April 4 -- LD 14, Day 3: Born of a Virgin

Luke 1:35 - “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

God gave to Mary the distinguished place of being the mother of the Messiah. Mary was a young woman who kept herself pure for marriage. She was not yet married, and could not fathom how she would be able to bring forth a child without knowing a man. God informs Mary through the angel Gabriel that this child will be born without the involvement of a man.

Jesus is the only baby ever born not to have an earthly father. In this regard, Jesus’ conception was very different from ordinary conception. While Jesus had an earthly mother, the Holy Spirit took the place of the father. The result of this wonder is that Jesus escaped the original sin and depravity of the human nature. His human nature was without corruption. And, because guilt is imputed to the person, and Jesus had a divine person, He escaped Adam’s guilt. He was in all things pure and holy. He who knew no sin was made sin for us.

As white cloth absorbs black ink, Jesus in His perfection absorbed the blackness and filthiness of our sin. Our sin was placed on His account. Even though He had not committed a single sin, He was counted as sinner before God for you and me. When we understand that wonder, we begin to understand the joy set forth by the catechism here. He is our Mediator! He is the one whom God sent to destroy my sin once and for all.