Luke 1: 26-38
(26) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, (27) to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. (28) And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. (30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (34) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (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. (36) And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. (37) For with God nothing shall be impossible. (38) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
This is a great set of events taking place.
1. An Angel is sent from God to Mary.
2. Mary is told they are highly favored, and the Lord is with thee, and blessed among women.
3. Mary is now being told they will conceive and give birth.
4. The child will be Great, and be called the Son of the most highest
5. The Holy Ghost will come upon you, and you will give birth and He will be the Son of God
6. By the way, your cousin, who is already old is also pregnant six months (that is revealed earlier in Luke chapter 1)
7. With God nothing is impossible.
We have read this story many of times. And still marvel in the beauty and preciseness of the events.
The Bible tells us she was to be married to Joseph and had never known a man (being having sex). Though her 1st response is what we would all say, how can this be?, she does relinquish to say let it be according to Thy word, meaning God’s word. She truly believed that God’s word always superseded her own intellect.
Though there is so many directions we can approach on this set of verses, I want to also focus us what we are doing to progress the greatness of God’s Kingdom.
So here is a thought.
Is there any reason God would find me to be highly favored and want to send an Angel to tell me I was going to play this very important part in changing humanity, the World? Or would I be found not worthy to handle such a task? Would I believe or disbelieve it even if it did happen?
Thoughts, Comment?
We will continue next week with part 2 of the birth of Jesus.
