God's Mission
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
[To Mary] You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
~ Angel Gabriel
Luke 1:31-32
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Pondering Point
The wonder of this miraculous event may get lost in its familiarity. It’s spoken of at every Christmas program, read at most Christmas services, quoted on countless Christmas cards. Even unbelievers are familiar with the story: A virgin had a baby and named Him Jesus. But this is no ordinary birth and no ordinary baby. This is God’s doing; it is God’s will and God’s way of “delivering” His good news to the world – His “Joy” to the world!
Think about the words of God the Father to the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration: "This is My Beloved Son (His ‘Joy’), with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him." (Matthew 17:5).
The disciples listened. Mary listened and declared, “may it be to me as You have said.” And so it was. This Son of the Most High Jesus brought with Him light and life. He brought truth. He brought Himself so that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life. That is exactly what God’s will is: That we experience life with Him – by knowing God and knowing His Son Jesus. Its right at the beginning of Jesus’ personal prayer in John 17:3-4 as He completed the work God gave Him to do.
Prayer
Lord God, I want to be in a position to hear Your Word – and listen. I want to know the Word Jesus and listen to Him. When it comes to the truths and promises of Your Word – like Mary replied-- “may it be to me as You have said.” In the name of the Son of the Most High I pray. Amen.