In today’s passage, the author of Luke describes two visits
from the angel Gabriel. The first is foretelling the birth of John the Baptist
to Zechariah, whose old age hinders him from believing the message that Gabriel
delivers. His unbelief prompts Gabriel to state Who has sent him to deliver the
message and make Zechariah unable to speak until the child is born, but the
promise of a son will still be fulfilled (vs. 19-20). The author moves on in
the passage to announce the birth of Jesus. The mighty work of God through
John’s birth and ministry will be surpassed by the great miracle of Mary’s
conception and the greater work of Christ on earth. The virgin Mary is visited
by Gabriel and is told she will bear a son who will be named Jesus and He will
be called the Son of the Most High. While Mary questioned Gabriel, her later response
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word”
shows her submission and discipleship to God’s word and promise.
Questions to consider:
1)
Do you ever find yourself doubting God’s message
like Zechariah?
2)
In what ways do you currently need to have an
attitude like Mary, submitting to the Lord, becoming His servant?
Ways to pray:
Lord, thank you for your promises and using us to bring You
glory. I pray that I may remember that nothing You set before me will be
impossible with You. Please give me an attitude of submission and servant hood
for the things you call me to.
The Bux-Mont & Telford Campuses of the Penn Valley Church Multi-site Network are participating in the e100 Challenge, a 100-day Bible reading program. True revival comes from prayer and knowing the Word of God. We can only live the life God intended if we know what He says about it. Join us as we read through this plan and grow deeper in our knowledge of God's Word.
There are so many awesome things in this passage. I love the part where the presence of the yet unborn Jesus leads to Elizabeth being filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesying that Mary is the mother of God. There is no way any faithful Jewish woman would say that without divine inspiration. It is so impossible - the Lord and Creator in a woman's womb - but it really happened.
ReplyDeleteThe presence of God in the womb of Mary is not only a real mind stretcher, but also the ultimate testimony to the value of those who haven't been born yet. From the womb, Jesus was already inspiring the faithful to declarations of faith.
I also love Mary's psalm where she interprets what is happening to her in light of the whole history of God's work with her people. "His mercy extends to those who fear Him from generation to generation." That is a pretty good summary of the whole bible right there.