Luke 1:26-38

Week 2, Reading 1:


Text: Luke 1:26-38


26 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.


This is a text I have read numerous times and am always amazed.  Reading this passage today, on this snowing February morning, these accounts of Jesus’ birth announcement to Mary bring to focus one core reality.  Nothing is impossible with God.  Covid, political unrest, and just general darkness within our society are enough to cause many to question God.  This is a text many well read Christians fully accept within our minds but I suspect may struggle to completely grasp within our hearts.  

Two common questions I either hear or feel are implied by others include does God care and if so does God truly have the capacity to change hearts and minds in modern men and women?


I’ll be honest in a personal point of application.  Amiah is 5 and as the father of a young girl I have concerns over a societal bend toward gender inclusion, infusion, etc.  Many of the things that have occurred over the past several years concern me.  Questions I have include.  If she and I are out in public, as a responsible father, can I reasonably allow her to go into a restroom alone?  Or, if God has blessed her in the area of athletics how should I encourage her to think about competing when, at this point, there is a strong likely hood she may be playing with much stronger individuals.  As a Father I realize there will always be concerns but the weight of things in early 2021 seem overwhelming and I a question God as to why, and how?   

This is why God’s Word must constantly be considered and Luke’s account of Mary teaches us one important point. Luke records that Mary is considered a “favored one” (v.28) Why is this? This is because she has grown up versed in God’s Word.  We know this though Luke’s account of her reaction to the news in a song of praise give God the glory He deserves.  Therefore, is God choosing her for a very unique circumstance unlike anything you or I have been called to? Absolutely however Luke goes on to reveal to Theophilus through the words of Christ that “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28) I realize this morning that anyone who has access to Biblical truth, as Mary did, is considered in the same way a “favored one”.

Do you consider yourself a “favored one”?  Honestly I struggle to at times however the more I seek to spend time with the Lord in His word the more comfort and clarity I can take consider how to live, parent, and think like Christ today.  I want to reiterate to you this truth, never forget that nothing is impossible with God and despite the challenges you may be facing today God is on the throne and working all things out for His glory.  The question then is ours, will we seek Him through His word so that we maybe favored by Him and truly led by Him during these times of uncertainty? This is both our hope and our challenge.


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Luke 1:46-56

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Luke 1:5-25