“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?” Luke 1.26-34
This story has been told time and time again throughout history. It is the story to tell—one full of hope, favor, and life. It’s the story of when God sent His Son into the world to redeem it from sin.
We’ve just read about Zechariah, whose wife, Elizabeth, is six months pregnant. Now, God sends Gabriel to another person. First, it was Zechariah, and now it’s Mary’s turn. Both were afraid when confronted by the angel: “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” But the angel Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid,” which happens often when angels appear to humans!
Mary’s reply to the angel is favorable, unlike Zechariah’s, which is doubtful. Perhaps there was something in Zechariah’s tone that differed from Mary’s. Zechariah, by the way, was a priest. He was in the Holy of Holies and, above Mary, should have responded with faith. But he doubted, while Mary believed. Even though Mary asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” her question seems more like an inquiry than an inquisition.
So, Gabriel explains that Mary, who is pledged to be married to Joseph, will conceive and give birth to a son named Jesus, meaning “Savior of the World.” Gabriel tells Mary, “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, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Talk about a gift!
When Mary heard the words of the Lord through Gabriel, she received them favorably. Later, she writes and sings a song about what the Lord has done. Zechariah, on the other hand, received the news so poorly that he was made mute until his baby was born. What a contrast—one sang praises in response to God’s blessing, while the other lost his voice!
When God approaches you with an assignment—big or small, grand or humble, amazing or mundane—how will you respond? How do you respond? Are you pleased, thankful, and rejoicing in His gracious offer to work alongside Him? Or do you find yourself weary from the work and burned out from the labor?
The next time God gives us work to advance His Kingdom, let us rejoice, respond with thanksgiving, and do what He has set before us. I’d rather sing praises to the Lord than walk around mute because of my disobedience.
“O Lord God, You are faithful and loving. Thank you for being my shield and protector. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with Your love. For You are good, and Your love endures forever. Amen.”