“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:30–33, NIV84)

As we said in our last devotion on the previous verses, the Lord was up to something huge. The last time we saw the angel Gabriel he was speaking to Zechariah about the birth of his son John. This time Gabriel was talking about the birth of another child, but he was talking to a virgin. Gabriel began with some important first words, “Do not be afraid, Mary…” This was a common message of angels to God’s people around the time of the birth of Jesus. There needed to be no fear because the Messiah, the Savior of the world, was coming. Gabriel told Mary that she was going to have a son, and she was to make sure that His name was Jesus (God saves). All of this and the “huge” part hasn’t been discussed yet.

The child born of Mary was called “the Son of the Most High”. Mary’s child was the very Son of God. He would take over the throne of David and His kingdom would be eternal. Jesus was no ordinary child. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and virgin birthed. He came as a king of an eternal kingdom and one that would save His people. It doesn’t get any bigger than this. God touches the temporal world not with force of will, but with His very being. He came from heaven to redeem and save us so that He might take us back to heaven to be with Him.

Today, it is important to remember that God works in and through us to accomplish His good and gracious will. May He use us as He did Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church