Monday 17 December, 2012

26 In the sixth month after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee. 27 He was sent to a virgin. The girl was engaged to a man named Joseph. He came from the family line of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel greeted her and said, “The Lord has given you special favor. He is with you.” 29 Mary was very upset because of his words. She wondered what kind of greeting this could be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary. God is very pleased with you. 31 You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king like his father David of long ago. 33 He will rule forever over his people, who came from Jacob’s family. His kingdom will never end.” 34 “How can this happen?” Mary asked the angel. “I am a virgin.” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of the Most High God will cover you. So the holy one that is born will be called the Son of God. 36 Your relative Elizabeth is old. And even she is going to have a child. People thought she could not have children. But she has been pregnant for six months now. 37 Nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I serve the Lord,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me just as you said it would.” Then the angel left her.

Mary is:

• Elizabeth’s relative –News of Elizabeth’s

  miracle would have been an encouragement. God knits people together in his plans.

• A teenager. Godly. Jewish. She may have heard about the coming Messiah of virgin birth.
• She’s from a small rural town called Nazareth.
• She is a virgin and engaged to married to Joseph. This news was not in her life plan.
• She is highly favoured. And she can’t fathom that her Nazarene young life would be looked at and called favoured.
• Her responses are a great example of faith.

Mary’s responses:

1. She was troubled. A calling might be intimidating, but “Do not be afraid.”
2. She asked “How?” Her question is without unbelief. Zechariah questioned with unbelief and seeking proof. She believes but is after some understanding.
3. She accepts, receives, trusts. She instantly drops her life plan to accept God’s plan, resulting in a spectacular life, “blessed among women”.

“For no word from God will ever fail.” Lk1:37

I remember that I am favoured too because God has shown me grace – His unmerited favour.

Where am I resisting God’s call and holding onto the ideas and plans I have for my life, instead of surrendering to what He wants for me?

What words has he spoken over me? They will not fail. They will prosper.

I am Your servant. May it be to me according to Your word. Lk 1:38

Written by Lyndall Gourlay