◄ What Does Luke 1:33 Mean? ►

It was not long after Zechariah and Elizabeth had been told of the miraculous conception of their son, who was to become forerunner of the promised Messiah as foretold by the prophet Isaiah, that Mary, a young virgin from Nazareth, was highly favoured. She was visited by the angel Gabriel, the mighty messenger from the Lord, who brought her tidings of great joy.

Like Sarah, Hannah, Ruth, and Elizabeth before her, Mary had found grace in the eyes of the Lord and so she was chosen from all the young virgins in Israel to become the mother of the long-awaited Messiah. She no doubt knew of the wonderful prophecy that had been given through the prophet Isaiah, which said that a virgin would conceive and bear a Son. She was no doubt intrigued to read in his prophetic writings that His name would be called Wonderful; Councillor; the Mighty God; the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace.

But now she was to receive a special honour, for she was to participate in the fulfilment of Bible prophecy by becoming the mother of the Messiah; the promised Seed the woman; the Seed of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, Who would save His people from their sins.

It was Gabriel, the same angel who had visited Daniel as he interceded for Israel during their 70-year long captivity in Babylon, who was sent to tell Mary the good news. Centuries before, Daniel had been told by Gabriel that God was going to send a Saviour Who would set up an everlasting kingdom which would never be destroyed. And it was this same angelic messenger who was sent to tell Mary of the joyful news that this ancient prophecy was about to be fulfilled. Gabriel had been sent by the Lord to give her some very important information concerning herself and the unique Son that she was soon to bear.

Gabriel explained that she was to conceive in her womb and bear a Son, and she was instructed to call His name Jesus, for He was to save His people from their sin. She was told that He would be great and that He would also be called the Son of the Most High God. I wonder what was going on in the heart and mind of little Mary during that momentous visit when she was given this astonishing information by this amazing angelic visitor.

Mary was also informed that He would be given the throne of His father, David, and would reign over the house of Jacob forever. She was told that He would be great and that His kingdom was to be an everlasting kingdom, which would have no end.

And so it was that the Holy Spirit of God came upon Mary, the little virgin from Nazareth, and the power of the Most High God overshadowed her and she conceived in her womb and bore a Son. And for that reason, the holy Child that she bore was called the Son of the most high God: "And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."

Heavenly Father, thank You that in Your goodness and grace You looked down on our sinful race and despite our sinful rebellion, You purposed in Your heart to save us from the terrible consequences of our sin by sending Your only begotten Son to become the sacrifice for our sin - so that through Him we might not perish but have everlasting life. To Him be all praise and glory, forever and ever, AMEN.