If you could be a fly on the wall... #3

While usually not a fan of time travel in storylines or dramas, there is one big exception . . . I wish I could transport myself into various events captured in the Bible. Maybe you are a lot like me.

Do you ever picture yourself in a large crowd when Jesus was teaching? Hmmm. . . And let's go back--how about standing alongside the widow of Zarephath when Elijah raised her son from the dead? I mean, wow! Hmmm . . .Then too I really wish I could have been abreast of the two men on the road to Emmaus when Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures about him, from Moses to the prophets . . . can you just imagine hearing Jesus that day?1

Today as we look further into Luke's first chapter, I find myself wishing I could be a fly on the wall when the angel Gabriel came into Mary's room in tiny Nazareth.

Frankly, it is challenging to read familiar scripture and see it with new eyes, but I challenge you today to give your thoughtful attention to this amazing scene. After the angel Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah that he was to father John the Baptist, Gabriel made another visit. O, to be a fly on the wall.

From the pen of Luke, "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And 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 bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to 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.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” 2

Can you imagine what it was like for this teen-aged girl? "Ave, Maria", the angel Gabriel said to Mary, or "Greetings, Mary!" Though she had never been intimate with a man, Mary was told, 'you are going to have a son--a holy son--the one and only Son of God. You are highly esteemed by God, and this is how it will happen ...' These words of Gabriel were clearly spoken to Mary alone, a fulfillment of prophecy written by the prophet Isaiah more than 700 years earlier: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.3" This was just one of 61 major prophecies about Jesus, which Jesus fulfilled to the letter. 

Now, in a few days, we will look closely at Mary's awe-inspiring response, (and I do not use those adjectives lightly), but today, I should like to plot a different course with you.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke wrote an account that was to accurately inform, and that, he does. He described the unique nature of the Son of God who was willing to become an infant, carried in the womb of a young woman.

But, another thought struck me today: several of the things Gabriel spoke to Mary in his announcement were meant for you and me also.

These words we can both depend and stand upon, words that ought inspire and keep us filled with hope--words that we can hear God speaking to each one of us today.

The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary, 'The Lord is with you,' and then added, 'Do not be afraid, Mary'. Over and over in Scripture, the Lord assures us of his presence with us, and also tells us not to be afraid -- actually, more than 300 times in Scripture.4 We who follow Jesus closely have no need to fear anything that happens in this life, though this will require our intentionality in 'taking our thoughts captive'5 so as not to be anxious.

As Gabriel told Mary the Holy Spirit would overshadow her, (doing the specific work of miraculous conception), so too each one of our lives is meant to be filled with Him. It is almost four years later, after Jesus ascends into Heaven, that God sends the Holy Spirit to confirm that we are God's children6 because he lives in us.7

Yes, precious Mary was to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of the Most High, born of her flesh to dwell among us, to ultimately die for us, pay the price for our sin that we could not. As John would later describe, "we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world."8 Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

And then Gabriel finishes with these words that I pray you believe with all your heart: Nothing will be impossible with God.9 O, how powerful this handful of words spoken to Mary to capture both the might and the goodness of God! 

Nothing is impossible with God. Not then. Not now. 

This morning someone remarked to me, 'I am so sick of the corruption in this world!' As. Am. I. But we, of all people in the world, ought be filled with the faith and hope, the light and life, of Jesus Christ! These words from God ought penetrate our hearts and minds. Because He is with us, we need not be afraid; the Holy Spirit himself reminds us that we are His; we have a Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, whose reign will never end.

Therefore you and I must never give up!

But wait--I am wondering if you have given up on something in your life.  Is there a mountain that you just can't get over, can't seem to get around or can't get through? What are the impossible odds you are facing? Take heart! Nothing is impossible with God. Though we have doubts, though there might be fears -- God is trustworthy.

Oh Mary, we want to learn from your simple yet very big trust in God; we want to truly believe that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.

The song? yes, Sir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuDNkda8X3E

Christine

Luke #3

PastorWoman.net

1 - Luke 24.27

2 - Luke 1.26-37

3 - Isaiah 7.14

4 - in just one place: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9

5 - 2 Corinthians 10.5

6 - Romans 8.16

7 - Romans 8.9

8 - 1 John 4.14

9 - Luke 1.37