Searching His Word
Seeking His Heart
Before the Christmas birth story in Luke 2, we find the back-story of Mary in Luke 1.
The story unfolds at a time when her relative, Elizabeth, is in the sixth month of pregnancy. We are given a short introduction to Mary.
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name is Mary. Luke 1:26-27
So, we know that Mary lives in Nazareth, is engaged to Joseph, and is still a virgin. It is important that Joseph is a “descendant of David” because the prophecy proclaims that the Messiah will come through the line of David.
Gabriel speaks,
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28
I picture Mary alone in her house doing something mundane like cutting up vegetables. To have anyone suddenly appear in your house would startle you, but when that someone is angelic (perhaps emanating light), it can be downright frightening. But more than his presence, it was his words that concerned her most.
Mary was greatly troubled by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:29-30
Imagine how overwhelmed you would be if an angel came to you and said you had found favor with God. You might question why and feel so unworthy. Me? What have I done to deserve this. Mary might have thought, “I’m just a common Jewish girl.” Gabriel piles on more amazing words.
“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:31-33
Whoa, slow down, Gabriel. This is more than a girl can take in! Her response lets us know that she stopped hearing his message after “give birth to a son.” She asked,
“How will this be since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34
Graciously, Gabriel explains in more detail how this will be.
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35
Has the Lord ever given you a task, a task you feel is beyond you? He specializes in doing things like that. You see, if it is a task we can easily do, then we don’t have to depend on Him. Every now and then, He “honors us” with an assignment that goes beyond ourselves, one in which we must trust Him.
Next week, we will look at one of the choice promises that comes out of this account with Mary.
~ Joyce ~