in 1949 and when I was born in 1950 he became my doctor for 12 years. He was a wonderful doctor and a great man to work for my mother said. Praise God he came to know Jesus as his Lord and Saviour