Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” Luke 1:26-28
A young lady named Mary minding her own business is getting ready to be married to her fiancé. She hopes to start an ordinary life like all the other young girls her age. This young lady though is not going to have an ordinary life neither will she be an ordinary wife and a mother. Mary is highly favored by the Lord.
Whenever God highly favors someone, His spotlight is on the individual, and they become subject to God’s process and purpose. Mary was a perfect example of this situation when the angel interrupted her ordinary world to announce that she will be with a child.
“But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:29-38
Mary received an amazing prophecy. The entire prophecy would have been beyond Mary’s imagination let alone trying to help others understand it. How could this be!?
First of all she was going to be with child. Wait! She is a virgin. She’s never heard of any virgin conceiving, and she’s had a pure relationship with Joseph. How is this possible?
Secondly her child was going to come through the Holy Spirit. Did she really know much about the Holy Spirit at that time? The presence of the Holy Spirit upon individuals was rare before Jesus’ arrival. Additionally, we know that God was silent for about 400 years prior to Jesus’ birth, so there were no visible or audible manifestations of God for a long time.
Thirdly, the baby someday was going to take the throne of David. The Israelites hadn’t had a king for centuries. While Mary’s ancestry went back to King David, she wouldn’t have considered herself a royalty. The Bible doesn’t even mention her father being a priest.
Finally the angel tells her that her older cousin Elizabeth who had been barren was going to be with a child as well. What changed? Why now?
Do we believe God in simplicity of faith when He speaks to us? I’m sure Mary never imagined the process the Lord had for her and for her dear son, but she just accepted the promise and believed God.
I will continue with this subject in the next devotional.