I love how the Bible routinely describes the miraculous intersecting the mundane. Mary, a young woman, was in a house when God sent an angel with a message specially for her. Luke 1:26-29 says, "Now in
the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by 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. The virgin's name was
Mary. 28 And having come in, the
angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with
you; blessed are you among women!" 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and
considered what manner of greeting this was."
God knew who Mary was and where to find her. Verse 28 is amazing to me: "And having come in, the angel said to her..." He just came in, and no invitation was required because it was an errand of the Almighty. It does not seem the angel Gabriel bothered to knock! Can you imagine being occupied with some routine household chore when suddenly an angel stood there exhorting you to rejoice? He had glad tidings to proclaim to a highly favoured young virgin, chosen by God for a special task. He said, "Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women."
Perhaps when Mary was occupied in the house she was not thinking about God at all. Maybe she felt like she was being imposed upon by all the menial tasks others expected her to do. But she could be glad because God was gracious to her, He was with her, and she was most blessed - more than she could have possibly imagined. No one but Mary will have the privilege and responsibility to carry the Son of God in her womb, yet even those who do not have a womb can rejoice in the truth of Gabriel's words to Mary. Because Jesus has come, the reasons for Mary to rejoice have been extended to all people who trust in Christ as LORD and Saviour. God's grace is sufficient for all our needs, the LORD is with us, and we are most blessed.
The angel's greeting left Mary troubled and questioning, but may those who have experienced new birth through the Gospel rejoice with thanksgiving. When we trusted in Jesus as Saviour, the Holy Spirit has come into our hearts. God has come to us and I pray this exhortation to rejoice comes as a flashing bolt of lightning that illuminates God's goodness in the darkness. Let not your soul be troubled for God has come and abides with us, and He will never leave or forsake us.
God knew who Mary was and where to find her. Verse 28 is amazing to me: "And having come in, the angel said to her..." He just came in, and no invitation was required because it was an errand of the Almighty. It does not seem the angel Gabriel bothered to knock! Can you imagine being occupied with some routine household chore when suddenly an angel stood there exhorting you to rejoice? He had glad tidings to proclaim to a highly favoured young virgin, chosen by God for a special task. He said, "Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women."
Perhaps when Mary was occupied in the house she was not thinking about God at all. Maybe she felt like she was being imposed upon by all the menial tasks others expected her to do. But she could be glad because God was gracious to her, He was with her, and she was most blessed - more than she could have possibly imagined. No one but Mary will have the privilege and responsibility to carry the Son of God in her womb, yet even those who do not have a womb can rejoice in the truth of Gabriel's words to Mary. Because Jesus has come, the reasons for Mary to rejoice have been extended to all people who trust in Christ as LORD and Saviour. God's grace is sufficient for all our needs, the LORD is with us, and we are most blessed.
The angel's greeting left Mary troubled and questioning, but may those who have experienced new birth through the Gospel rejoice with thanksgiving. When we trusted in Jesus as Saviour, the Holy Spirit has come into our hearts. God has come to us and I pray this exhortation to rejoice comes as a flashing bolt of lightning that illuminates God's goodness in the darkness. Let not your soul be troubled for God has come and abides with us, and He will never leave or forsake us.
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