The story of the angel visiting Mary in Luke 1, captures the awe-inspiring moment when Mary is told she will bear the Son of God. The angel’s words remind us that God’s plans often surpass human understanding, and His power works in ways we cannot comprehend!
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. Luke 1:30-35
The angel brought the good news of Jesus’ upcoming conception and birth to Mary. Mary had no idea how this would happen since she had not been with any man. Yet, she accepted and received the will of the Father. Interestingly, she did not mention her engagement to the angel, nor did she ask the angel to inform Joseph about their exchange.
Mary’s pregnancy had the potential to alienate her from everyone and even endanger her life. Her parents might have accused her of wrongdoing, and Joseph could have assumed she had been with another man. Her countrymen might have shunned her for claiming to carry God’s child, and religious authorities could have sentenced her to death by stoning. Accepting God’s call involved significant risks for Mary.
Despite this, Mary trusted God’s plan and did not dwell on all the “what ifs.” The angel told her the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and she would conceive a holy child. These statements were given in the future tense, preparing Mary for what was to come. She chose to humbly accept the call, believe the angel’s message, and embrace God’s plan for her life.
This assignment was an incredible privilege for Mary, but it also came with great responsibility and significant personal cost. Mary’s humble response challenges us to trust in God’s promises, even when they seem impossible, knowing that His purposes are always greater than our fears.
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