The Glory of Christ: The Announcement

The story is familiar. God sends the angel Gabriel to Nazareth to a virgin named Mary. He tells her that she will soon be the mother of the Savior of the world. Amazing, frightening, incomprehensible news. Glorious, but unsettling.

The story (Luke 1:26-38) is so familiar it's theological and relational clarity is often overlooked or missed. God unveils some significant truths in Gabriel's announcement to Mary: regarding the perfection and position of Jesus Christ. It highlights His impeccability, His sinless perfection as a virgin born Son of God, God in the flesh. It also points to His sovereign rule and reign.

There are deep implications for our beliefs as well as our behavior. Mary trusted God in real time, without knowing the whole story like we do on this side of the timeline. People waited with untold anticipation for the first arrival of the promised Messiah - relying solely on the Word of God. It reminds us that we too need to rely fully on God's Word as we wait for Christ's second coming.

Another implication has to do with the grace God showered on Mary. Gabriel's first word to Mary was "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28) What loving comfort in such a terrifying situation! He went on to say "Do not be afraid Mary; for you have found favor with God" (Luke 1:30). He called her by name, signifying that she was known and special to God, and he reassured her. The Greek word "favor" is charis, grace. Mary had found grace with God. It was God's choice of grace, not Mary's piety, that was the determining factor in her being chosen. Yes, God picked a virtuous woman, but no, her virtue did not earn her that favor. It was all of grace, just as it is when we come to faith in Christ - by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone - not by any merit on our part. We are chosen by God, selected, unmerited, overwhelmed by God's love, grace and mercy.

Finally, the power and glory of Christ is seen in the fact that Gabriel also said, in light of Jesus' impending miraculous birth (and with John the Baptist's coming birth by her who was called barren), "Nothing will be impossible with God". It is God who is sovereign, not man. God holds the keys to life and death. Our times are in His hands.