Today we are reading Luke 1. In this chapter we read about the birth announcements of John and Jesus. There are so many interesting details but we will zero in on Mary’s conversation with Gabriel. “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to 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.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:26-38 ESV As we contemplate this story, it always strikes me as incredulous that Mary doubts the word of the angel. I mean, here is this magnificent being making a special visit to her, she is obviously terrified but then her skepticism kicks in! The bottom line—“nothing is impossible with God.” When does your skepticism kick in? What is it that causes you to worry and be afraid? If God can give both a young virgin and an elderly wife babies—nothing is impossible with God! God is with you! Pastor Tim
