God's People Are Not Alone- Luke 1:26-38

The Christmas season promises good times with family and friends over a glorious meal and around a Christmas tree. Just listen to the titles of the songs that play over the airwaves at this time of year-“I’ll be home for Christmas,” “Rockin’ around the Christmas tree,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” etc. Would it surprise you to learn that in the midst of coca-cola commercials and present wrapping that the Christmas holiday season is one of the loneliest seasons for many people? Margarita Tartakovsky writes

“Loneliness is common during the holidays.

Empty nesters, the elderly and individuals who are grieving — the loss of a loved one or a relationship — may be particularly vulnerable to feelings of loneliness” (psychotherapist Joyce Marter, LCPC).

Expectations are high, and comparisons run rampant. Many people feel tremendous pressure to be happy and socially connected. There’s a prevailing sense that everyone is living a Hallmark movie with the ideal family and perfect celebrations.”

Other studies suggest that “loneliness is as dangerous as cigarette smoking. Scientists have concluded that given all the drastic ways in which loneliness impacts our bodies, it represent as great a risk for our long term health and longevity as smoking cigarettes. Indeed, studies have concluded that chronic loneliness increases our risk of an early death by 14%.”

It is apparent that our culture of connectivity and instant information is no cure for the loneliness bug and that the holiday season can potentially make things worse.

Whether you feel the lonely bug now or not, we are all prone to periods of feeling isolated from others and even from God Himself. However, as we kick off our new series “Not Alone” we are going to look at 4 Parts of a conversation experienced by two unlikely individuals—an archangel and a teenage girl—that demonstrates one simple truth: God’s people are never alone.  

I. PART 1: The Context of the Message-1:26-27

The timing of the conversation found in Luke 1:26ff is intimately connected to the first 25 verses of Luke’s Gospel. Jesus’ story begins as yet another story has already been introduced—the birth of Jesus’ would-be cousin John.  This correlation is draw to show how Jesus’ life and work was a large part of an even greater narrative God was in the process of writing. Just as Elizabeth had conceived miraculously in her old age, Mary would conceive even more miraculously in her virginity. When John would be called great in the sight of the Lord (1:15), the Lord Jesus would be called the Son of God (1:32 & 35). 

After the timing of this conversation is identified, the messenger is revealed-“…the angel Gabriel was sent from God…”(1:26b).  Gabriel is the trusted messenger whom God sent from the eternal glory of heaven. His angelic resume makes Gabriel a perfect choice for this particular as it is riddled with eschatological proclamations. Twice in Daniel, it is Gabriel who brings news of the end of the ages. This new message He will bring to Mary is yet another announcement of God coming to earth.

Consider this! God had not spoken to His people in over 400 years! Though God’s people may have felt abandoned and alone, believing that their best years were behind them, Gabriel proves this is not the case.

Now that we’ve examined the time and source of the message Mary was given, it follows next that we uncover the location in which the message was received—“ to a city in Galilee called Nazareth…” (1:26c). Luke is oddly specific (as would become his trademark in Luke and in Acts) concerning where Gabriel was sent. Nazareth was the Schertz of Israel.  Have you heard of Schertz, TX? Exactly. In order to help his readers understand where the tiny town of Nazareth was, he gives its location according to its proximity to the better-known Galilee. The humility of this birthplace is made even more acute in John 1:46 when Nathaniel says, “What good can come out of Nazareth?” Humble beginnings like this are not accidental nor are they superfluous. It is purposeful that God would allow His Son to be sent in such a humble way as His ministry would be forever marked with humility and His destiny marked with an even greater humiliation (the cross). God’s glory is, even in Christ’s birth, shown most beautifully in the most unlikely of places.

Part of understanding the context of this interaction involves understanding who was included in the activity. Luke clearly emphasizes here and elsewhere that Gabriel was sent to a virgin woman—“…To a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary” (1:27). Not only was this woman a virgin, she was given to be married to a man –something that could not be broken except through something similar to a formal divorce. At this time, Mary would have probably been only 15 years old. Some scholars suggest she was even a younger 13 (as this was the normal age of betrothal).

The lucky fiancé of this young lady was none other than Joseph of the descendants of David. This important factoid demonstrates Jesus’ relationship to the line of David, King of Israel, who was promised a forever kingdom. Through these context clues, Luke reveals that the message Gabriel is bringing has something to do with this royal family line. This, along with the unlikely setting and even more unlikely miracle would have created quite a stir Mary and Joseph’s life.

You can bet that Mary would never forget the encounter that was about to ensue or the conversation that will take place. There, on that lonely night, an ordinary girl learned that her and her people were not alone.

II. PART 2: The Content of the Message-1:28-33

So eager was Gabriel to bring this news that he begins talking as he was coming into Mary’s presence. While in the process of appearing, he tells Mary that God considers her highly favored, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you” (1:28). There is no evidence to suggest that this was because of any merit or special holiness she possessed (as some suggest). Instead, she had been chosen because of God’s own mysterious and glorious purposes. This proclamation of God’s choosing is quickly followed with a promise of God’s presence in her life (“the Lord is with you)”, revealing a timeless principle: once God chooses you, there is no escaping His presence. In spite of her being ordinary, “the Lord was with her” and there was nothing that either her or anyone else could do about it.

There is nothing implicitly confusing about Gabriel’s salutation. However, think for a moment about how it was given in the first place. Here is an angelic being appearing to young girl in the middle of nowhere after God has proven almost silent for 100s of years. A little confusion is understandable of this young girl who had seen nothing of this sort in all of her life, “But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was” (1:29).

The heavenly being is able to read her expression of dumbfoundedness and quickly assures her that there is nothing to be afraid of—“ Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God” (1:30). As stated earlier, this does not suggest that Mary had earned this grace in some way. Instead it means that she had been sovereignly chosen of God for the task she would soon hear about.

After assuring her, Gabriel eagerly divulges the prediction he had been sent to communicate, “…You will conceive in your womb and bear a son…”(1:31).

Immediately following the prediction of the child Himself, Gabriel provides Mary with the name of the child. This follows an Old Testament pattern of prophecy and then naming. When Brianna and I found out she was pregnant (both times) we couldn’t wait to discover whether it would be a boy or a girl. Notice that Mary is not given the opportunity of waiting to see what the sex of the baby will be. Nor is she able to name the baby for herself!

Gabriel states that the name will be “Jesus.” Luke doesn’t make a big deal out of the name, in fact, the commonality of his name in the Jewish culture runs parallel to His ordinary birthplace. However, Jesus (which means God is salvation), would prove to be anything but ordinary and his life everything but common.

 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord will give Him the throne of His father David” (1:32). According, to Gabriel, Jesus will be great…PERIOD (no qualifications, nor conditions)! Gabriel also reveals that He will be the “Son of the Most High,” which is simply another name for the Son of God. Finally, Jesus will prove to be the long-awaited heir to the throne of David. The Davidic throne is clearly a regal image drawn from the Davidic covenant’s promise of a son, a house, and an everlasting rule. In fact, the promise made to David (the hero of the Old Testament) will culminate in Jesus Christ. Words like “son” and the reference to “David” are examples of strong regal language Gabriel used to let Mary know that her son would prove to be the King her people had waited for a long time.  

However, not only will Jesus have a title and claim to the throne of David, “He will reign over a the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end…”(1:33). The phrase “house of Jacob” is another way to refer to Israel. However, the everlasting quality of His reign seems to suggest that his sovereignty will extend beyond Israel’s borders.

What an earful!

III. PART 3: The Explanation of the Message-1:34-37

Given her lack of sexual experience, Mary questions how this all will transpire. While not yet through high school, it is obvious that Mary understands that several things need to take place socially and biologically for this to happen; and yet, in keeping her vow to stay pure, she has not “known” a man—“ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be since I am a virgin?’” (1:34). This question along with the couple’s resolve to abstain from sexual activity until after Jesus’ birth help to prove that Jesus would be miraculously conceived. This is what Gabriel reveals next.

What Gabriel tells Mary runs parallel to what was spoken to Elizabeth and is similar to other stories of miraculous births in Scripture, “the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God” (1:35). Sarah gave birth to Isaac, Isaac had Jacob and Esau, Hannah had Samuel, etc. God has always enjoyed bringing life from barrenness and glorifying Himself in these miraculous births. In fact, these allusions are small foreshadowings of Christ Himself who brought life in a dead and dying world. In the midst of spiritual barrenness, Jesus breathes life. All of these miraculous births proved for each of the women and families involved that they were not alone—God was with them and His people in a special way.

Jesus’ birth through the power of the Holy God is what gave Him His perfect nature and set Him apart from any other man. His birth was the direct result of God’s creative power and because of this He can be called the Holy Child and Son of God—holy because Jesus was set-apart for spiritual service and like His Father in every way. First called the Davidic son because of his practical parents (Joseph and Mary), Jesus is now revealed to be the Son of God because of His true Father and divinity.

To help Mary to process this incredible influx of information, Gabriel draws her attention to her relative Elizabeth whose miracle birth would have given Mary pause to consider the possibility that with God, all things (even bringing God to earth in the womb of a virgin) are possible, “and behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a child in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month” (1:36).

Only God could perform this greatest of miracles—the incarnation. In Jesus’ birth, God came to earth in the form of a man, proving in a most incredible way that God’s children are not alone.  The outsider and creator of everything became the creation to save it from itself.

Message complete, proclamation given, and predictions made, Gabriel’s task is complete. He now leaves the ball in Mary’s court. This early teenage girl’s response to the message is what I hope inspires us today. Before we think about how excited we would be to accept such an offer, consider the risk it was for her. She was pledged to be married. What would Joseph say about the teenage baby bump that would eventually show? What would friends and family members speculate?  Sure her life was simple and common, but it was familiar and stable. What if she didn’t want this God-sized interruption? What if she wished it upon someone else? She probably recognized more than anyone else that she was no one special. “Why me?” she could have asked. However, Mary says none of these things.

IV. PART 4: The Response to the Message-1:38

”And Mary said, ‘Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”…” (1:38). In this response, Mary immediately calls herself a slave of God and places herself under His rule, His will, and His ways. As God’s handmaid, she openly accepts what God asks of her and proves exemplary in the way she responds to God’s message of grace. Because of the grace shown to her (God found favor with her simply because He was pleased to do so), she proved submissive and obedient to Him. God can now do with her what he wishes. Despite all the risk involved, as the Lord’s servant, she willingly places her “yes” on the table.

Mary says “yes” in spite of what Joseph would choose to do with her. She says “yes” in spite of what her family would say. She says “yes,” in spite of how her community might respond. She says “yes” in spite of her own plans for her life. In response to the grace of God in her life, Mary is willing to leave everything to follow Him in obedience. When Mary discovered that her and her people were not alone, she cannot help but jump on board.

With this positive response, the Angel departs back toward the heavens excited, overjoyed, and anxious to see all of this unfold.

So What?

What a conversation! After understanding the context of this incredible message and observing the content and explanation of the message, how will we choose to respond?

My friend, today’s message is clear—you are not alone. Perhaps we haven’t been visited by an angel to prove this; however, the evidence is all around us. Answered prayers, sustained life, the fact that you are here today with your friends and family and about to enjoy a time of fellowship with others all speaks of God’s close proximity to you and to me.

Once we recognize this, the proper response is to do exactly what Mary did, happily obey the Lord in whatever he asks of us. What better gift could we give God this Christmas season than to allow our “yes” to be on the table when God asks us to do anything? What better activity could we engage in as believers than busying ourselves with actually doing what He has already instructed in His Word? Maybe it’s time you had a memorable conversation with God. If we really are not alone in this universe, why don’t we make the most of what God is offering us?