Luke 1: 26-33
Gabriel appears to Mary
This is a passage that you have likely read before. Take your time when reading it and try to carefully read each word. Think about what the Holy Spirit highlights to you as you read this. Think about the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why and How when you read it. For example, who are the characters and what do we learn about them? When is this occurring? What is being foretold about Jesus?
The Birth of Jesus Foretold (NIV)
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.”
Mary is most likely a teenager from a poor family who still lives with her parents. I noticed today that twice Gabriel says that Mary is favored (verse 28 “highly favoured” and verse 30 “found favor with God”). Later in Luke, we see that that Mary knows she is blessed. Mary says in Luke 1:48 “all generations will call me blessed”.
Can you imagine how Mary would have felt when she was told she would give birth to God’s son? Talk about a shock and a life changing moment.
Gabriel makes some big statements about who Jesus is and who he will become. Gabriel speaks of how Jesus will sit on David’s throne forever, fulfilling a promise made to David in 2 Samuel 7:16. Gabriel’s words also speak to the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah who will reign on David’s throne forever (Isaiah 9:6-8). These are words that Mary probably would have immediately understood to refer to the coming Messiah
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for the miracles surrounding the birth of your Son. Thank you that when Mary’s life changed so much, that she believed your words and obeyed you. Help us to listen for you, hear when you are speaking to us, and help us to respond by following you. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus – the hope of the world.
Amen
Shared by Ian McHardy
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