GABRIEL & MARY

Luke 1:26-38

It was six months since his last assignment. Now Gabriel has a new assignment at Nazareth in Galilee. This is one of the last places on earth one would expect the mother of the Christ to come from. First, because the Galileans were looked down upon by those who lived in the big city: Jerusalem. Second, it was a place of a Roman Garrison and known as a place of vice. Nazarenes were despised by the rest of the population.

However, Gabriel was dispatched to a young girl living in this Nazareth by the name of Mary. We know two things about her: First, she was a virgin (1:27, 34). Dr. Luke emphasizes the purity of this girl. Second we know she was in the state of betrothal. Although this was much like an engagement, it was much more. It was a legal status that could only be dissolved by death or divorce.

There are three things Gabriel says about Mary (1:28-33).

• She was favored by God (1:30). She was a special recipient of His Grace. She was not to fear.
• The Lord was with her. She is not alone in her mission. God is there to empower and sustain her. 
• She will have a Son. This speaks of Mary’s privilege, she will give birth to the Messiah: Jesus (1:31).

She was a woman of character. Her character is displayed by:

·         Thoughtfulness (1:29). Although perplexed, she considered the situation. Revelation and reason should go together. This led her to request (1:34) an answer (1:35).

·         Obedience (1:38). Mary response’s was that of submission to the Word of God.

God uses humble and obedient believers.