This week we continue in Luke Chapter 1. Gabriel comes to see Mary and has an even more miraculous message. John was the forerunner to the Christ. But God is still preparing for the coming Savior.
We see some great responses today to God’s expected work. How we will respond to God’s completed works is an important question that everyone must answer. If you know Jesus as Savior, thank God that you have been the recipient of His Grace. If you do not know Him, I pray that you respond to His work with a heart like Mary’s
- The Coming Savior (vv. 26-33)
- We have seen the Angel Gabriel appear to Zechariah and now he is appearing to Mary
- And, like last week, we have a similar statement that has to be made “Do not be afraid”
- I won’t go into that too much this week because we touched on it last week but it bears repeating that fear would be a logical response to this. It is also worth noting that fear is a common response to God’s Work in the book of Luke. When God does the amazing, without some understanding on our side it can be overwhelming.
- Gabriel begins speaking to Mary and he gives this phrase in v. 28 “Rejoice, highly favored one”
- A lot is made of this verse. The Catholics take this verse and a later verse by Mary and they really run with it on Mary’s position.
- This phrase, “highly favored one” literally means “Full of Grace” and if you have heard the prayer Hail Mary, you know that is part of it.
- But I want you to also look at Eph 1:6. The word translated “accepted” here is actually the same word, full of grace. So Paul is letting ALL believers know that we have this same standing
- Believers, like Mary, are recipients of God’s Grace. So the teaching that Mary is a dispenser of Grace is a misreading of the text. She was a recipient of God’s Grace. And all who are in Christ are also recipients of God’s Grace
- Mary is then told she will conceive. Listen to the language here “You will bring forth a Son and shall call His name Jesus” Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Joshua and means “The Lord is Salvation”
- This Jesus, The Lord is Salvation, will be called the SON OF THE HIGHEST
- Zechariah understood his son John as a “Prophet of the Highest” (v 76) but Jesus is no mere prophet. He will be King. He is the Son, He has the position, He is equal to the Father. Remember, we must look at Son as positional, not offspring.
- Mary does give birth to the physical body of Jesus, but the Christ has always been. Christ is Son in His position to the Father. They are one God in Three Persons, Father, Son and Spirit. The Son is equal to the Father, seeing the Son is seeing the Father, the Son and the Father are one.
- This Jesus, the Son, will reign FOREVER. He is a coming SAVIOR
- A Model Response (vv. 34-45)
- Mary responds to this news in an Amazing way. She does ask a question, like Zechariah, but notice the difference
- Zechariah v. 18 “How shall I know” implying doubt
- Mary v. 34 “How can this be” implying process
- She needed to know how it would work. Was she supposed to marry Joseph early? Would it not be fulfilled until after the wedding? Was Joseph even meant to be the father?
- So Mary asks “How will this happen? I’m a virgin.” And her virginity, without being too crass, is important. Luke, remember, is speaking to a Gentile audience. He does not relate it back to the Prophecy in Isaiah like Matthew does, because his audience would not have been raised in the Old Testament.
- Luke let’s us know that the Holy Spirit will place this child. Remember, this will be known as God’s Son. The Christ, who had the eternal position of Son, will now be placed in the womb in flesh as a Son.
- He lets her know of Elizabeth, relating that miracle to this one.
- Mary says “I am your maidservant, your handmaiden. Let it be” Wow what an amazing response.
- The responses don’t stop there. In the next section, Elizabeth responds in amazement at the Christ.
- But it doesn’t stop there either. John, the infant in the womb, leaps for joy.
- Even Mary’s response continues with a song
- Mary responds to this news in an Amazing way. She does ask a question, like Zechariah, but notice the difference
- A Song for Our Savior (vv. 46-56)
- Notice Mary refers to this Son as Her God and Her Savior. Mary needed this also.
- This song is filled with Old Testament references and allusions. It shows us that Mary was very aware of God’s Word and aware of His Work.
- She is very humble, regarding herself as a maidservant once again.
- This prayer has similarities with Hannah’s prayer from 1 Samuel.
Sermon/Bible Study- https://fb.watch/2z1L1RfZQw/
Speak These Things- Titus 2:15 