Luke 1:26-56
Christmas time is here, and it is one of my favorite times of the year. We celebrate the great gift of Jesus. A Savior has come for us. It is truly a great time.
Today, I'd like to focus on Mary and the announcement of Jesus' birth. I can only imagine what a shock it was and how Mary must have felt when the angel Gabriel came with his momentous announcement.
We know from Scripture that Mary lived in Nazareth and was engaged to a man named Joseph. She was also a virgin. One day, she suddenly sees an angel before her who says, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you."
Mary truly was favored by God. She must have been a very special and holy person for God to entrust to her the birth and care of His Son.
In the very fundamentalist churches I grew up in, we never talked or focused much attention on Mary. These churches in fact seemed to downgrade her in order not to appear Catholic. I don't think that Mary was just like any other person, and she is due great respect. I may not agree with many of the doctrines the Catholic Church associates with Mary, but she found favor with God, I believe, because of her holiness and devotion to God.
Mary received the great news that she was to give birth to a Son, and His name was to be called Jesus. Jesus would be great, rule on the throne of his father David, and His kingdom would have no end.
This announcement is packed with great meaning. First of all, He would be Jesus the Savior. He was the coming long foretold Messiah because He would rule as David's heir. Jesus' Father was God clearly pointing to Jesus' divinity. And, Jesus Christ shall reign forever and forever.
The Bible also makes it clear that Mary was a virgin. This is an important theological point. Jesus was God's Son and not the son of a man. If Mary had not been a virgin, there could have been doubt concerning the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth. In order to be the Savior of the world, Jesus had to be born of a virgin. In order to be the spotless lamb of God without sin, Jesus had to be free from an inborn sin nature. Because he was not the son of a man but instead was the Son of God, Jesus was not born tainted by original sin. If Jesus were just a man, He could not be the one to bear our sins, pay our sin debt, and provide salvation for the world.
I'm sure Mary had a hard time taking in all that the angel Gabriel was telling her. But, Mary serves as a model of total commitment to the will of God and total reliance on God.
In the day Mary lived, a woman found pregnant without a husband could be stoned to death. At the very least, she probably anticipated that Joseph would want nothing more to do with her and that she would be held in disgrace by her family and community. But Mary cast all of this aside and uttered the words to Gabriel, "Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to you word."
Mary was willing to do what God asked her to do no matter the consequences. She said yes to the Lord and His will. She also believed that God was fully capable of bringing His will to fruition. If God was going to bring His Son into the world through her, she believed that God would keep her and the child safe and that the angel's words about Jesus would certainly come to pass.
In our lives, we should model this type of commitment to do God's will. It is certainly God's will that people hear the gospel, and believers should follow God's will and share their faith. God also has a will for our individual lives. There may be some task God is calling you to perform. Take an example from Mary and be committed. Become obedient to what the Lord is asking. God will bring about His desired results when we commit ourselves to Him. Our job is to yield ourselves to Him. The Lord will do the rest.
After Mary heard the words of Gabriel, she left Nazareth to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was six months pregnant. Mary received confirmation from Elizabeth that the child Mary was carrying was indeed the Lord. Elizabeth said that Mary was blessed among women.
Mary expresses deep thanksgiving that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son. In Luke 1:48 Mary says, "He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold from now on all generations will call me blessed."
Mary wasn't rich and didn't come for a prominent family, yet look at the mighty way God used her to bring about His purpose. God doesn't care whether someone is rich or poor. He doesn't regard age or fame. The Lord is simply looking for those with a humble heart who want to serve Him with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Mary continued proclaiming the greatness of God. She proclaimed God's merciful nature and strength. In verses 54-55 of Luke 1, Mary says, "He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever."
The Lord had kept His promise. God provided as far back as Genesis 3:15 that one day there would be a Savior. A Messiah was coming. The prophets foretold Jesus' birth. Isaiah 9:6 proclaimed that a child would be born who would be the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 7:14 declares the virgin birth. Micah 5:2 tells that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. And the words of Isaiah 53 tell how this Messiah would suffer for the sins of the world.
God kept His promise. He sent Jesus Christ into this world, born of the virgin Mary. He lived a holy and sinless life. Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross. He rose from the dead conquering death, hell, and the grave. One day, He will come again, and every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. He shall reign forever and forever.
Christmas time is here. What a season of rejoicing. May God's blessings be upon you. Amen.
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