Finally we come to Jesus! For twelve weeks we have studied
men and women who have had their course altered by their exposure to God. It’s
been an array of biblical characters, each one in some condition of significant
spiritual need.
For Job it was extreme frustration and self-righteousness.
For Elijah it was self-pity and fear. For Joshua it was seasoned resolve and
hubris. For Jacob it was fear and desperation. For Abraham it was disbelief.
For Sarah it was alienation and self-loathing. For Hagar it was victimization
through manipulation and abuse. For Paul it was an agonizing thorn in the
flesh.
This Sunday we begin a two-week view of Mary, the mother of
Jesus. In what condition does Gabriel find her? When he arrives it’s anyone’s
guess. After he begins to speak it’s awe and trepidation. Think of the
circumstances.
When God chooses to expose the fullness of Himself and His
eternal plan, He doesn’t begin with the words, “Once upon a time…” but rather,
“In the days of Herod the king…” He then further identifies His intentions by
narrowing it down to the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Think of this, God
bases His exposure to Mary on His exposure to Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth. What He
says to Zechariah, her husband, is the setup for what He will say to Mary, the
betrothed virgin.
This is a timeless story of Christ’s advent. Let’s review
the facts. God passes over Jerusalem and imperial Rome to come to a 13 to
15-year-old virgin living in a village twenty miles south of Jerusalem. We know
from history that Nazareth was a hotbed of corruption with Roman soldiers
passing by each day and spending the night. Greek merchants were coming and
going, selling their wares. Residents of Nazareth were largely rude, violent,
and of poor reputation. In short, Nazareth was a rough place (note Nathaniel’s
remark, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”) And yet, it’s to Mary of
Nazareth that Gabriel comes and exposes the heart and mind of the Most High
God.
What we find in our study of Luke 1:26-38 is an exposure
that foreshadows God’s exposure to every believer in Jesus Christ. What He does
for Mary is a perfect portrait of what happens to all in whom Christ is born.
In the face of His grace all foreboding, all attachments, all self-assuredness
and all self-preservation fades from sight and surrender to Him ensues.
There is much in this Divine Exposure. In preparation for
Sunday’s message “The Seed”, you may wish to consider the following:
- Why do you suppose Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah is so essential to Luke’s presentation of God’s announcement to Mary?
- Who is Gabriel and where does he show up in the Old Testament? What is his message? (You may wish to check extra-biblical literature like Enoch, etc.)
- How does the Old Testament prepare us for the Chosen Seed being born in Nazareth?
- What are the clues in verses 5 to 25 that God will come in grace, rather than judgment?
- What do you make of Gabriel’s greeting in verse 28?
- How does this encounter follow the Annunciation Pattern of the Old Testament?
- How is Mary’s reaction to Gabriel different from Zechariah’s?
- What are the differences between Gabriel’s description of John the Baptist and his description of Jesus?
- What two signs does Gabriel offer Mary in answer to her question, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Are the two signs significant?
- What does this tell us about the value God places on fellowship?
- What is Mary saying in verse 38 and how is that the normal reaction to divine grace?
See you Sunday!
