MORNING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 3/2/2026
9:26 AM
My
Worship Time
Focus: “The Divine Messenger”
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: Luke
1:26
Message of the verse: “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel
was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,”
This is the second time that Gabriel
has given a message to one of the children of Israel, and this time it is
Mary. Gabriel’s first time to Zachariah
was the first time that Israel had herd from the Lord in over 400 years. Now astonishingly Gabriel gives another
message six months after the first message was given for Elizabeth who is now
in the sixth month of her pregnancy. Now
this birth announcement that Gabriel is giving to Mary is the most important
birth that has or ever will be made on earth.
You just have to take a few moments to think about that again and run it
over in your mind a few times.
Now Gabriel delivered this crucial
message from God not to Jerusalem as might be expected, but to a city in
Galilee called Nazareth. The NASB
calls Nazareth a city, but that is not really the best definition, as it was
not a city but a small village.
MacArthur writes that “The Greek word translated city actually
refers to a population center as opposed to a rural area, regardless of size. For the Palestinian geography, Luke noted
that Nazareth was in Galilee, about seventy-five to one hundred miles
north of Jerusalem.”
“So obscure and insignificant was
this tiny hamlet that it is not even mentioned in the Old Testament, the
Talmud, or the writings of Josephus.
(Despite the claims of some skeptics, however, archaeological evidence
proves that Nazareth did in fact exist in Jesus’ day.” “Nazareth was not on any of the major trade
routes; all the important roads bypassed it.
It was well off the beaten path, far from the important centers of
Jewish culture and religion. Moreover,
Galilee, where Nazareth was located, was known as ‘Galilee of the Gentiles’
(Isa. 9:1; Matt. 4:15) because of its proximity to Gentile regions. God’s choice of Nazareth to be Jesus’
birthplace reveals that He is the Savior of the world, not of the powerful and
elite of one nation only, but of all ‘those who are the called both Jews and
Greeks” (1 Cor. 1:24; cf. Isa. 11:10; 42:6; Luke 2:32; Acts 10:34-35; 13:48-49;
Rom. 15:9-12).”
(Isa. 9:1; Matt. 4:15)
“1 ¶ But there will be no gloom for her who was in
anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and
the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of
the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.”
“15 "The land of Zebulun and the land of
Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—’
(1 Cor. 1:24; cf. Isa. 11:10; 42:6;
Luke 2:32; Acts 10:34-35; 13:48-49; Rom. 15:9-12)
“24 but to those who are called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
“10 ¶ In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand
as a signal for the peoples— of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting
place shall be glorious.”
“6 "I am the LORD; I have called you in
righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a
covenant for the people, a light for the nations,”
“32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and
for glory to your people Israel.’”
“34 ¶ So Peter opened his mouth and said:
"Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and
does what is right is acceptable to him.”
“48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began
rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to
eternal life believed. 49 And the word
of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.”
“9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify
God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the
Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And
again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will
come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.’”
Spiritual
Meaning for My life Today: I am reading and studying about the
greatest day that has ever happened on this earth, that is the announcement of
the birth of my Savior and Lord.
My
Steps of Faith for Today: To
be thankful every day of the year that Jesus Christ came to earth to save
sinners, and I am certainly one of those.
3/2/2026
9:57 AM
PS I know
that you probably know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but lived His
childhood live in Nazareth. I was a bit confused with what MacArthur wrote
about His birth, but perhaps he meant Nazareth was where the message of His
verse took place.
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