Gabriel Predicts Jesus' Birth
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, "rejoice, favoured woman! The Lord is with you. But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her:
" do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
Now listen:
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and The Lord God will give Him the throne of His Father David.
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.
Mary asked the angel, "how can this be, since I have not be intimate with a man?"
The angel replied to her:
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore, the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:26-35
The angel then went on to tell Mary about her cousin Elizabeth and her own joy with the impending birth of John the Baptist.
Mary had said: I am the Lord's slave, may it be done to me according to your word."
Marry asked 'how can this be?" Just as Zechariah had done, yet she was not dumbfounded like him, perhaps God had no need. Some scholars believe her query was not out of unbelief whereas Zechariah's was. Whatever the reason, God used it for His glory.
Knowing that Elizabeth was also pregnant Mary went to visit her. Girls do things like that. They had a common bond and would have much to talk about, also Mary's pregnancy would have been the talk of the town as she was yet unwed.
During this time Joseph would face his own dilemma. Was Mary unfaithful? Should he divorce her? He knew she could have been stoned for adultery. Again God had a plan gave Joseph a dream in which he was visited by an angel.
Gabriel had been busy! I am sure he was delighted to be a part of such an amazing occurrence. His Lord was to visit earth as a baby.
Do you realise our God wants to bring His beautiful presence in our world through us. We can be pregnant with His Spirit and as we walk in His Spirit we will spread His good news. Salvation, His gift, is waiting for willing hands and hearts. Will you go? Amen!
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