Advent Daily Devotional - Day 3
Luke 1:34-38
‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’
The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.’
‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.
What just happened?! Mary, this young girl from the small rural town of Nazareth has just received the most incredible news: that she will give birth to the Son of God! It is an extraordinary promise and plan from God, delivered by the Angel Gabriel. It’s incredible, it’s unusual, it’s...impossible! Mary understandably has a question for the heavenly messenger, and she asks: How will this be...since I am a virgin?’ Mary is puzzled. Her question is not one of doubt but rather of curiosity and wonder. She acknowledges the impossibility from a human perspective but do you notice that she does not question God’s ability to accomplish it?
In Gabriel’s reply: the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God we have what one theologian* calls ‘one of the most Christologically** significant verses in the book [of Luke].’ God’s messenger is telling us that Jesus is divine, He is both fully God and fully human. Gabriel reassures Mary that God will achieve ‘the impossible’ because the miraculous event of Jesus’ birth has direct divine involvement.
That answer seems more than enough for Mary. Notice her incredible response: ‘I am the Lord’s servant...may your word to me be fulfilled.’ Mary’s simple yet powerful “yes” is inspiring. She doesn’t have all the answers, and she doesn’t know what lies ahead, but she trusts God anyway. She shows us that trusting God isn’t about having every detail in place or understanding every part of His plan. It’s about saying, “I’m here, God. Use me however You want.”
It’s okay to ask God questions! Like Mary, we can bring our honest questions to God and trust His faithfulness ‘For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible’ (v 37 AMP). When we take hold of promises like that, we will be less concerned with asking the “why?” questions. As an alternative, try praying “how?” with curiosity. It may well lead us to then take that same “wow!” step of faith, yielding and surrendering that Mary did: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (v38 NLT).
We can step forward in faith, knowing He’ll guide us through. Mary’s story invites us to respond with an open heart, willing to say, “Here I am, Lord. Lead me.”
*Darrell L Bock: Luke [Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament]
** Christology : literally 'the understanding of Christ', is the study of the nature (person) and work (role in salvation) of Jesus Christ. It studies Jesus Christ's humanity and divinity, and the relation between these two aspects; and the role he plays in salvation.
Questions…
v35 The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
These verses can become so familiar to us. Read the words of verse 35 again slowly, or in a different Bible translation. Pause on the words that the Holy Spirit brings to life for you.
You might respond by meditating on the word(s), reading a good commentary, drawing a picture or writing a short prayer.
v36 “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month”.
Gabriel shows Mary that miracles are already happening around her!
What’s happening around you, and how is God working? Remember how God has worked in your life or the lives of those around you – it will boost your faith, and you’ll naturally want to give thanks to your heavenly Father.
Today’s devotional was created by Catrina Benham.