Luke 1:1-38
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah,of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."
19 And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time."
21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."
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.
Early this Sunday morning, the angel departing struck a thought within me. Living Words the way the Bible changes and your heart is in thought and care.
And Mary left the conversation as the Angel departed. If we had to live as Mary, would we clutch the Angel Gabriel and ask him to stay? Doubtful. Angels have to say, "Fear Not."
This is my opinion - my thought on the Angel Gabriel appearance (with a white robe):
We all have a pretty fine opinion of the Angel Gabriel who also helped Daniel. Gabriel is what you think a really great Messenger or Christian is - God is Good All the Time and so are these Blessed of God who treat you nicely in rain, shine, High water, hell conquered and Light and Kingdom of God everlasting.
Was Mary sad to see Gabriel go? "Wait, Gabriel, come meet Heli, my dad. My dad will surely want to meet you." The truth is "Fear Not" is not going to interrupt, wisely, the Purpose of God.
We are all in the same life, at times, as Mary. "Help Father God, send an Angel, I need one." We might even whimper to ask. And being like all the people of the Bible, we'd find the fix has its own issues. Because we live in a world where Jesus states "Lead us not into Temptation." Every situation we face is defining ourselves to God and our soul being presented to God. I believe Jesus is saying "Help us do our best for Father God to be pleased."
And also given Gabriel had some words with Zechariah, we might understand why Mary didn't ask him to come home to meet her mother and father. Mary might have been being kind to her unrecognized Biblically parents. In fact, we have all considered Mary - we'd have to agree - Mary was probably being nice to her parents.
And what did God do with this need for Guidance? With Mary's extraordinary faith, God gave Mary this:
Let's be real, honest and frank. Father God gave Mary "haste" to see her cousin Elizabeth almost 80 miles away. The "solution" did not appear. Mary was given the 'opportunity' to walk by faith. God is letting Mary do her best. The Light was indeed given, but was the basket going to fall on the lighted next step?
Something to think about on 'those days' and 'days may come'.
And then an upgrade -
Joseph did not tell Mary he'd divorce her, but he didn't say he'd have her stoned to death - either. Mary had the bliss of God leaving this part out. Instead, God comforts Mary to find out Joseph's decision to "Believe" a dream Father God gave and support her. God kindly skips her parents and they don't even get to be part of History. God is good all the time. Mary is seeing a Shining Light. Walking by faith - is working.
And that faith Light is Shining better and better. Isaiah said donkeys are available.
Mary and Joseph have comfort to go 80 miles with help. And in daylight. Joseph shows up in Nazareth to claim Mary - another Light is Shining. This faith walk is going better, but looks pretty difficult.
Luke 1 tells us The Light of the World arrived with Jesus.
Where is our Light of Christ?
Like Mary - we walk by faith.
Deuteronomy 4:31
"For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them."
Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:8
"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Luke 21:36
Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy.
See, do your best. Don't fall into temptation of envy, laziness, selfishness, greed, immorality, drunkenness and we could name about 100 different things.
2 Timothy 2:1
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 16
13 Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
John 13:34
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
1 Peter 4
Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so you can pray. 8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Jesus is going to lead us down amazing paths in life. He promises to be there with me. And with you.
Abba, Holy Father,
We are counting upon the Blessing of Your Word, "Nothing will be impossible with God."
We are counting upon the Blessing of Your Word, "I will be with you always."
And we want Your Living Words to cause us to Rise up. For ourselves and our concerns. For our Loved Ones. For the people You give us. Rise up. For our schools, job, state, nation. For the people of the Beloved today and tomorrow. For the Nations Trusting in You. Your Peace. More Holy Spirit Heaven on earth. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory.
Amen in our Lord Jesus.
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