Advent thoughts #5: Jesus = Virgin Birth = Perplexing Situation

The Virgin Mary’s  Perplexing Situation

Text:  Luke 1:26-38

Introduction:  Have you ever been helped and encouraged in your life by watching someone else?  I am sure that you have.  How many of you have been warned while driving that you needed to slow down because of impending danger because you didn’t see the tail lights of the car in front of you?   Or maybe it was someone in the ditch ahead that warned you of the black ice on the road.  Watching and leaning from others is a way of life to most of us that we don’t even think about.  Today, we are going to consider a situation in the life of young Israeli woman and I trust learn a lesson of faith for our own lives.  A lesson from Mary:

I.     A Troubling Encounter (vs. 26-29).

A.  Situation: (vs.26-27).

1.  Location:   Galilee – Nazareth –
“Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” – Nathanael

2.  Persons:

• Angel Gabriel – Daniel 8:16
• A Virgin – Espoused to Joseph, named Mary

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  Isaiah 7:14

Espoused – Mnesteuo – to give a souvenir (engagement present), i.e. betroth:–espouse. (Strongs).  Espouse – To betroth –

Betroth – To contract to any one, in order to a future marriage; to promise or pledge one to the future spouse of another. ( N.W. 1828)

B.  Salutation: (vs.28).

• Hail – Greeting – meaning rejoice
• The Lord is with thee
• Blessed art thou.

C.   Consternation: (vs.29). Mary was more troubled by the saying than the Angel.  She was agitated and thoroughly confused by such a statement about herself.  Me? – Blessed and favored?  Word favored – comes from the Greek root – Charis – Grace: unmerited favor

Application:  Sometimes we are like Mary – God wants to use us, He wants to pour out His grace in our lives – but we get agitated and perplexed. If it is God’s will, He will give you more light and direction – just like God gave to Mary through His messenger Gabriel.

II.  A Profound Pronouncement (vs. 30-33).

A.  Comforting words: (vs.30).

• “Fear not”
• Favor with God – Grace

Application:  When God wants you to step out into new areas of service for Him – He will give you the grace (help) you need to do it.  II Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” What God was asking Mary must have been overwhelming.  She was to have a most unique Son.

B.  Arresting words: (vs.31 -33).

•  His name was to be JESUS: Note- one of the most common names at that time.  Hebrew – Joshua – formed from the name Hoshea – Salvation and Jehovah  – God  = Jehoshua – God Saves!2.  He would be great
• He would be called the Son of the Highest – Son of God
• He will have the throne of David
• He will reign over Israel (house of Jacob) forever
• His kingdom will have no end

III.  A Remarkable Response (vs.34-48)

A.     Mary’s puzzling question (vs.34).  How?

Obviously, Mary understood the facts of life – She understood God’s messenger to not be referring to a future son that she and Joseph would have when their marriage was consummated.  This conception was to be immediate – but how?

B.     Angel’s encouraging answer (vs.35-37).

1.  The method explained:

• Holy Ghost would come upon her
• The power of the Highest would overshadow her

2.  The result proclaimed:

• The child would be holy
• The child would be called the Son of God

3.  The power illustrated: Mary’s cousin, Elisabeth, who was barren, had already conceived!

4.  The fact stated: “For with God nothing shall be impossible!”

Application:  When God is directing us to do something for Him, He does not often send Angels.  However, we have His Word – the Bible!  If we go to the Word of God, He will show us the method, the results, the power, and all the facts we need to know to do his will.

C.     Mary’s complete submission (vs.38). And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid (servant) of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”

Conclusion:  Are you prepared to obey and submit to God’s will in your life? – What ever it may be?