An unexpected announcement
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him 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 ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ 34 Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ 35 The angel said to 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 holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.’ 38 Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
When Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant, the angel Gabriel was sent on another mission (see Luke 1:19) to announce another unexpected pregnancy. Mary’s response was somewhat different than Zechariah’s had been – but she too was “perplexed” (taken aback) by Gabriel’s appearing, and also by the greeting that she was “favoured”. (The word favour reappears in vs. 30.) In what way has God’s favour come to Mary, is a central question that Luke would have readers ask.
Gabriel announces the favour, Mary will be the mother of Jesus who will be “the Son of the Most High” and the ruler over a never-ending kingdom. Mary, knowing how children are conceived, asked the logical question, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (A pause for a moment: there are two options about what to do with Mary’s statement – either Mary is lying or she is telling the truth. If she is lying, then why did God choose her for this role – if she is telling the truth then we are called to believe in a miracle – in the impossible – just like Mary was invited to do.) Gabriel knew, God knew, that what was being announced was impossible (in human terms), but with God, as Gabriel said, “nothing will be impossible.” (vs. 37)
The impossible happened, God came to live among us, born as a baby, growing up, living among us – the Son of God, the ruler of the never-ending kingdom – among us. This was the declaration to Mary – that she was being favoured to participate in this impossibility. She said, “yes.” “Yes” to the impossible God would do in her and through her. May we also be willing to say “Yes” to what God wants to do in us and through us.
PRAYER:
Lord God, with you nothing is impossible. Help us to trust you for the impossible even now. Guide us to say “Yes” to participating in the impossible you are doing in our world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.