THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SAVIOR'S BIRTH

LUKE 1:26-38

INTRODUCTION

          I like what Edith Deen says about Mary. “As the mother of Jesus Christ, Mary stands apart from all women in history. In art, music, and literature she has become the embodiment of all that is fine and noble in womanhood. Even to unbelievers she is the subject of adoration. No woman in the entire history of the world has been so honored and revered.

          The world’s most majestic poems, novels, and plays have had Mary and her son as their central figures. In the most magnificent cathedrals she is depicted on canvas, in stained glass windows, in bronze, marble, and stone. Through the centuries the most triumphant hymns and best-loved carols, lullabies, and folk songs have told of her preeminence among women.

          Though she never exalted herself, literature has raised her to the highest pinnacle of any woman in history. Though she never entered a palace, her picture has graced the most magnificent palaces. Though she never traveled to any farther than from Palestine to Egypt, and then by donkey, her story still travels to the farthest corners of the earth.”

          For our time together this morning, I would like us to visit a familiar scene in the Gospel of Luke concerning “The Announcement of the Savior’s Birth.”

I.                  THE SELECTION OF MARY VV. 2-29

During the sixth month, after the angel Gabriel had appeared toZacharias in the temple (verses 5-25), he was again sent by God to the earth. God did not send Gabriel to the house of Caesar. God did not send him to the house of Herod in Jerusalem. He did not send Gabriel to the house of the high priest; neither did God send him to the house of the chairman of the Sanhedrin. Rather, God sent Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth. God sent His angel to an insignificant town or village to an obscure teenager, Mary, who was a virgin, betrothed to a humble carpenter called Joseph. Spiritual greatness is not a matter of social class, monetary clout, or noble background; it is a function of the heart.  God’s approach stands in contrast to the type of credentials our world seeks and honors. External appearances count little in the sight of God.

          Nazareth was situated about seventy miles to the northeast of Jerusalem in a hollow valley of a mountain on the northern side of the plain of Jezereel. Nazareth was surrounded by hills on all sides except on the southern side, so that it could not be seen from the surrounding territory. From the hills around Nazareth one has a very extensive view in all directions. Winding in and out among the hills the great highways from Egypt to Damascus, from Jerusalem to the north, could clearly be seen in the New Testament times, white ribbons of road now floating in the dust of merchant caravans. Towering skyward in the distance were three of the most noted mountains in Scripture—the rounded dome of Tabor, Hermon’s snow clad peak, and the historic heights of Carmel. To this Galilean village Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary. God takes the initiative when He sends Gabriel to Galilee. The Scripture says that Mary was a virgin, betrothed to a man called Joseph. Betrothal in the ancient world was a part of two-stage marriage process. Betrothal unlike engagement today could not be broken, except through divorce. 1. The initial phase, the betrothal involved a formal witness agreement to marry and the giving of a bridal price (Mal. 2:14). At this point, the betrothed bride belongs to the groom and could he call his wife. 2. About a year later, the actual marriage followed, and the husband took his wife home. In the first century betrothal could take place starting at age thirteen.

          Mary’s virtuous character is evident; she is described as a virgin. Mary had grown up with a sense of personal responsibility and integrity. We can imagine that as a young girl in Nazareth, Mary was more serious and pious than other girls of her age and more giving to believing in the wonders of God. Yet, she was too humble to think that she will be the center of humankind’s greatest miracle, the birth of the Christ Child. The virgin birth is one mark of superiority for Jesus over John the Baptist. It makes Jesus totally unique. It shows that Jesus was born without sin.

          The angel greets Mary and calls her “highly favored.” The phrase “highly favored” had caused a great controversy in Roman Catholic theology. The term “highly favored” does not mean that Mary confers favor; rather, it means that Mary has received favor. God has given her His free and unmerited favor in a unique measure by choosing her as the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. God’s choice of Mary to bear this child comes from His grace, not from inherent merit that she possesses. Mary is the object of God’s unmerited favor and goodness. Mary brings nothing on her résumé other than her availability and willingness to serve. The words of the angel agitate Mary because she feels that such a greeting is not suitable for her.

II.   THE SANCTITY OF MARY VV. 30-34

          Then, Gabriel, the heavenly bearer of great tidings again reassures the agitated Mary with these words, “Fear not!” That is the same words that Gabriel used to reassure Zacharias (v. 13). As the reason Mary needs not fear, the angel declares once again that God regards and treats her as the special object of His favor. Mary needs no fear because of her humble circumstance and personal unworthiness. God has chosen her in His mercy to bring forth a Son who is to be called Jesus. This is God’s grace, pure and simple. Grace is the result of a magnanimous act of a superior as an expression of favor to an inferior. Here, the superior is God and the inferior is Mary. That is what God’s grace is all about. In Hebrew the name Jesus means, “The Lord is Salvation.” The greatness of Jesus will be different from John the Baptist. Of John it was foretold: “He shall be great in the sight of the Lord.” However, of Jesus it is declared, He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” His greatness will therefore excel everything and everybody. To Him as the One exalted above all, God will give Him the throne of His father David. The throne of David is a symbol of supreme power.

          The announcement of the angel is too overwhelming and incomprehensible to Mary. Unlike Zecharias, Mary does not doubt the veracity of the announcement; neither does she ask for confirmatory sign, but only for light on how God will accomplish this miracle or wonder. Mary asks this question because she is a virgin. She has not known any man. In other words, she was not sexually active. The virginity of Mary is emphasized to reflect the magnitude of the miracle behind the conception.

III.           THE SUBMISSION OF MARY VV. 35-38

          In the news the angel brought from God to Mary, we have an impressive testimony of the divine greatness of Jesus—a greatness completely different from that of any human being. In His existence as a man, Jesus will be of unique origin (v. 35). Born of the Virgin Mary through the overshadowing of the power of the Most High, He will be—as He eternally is—the only begotten of God the Father (v. 32). His God-given name will be Jesus, Savior; for He will save His people. Therefore, He is the one who will appear as the divine Redeemer. Unlike all other human beings, He will be without sin. He will be the holy one in an absolute sense (v. 35). Therefore, He will also be the divine King, who will reign over His spiritual kingdom unto all eternity (v. 34).

To assure Mary of the supernatural nature of the conception, the angel tells her of the pregnancy of Elizabeth, her relative. Elizabeth was barren and advanced in age, but God had healed and revived her womb. She has become pregnant. That revelation was to put Mary’s heart to rest. Then in verse 37, the angel makes one of the most remarkable statements in all of Scripture. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” The angel Gabriel who has been on several missions for God assures Mary that nothing will be impossible with God. Gabriel ("God is Mighty") was the angel that God dispatched to Daniel to tell him that his prayer has been answered (Daniel 8:16 & 9:21). God sent Gabriel to Zacharias and Elizabeth who were both impotent and barren, and have passed childbearing age. God promised that he will give them a son and they were to call him John. Zacharias doubted but the word of God came to pass. The same God has sent Gabriel to Mary this time and the promise will soon become a reality. Perhaps a doctor has declared your situation hopeless, but with God all things are possible. The great Physician can reverse the doctor’s prognosis. What man says it is impossible, God says it is possible. Whose testimony do you believe?

          Mary demonstrates the proper response of anyone who has been called by God with no credentials other than availability and a responsive heart. Mary is the Lord’s servant, and so are you, if you truly know Him. You have the right attitude and perspective to accomplish great things for God if you say: “Use me as You will. I will not refrain from serving because I do not feel qualified or usable.” Behind the availability to service is an attitude that trusts God for direction and empowerment.

          Furthermore, with God there is no need to be plagued with an inferiority complex about how He may use you and what you bring to the task. More than willing to go where God wants to take you is the realization that God can help you to overcome whatever limitation you bring to the effort. There is spiritual strength in faithfulness. Mary is not the only humble mother of Jesus, but also an example of faith in God. Mary paints a portrait of going wherever God leads, knowing that he will supply whatever is lacking.

          When the angel brought the message to Mary, she did not say, “Give me some time to think about it.” Mary did not say, “Let me consult Joseph whether we can go through this together.” Mary knew all the implications that were involved in her affirmative response to Gabriel’s announcement. She knew the gossip that would spread in the town of Nazareth. She knew the eyebrows that would be raised at her. She knew the stare and dirty looks that the town folk will give her. She knew the talk behind her back that would go on in Nazareth. She knew the stigma that would accompany her. Mary consenting to the divine assignment of carrying the holy seed of God in her womb was a risky business. She could be mistaken for an adulteress and stoned to death according to the demand of the Jewish law (Lev. 20:10; Exod. 20:14; John 8:14).

          Nevertheless, Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word.” This is no trivial matter. Mary was a young woman of humility, submission, and extraordinary faith. She was willing to commit her life to God’s divine purpose. She was willing to take God at His word and let God handle the outcome.

          Mary’s simple and steadfast faith in God puts many people to shame today. Today, when you present Christ to some people, instead of giving their lives to Him, they say, “We would like to think about it.” God wants to give you the best gift you can ever have. He wants to save you, give His Holy Spirit to live in you, and change your eternal destiny. And all that you can say to God is, “I need time to think over it because I am not ready.” God wants to save people through your testimony, but when the church meets to go on outreach you are nowhere to be found. This small and harmless assignment God has entrusted to you and me, and yet many Christians shy away from it. I thank God that Mary was ready to go on mission with God.

          I have two questions for you today. First, are you available to God? Second, are you ready to receive God's Son into your life? Jesus is the best gift you would ever have. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior this Christmas.