Luke 1: 26-38
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be?” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
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 to you will be called the son of God. 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. For nothing is impossible with God.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered, “May it be to me as you have said.” Then angel left her.
A Thought
Luke, a physician, writes this narrative to give witness to the truth of the miracles of birth that were happening at this time–an aged barren women giving birth to a son and a young virgin girl is to give birth to the son of God. God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth to Mary, a young virgin engaged to Joseph, a descent of David, with the news that she is highly favored and is to give birth to a son, Jesus the Son of the Most High, who will rule over the house of Jacob forever. Mary only questions how can this be. She is told of Holy Spirit that will come upon her with the power of the Most High and her son will be called the son of God. After being told Elizabeth, in her sixth month, is to give birth to a son, Gabriel says, “Nothing is impossible with God.” Mary in faithful obedience, not considering the great persuasion she would receive, responds to let it be done unto her as the Lord’s servant. All this was accomplished that mankind who had sinned against God might be reconciled to God. Thanks be to God!
Our Prayer
Father thank you that your plan of salvation for all mankind is now fully made possible by your love and grace for all to receive by faith, repentance and obedience to your word in Jesus Christ. Awaken us to live godly lives by the power of your Holy Spirit and to be ready for Christ’s return. We ask in his name, amen.
