Luke 1:28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Have you wondered why the eyes of the Lord fell on one young virgin among all the girls in Israel? The population of Israel during Jesus times was estimated to be around 600,000. Even if we assume that half were women and half of the women were young virgins, to be picked as one among 150,000 is incredible. Mary’s reverential fear caught the attention of heaven. God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary (Luke 1:26-27). Only 137 names of women are mentioned in the Bible and Mary is one among them. But why was Mary chosen among the thousands of young girls? Fear of the Lord unfurls the favour of God.
The visitation troubled Mary. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be (vs 29). Has a prophecy for a promotion, change or elevation or a divine visitation troubled you? Any increase comes with bigger responsibility. The supersonic seraph discombobulated the teenager but he spoke favour the second time to Mary. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God (Vs 30). Fear of the Lord brought divine favour to Mary but fear of the future made her afraid of the uncertainties. Gabriel spoke ‘favour’ into Mary’s fearful heart once more to reassure her that “the will of God will never take her where the grace of God cannot sustain her”. ‘Fear of social stigma’, ‘fear of the ambiguity’ and ‘fear of failure’ were drowned in the favour of God that endowed Mary.
Christmas Message from Mary:
1. Fear: Mary would say, it is not wrong to ask God questions. “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). Parthenogenesis (reproduction without fertilization by a sperm) occurs in a variety of plant and animal species, however it is impossible in humans. The birth of Jesus was and will be the only virgin birth. So her fear was legitimate hence, the angel doubled the favour to dissipate her fear. Favour of God dispels fear.
2. Fickle: The fickle and frivolous will not receive favour. The favour of God brings responsibility, accountability and liability. Childhood and the formative years of Jesus were very crucial for the ministry of Jesus, and Mary had humongous responsibility attached to the favour. She found favour as she was very serious in her faith walk. Those who are careless and carefree, fickle and frivolous cannot expect divine favour.
3. Favour: Favour simply means God stepping into our situation to make the impossible happen. For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). Mary believed, received and experienced the favour of God come to fruition.
May this season be a time of God’s favorable divine visitation. The fear of the Lord opens heavens doors of favour.
Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Prayer: Father God, help me to understand this simple principle that divine favour follows reverential fear of God. Amen
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