Has God ever changed your plans?
Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 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. 36 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. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26 (ESV)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth
- 2nd birth announcement
- This time to a teenage virgin in Nazareth – Mary
- What differences: A priest vs. obscure poor girl
- From the temple in Jerusalem to a common town in discounted Galilee
- From unbelief to childlike faith
Matthew 2:23 (ESV)
And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
The people of Judah despised the Israelites in Galilee and claimed they were not clean or kosher b/c of their relationships w/ gentiles. Yet, they had prophecies like this one
Matthew 4:15-16 (ESV)
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”
John 1:45-46 (ESV)
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
But God choose a girl from Nazareth in Galilee to be the mother of Emmanuel.
Matthew 13:55 (ESV) 53-58
Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
Luke 1:26-27 (ESV)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one (Abel – Heb. 11:6), the Lord is with you!” (2 Chron. 16:9 – the Lord looks for a heart that is completely His) 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
There no way that Mary would ever expect something like this to happen to her, we see later her sense of honor and humility.
30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus (The Lord is salvation).
Joseph was told – Matthew 1:21 (ESV)
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High (what would you think?). And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end (The Lord’s plans endure, His purposes are much bigger).”
Gabriel’s announcement affirmed the deity and the humanity of Jesus. As Mary’s son He would be human, as the Son of the most High, He would be the Son of God.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Jesus came to earth to be the savior of the world, but He also came to fulfill the promises God made to the nation of Israel.
Jesus is enthroned in heaven, but is not on David’s throne yet. These promises will be fulfilled when Jesus returns and est. His righteous kingdom on the earth.
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin (3x)?”
Mary believed the promise, but she did not understand the performance. How could a virgin give birth to a child?
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow (like the Tabernacle) you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God.
(This was God‘s objective to come upon us, over shadow us – to be born in us)
Gabriel explained that this would be a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit. God would be the Father not Joseph, it is quite possible that many thought that Mary was unfaithful to Joseph and was guilty of sin and would have held that against Mary all her life.
John 8:41 (ESV)
You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
Gabriel also mentioned that the baby would be Holy and not share the sinful nature of man.
- He committed no sin
1 Peter 2:22 (ESV)
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
- He had no sin
1 John 3:5 (ESV)
You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
His body was prepared for Him by the Holy Spirit who overshadowed Mary. Mary’s womb became the Holy of Holies for the Son of God!
Hebrews 10:5 (ESV)
Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me
Now Gabriel leaves Mary with some encouragement:
36 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.
This sounds familiar to what was spoke to Abraham:
Genesis 18:14 (ESV)
Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Many have testifies that God can do anything:
Job 42:2 (ESV)
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV)
‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Matthew 19:26 (ESV)
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Luke 1:37 (ASV)
For no word from God shall be void of power.
**God accomplishes His purpose through the power of His Word!
38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
**Mary’s faith filled response was to surrender herself to the Lord as His willing servant!
**She experienced the grace of God and believed the Word of God, therefore she could be used by the Spirit of God to accomplish the will of God!
If you heard a story of a 15 year girl who got pregnant before she was married and her husband wasn’t the father but God was, rejected by her friends and relatives, her future husband almost left her and her son was rejected and murdered – would you say she was favored by God?
I’m sure this made her popular with her friends, family and fiancé – and I am sure this favor made her wealthy too. The Lord’s favor lead her to a very challenging life filled with trial and tragedy & triumph – but also incredible moments that were worthy to be treasured in her heart.
God knew Mary’s heart and that He could count on her to trust Him, and she did. Her submission lead to our salvation. ?Might our submission lead to the salvation of others? Our obedience often doesn’t lead to instant success. We must trust God to work out His plan in His time and way, it is usually totally different for ours.
Not my will, but yours Father be done. Jesus
This is the Lord’s desired response from us as well – Have your way I am you servant, come what may. Do you think she fully understood the implications of her submission, nor do we!
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.