Luke 1:1-80
Have you ever met an angel? A priest named Zacharias did, and he was scared to death. He had been chosen by lot to burn incense in the temple at Jerusalem. An angel of the Lord, Gabriel, appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar. He had a message from God for the frightened man. "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard."
What prayer was that? Zacharias was married. His wife's name was Elizabeth. They both wanted to have a child, but Elizabeth was barren, and both of them weren't getting any younger. In fact "they were both well advanced in years." Zacharias apparently had prayed for what seemed like the impossible. Now God was answering his prayer.
The angel continued, "Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John." He went on to say just how great this son would be. Later Zacharias went on to prophesy of his son's greatness. (Read Luke 1: 67-79.)
But the priest did not believe Gabriel. Have you ever prayed for something, and then doubt that the Lord would answer your prayer? Well, that's what Zacharias did. And as a result, he became mute, unable to speak until the child was born.
In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent Gabriel to the city of Nazareth to a young lady, Mary. She was a virgin, and engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. The angel came in on a high note, saying, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women." Mary did not appear especially blessed. She was also troubled, and didn't know what he was talking about.
He said, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."
In a situation like this she responded like any virgin would. She asked, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" Yes, Mary was a virgin.
The angel explained, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." Unlike Zacharias, Mary believed and said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word."
We know the rest of the story. Elizabeth gave birth to a son. He was named John. Mary later gave birth to a Son. His name is Jesus...Savior!
Here we have a story of two women. One was old and barren. The other was young, a virgin. Who could have imagined that either one of them would have a child?
God is not limited by our circumstances or our age. Remember..."with God nothing will be impossible." Luke 1:37.
Lord, we acknowledge that you are the Highest. We believe that nothing is too hard for You. We bow in your presence, and pray that you will increase our faith that when You answer our prayers we will not be surprised. In Jesus' name. Amen!
