A BLESSING FROM THE LORD
Luke 1:26-39
V:26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin\’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, \”Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.\”
We all want to hear good news. Good news lifts the spirit. Good news puts in
enhances our mood. Good news puts a smile on our faces. We ought to take note
when greeting someone to speak good news.
The angel Gabriel was a stranger to Mary who at that time was a teenager.
Some say she was between the ages of 14-17 years. According to the text,
the angel found her alone. He immediately presented her with good news;
highly favored and the Lord is with you.
The Lord gives us Mary’s credentials. She was a virgin. She was engaged to
be married to Joseph a descendant of King David. God made a promise to
David in 2 Samuel 7:16
Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.\’\”
God was fulfilling this prophecy through Mary his servant. Being highly favored
in this case meant Mary was chosen by God to take part in the greatest mission
on earth. Whenever there is good news, Satan is standing by to destroy it.
We should never forget that Lord is with us. That knowledge alone should
encourage us.
The name Gabriel means a champion of God. God is our champion. He sends
his angels from time to time to encourage us in times of need. The battle is
already won. It is our faithfulness that allows us to realize His work in our
lives.
The sixth month on the Jewish calendar was the month Adar which is our March.
According to the New Testament Chronology by Kenneth Doig, it was March
25th. This would put Jesus’ birth around December 25th.
V:29 Mary was greatly troubled by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, \”Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
Consider being alone and some stranger comes to you speaking complimentary words.
In today’s world, you should be alarmed and run. Mary through the wisdom
of God was alarmed. She wondered whether he spoke the truth.
Surely she would think it odd that a stranger would know what would happen to
her next, assuring her of a child, identifying the sex of the child, and naming her baby.
When someone is disturbed, reassure them with a word from the Lord.
We will all face some uncertainties in life. The word of the Lord is the comforter.
It is good to know that you got favor from Lord. Mary was given testimony
of the Lord being pleased with her life. God knows those who are faithful to Him.
V:32 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, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.\”
The Angel gave Mary the resume and the mission of her son.
He will be the Son of God the Father. He will be a descendant of David and a King
ruling over the house of Jacob. The name Jacob means supplanter, one who
wrestles with men. Jesus is the ruler of sinful men.
Notice, the Angel did not say ruler over Israel. The name Israel means contender
with God, one who serves God. Israel represents the change in those who follow
Him. Israel the Angel points to includes Jews and Gentiles. The kingdom is
the eternal place for all believers.
V:34 \”How will this be,\” Mary asked the angel, \”since I am a virgin?\”
35 The angel answered, \”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.
Mary at this point had accepted Angel\’s word as truth. There was no doubt
in her mind. She just wanted to know how this could take place since she was
not married.
It is the power of the Holy Spirit that makes extraordinary things happen in
our lives. Our submission to the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit
bestows upon us the blessings of God. Mary\’s belief was the prerequisite for
her receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the conception of Jesus.
The miracle of conception happens at the moment of her belief.
Mary had the message of God that no one around her received. She
experience the miracle of God that no one else experienced.
God can do a new thing with you that has never been done before. God
can do anything with you anytime He wants.
V:36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.\”
The angel confirmed to Mary, a teenager the miracle-working power of God.
He revealed to Mary the miracle birth of her Cousin in her old age. A miracle that
God performed six months earlier. The miracle conception of her cousin, Elizabeth
marked the date of the birth of Jesus.
V:38 \”I am the Lord\’s servant,\” Mary answered. \”May it be to me as you have said.\” Then the angel left her.
To serve God effectively, complete surrender to Him is required. A servant of God
must focus on the will of God. Mary didn\’t need her parent\’s approval or her
or the man she was engaged approval.
Mary was not concerned about the rules of civil government. Any woman caught
in adultery could be stoned to death. She put her life and reputation in the
hands of the Lord.
A servant is under the protection of the owner. She accepted God’s ownership
of her. She accepted God\’s mission for her. To the angel, she said to do to me what
the Lord wills.
Every believer is a servant of God. Every believer has a mission from God
Every believer will experience the miracles of God when they submit
to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES
AMEN
