We sometimes look at the various announcements of Jesus’ birth and gloss over the detailed statements of who Jesus is. Luke 1:26-38 tells the story of the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary and telling her about the baby she would soon give birth to and who He would be.
First, the angel said that the baby should be called “Jesus,” which means “Yahweh saves.” Yahweh was the name by which God revealed Himself to the people of Israel. It means “I am” or “the God who really is.”
Second, the angel said that He would be “the Son of the Most High” and “the Son of God.” Contrary to some people’s statements that Jesus never claimed to be God or that the Bible never proclaimed Him to be God are these statements that He is indeed divine. And these phrases are not just figures of speech. God clearly suggested that He would be Jesus’ Father (Luke 1:35).
Third, the angel said that Jesus would rule as a King in David’s line. Kings were one of three groups to be anointed with oil in the Old Testament (along with prophets and priests). Therefore, the angel was clearly saying that Jesus was the promised Messiah (which is translated “Christ” in Greek and “Anointed” in English). But note that although David’s rule came to an end, the angel stated that Jesus’ rule “will never end,” making him greater than Israel’s greatest human king.
Christians Read 