Scripture: Luke 1:5-56 Key Verses 1:24-25; 37-38; 45
At one of our retreats, I was scheduled to share how the Holy Spirit ministered to me when I compared Mary and Elisabeth experience of having two miraculous births, that of John the Baptist and Jesus, our Savior.
The visitation of these women by angels, the difference in their age when the angel visits them and the outcome is astounding! Since I didn’t get to speak because the Holy Spirit led us another direction, I told the ladies that I would share my notes. I pray that you will see how special “WE” are as women, instruments that God has used for His purpose throughout the years.
Elisabeth description:
1. She was the wife of Zacharias, a priest.
2. She was the daughter of Aaron, priestly line.
3. Scripture tells us she was righteous in the sight of God.
4. She walked blamelessly in ALL the commandments and ALL the requirements of the Lord.
5. She had no children. Barren = shame; disgrace.
6. She was advanced in years, basically old.
7. She became the mother of the forerunner, John the Baptist, in the spirit and the power of Elijah, whose birth was foretold.
8. She kept to herself.
The same angel, Gabriel, was sent from God to Mary, and we learn the following about her:
1. She had a humble confidence. (Mary was not living in the center of Jewish culture and religion, Jerusalem, but in the often-despised town of Nazareth (does anything good come out of Nazareth?) God often chooses the foolish things of the world to humble those who are wise in their own sight. Mary was probably a teenager, since Jewish girls in that culture usually married in their teens. The Jewish betrothal lasted about a year and was legally binding, requiring a certificate of divorce to end it. Mary was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter.
2. She was a virgin.
3. She was related to Elisabeth.
4. She was engaged to Joseph, a man with a Davidic line.
5. She was a model of obedience when she said, “ I trust you God”.
6. The angel Gabriel greeted her by saying "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28). (The King James Version adds, “You are blessed among women,” The word “hail” is simply the common Greek word used for greeting someone. In Hebrew, it was “Shalom!” The phrase, “favored one,” means that Mary has found grace in God’s sight. The emphasis is not on Mary’s merit, but on God’s sovereign choice. God singled out Mary for an important task. The phrase, “The Lord is with you” means, “God will give you His help for the task He has called you to do” (see Judges 6:12).
7. She was troubled by the angel's statement. The angel went on to explain what was about to happen. Mary was to conceive and bear a son named, “Yahweh saves” (Jesus, = Joshua, in Hebrew). The angel’s words make it plain that this son will be the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s promises to David centuries before ( 2 Sam. 7:16). Mary didn’t doubt the angel’s words, as Zacharias had, (Luke 1:18), but she did ask for clarification.
8. She kept pondering what kind of salutation is this, or how could this be? Then, although Mary did not ask for confirmation, the angel graciously supplied it by telling her that Elisabeth, who had been barren and was now past her childbearing years, had conceived John by God’s power (through union with her husband). Then Gabriel added that great reminder, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Mary’s beautiful response was, “Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.”) 1:38
9. She was afraid, but submitted to the possible shame and suffering that would result from this.
We will stop here for now and visit the promises made to these women of God. Do you see how God used a virgin to do great things, but He also used an older woman. Each had a purpose in “their time”.
You also can see that it’s all right to ask for clarification, but once their questions were answered they released their lives to God’s plan.
What is God’s plan for you? Are you saying to Him, “I trust You, Lord?” Do YOU believe that nothing is impossible with God?
Are you willing to submit to God’s sovereign plan, although, at first, it may bring shame to you, like it could have with Mary. Whoever heard of a virgin getting pregnant and no man was involved?!
GOD’S sovereign plan was at work! He has a plan for you too! Are you ready to step out “in faith” and BELIEVE? We will look deeper tomorrow, until then, meditate on these things…..
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