As we continue our story on exceptional women, we see that “God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.” Luke 1: 26 Gabriel was certainly busy that year.
The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel said to her, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1: 28
Mary was about 12 or 13 years of age, scholars tell us. A baby having a baby! In that culture, that was very common.
Yes, my mouth dropped too, when I learned that fact.
What was Mary’s response to the angel?
She was “Greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” Luke 1: 29 She was quickly told by the angel not to be afraid and that she had found favor with God. He tells her she will be with child and give birth to a son and she is to give him the name Jesus. The angel continues, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” Luke 1: 32-33
Wondering how this will take place since she is a virgin and has never been with a man, she is reassured from Gabriel that, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Luke 1: 35
Maybe Mary needed encouragement because, almost immediately, the angel informs her of another miracle that has taken place.
He tells her of Elizabeth, her relative who is having a child in her old age who was barren and now in her sixth month. Then the angel made a proclamation that we can take hold of today for our own situations. That proclamation is:
For nothing is impossible with God.
Mary receives her assignment and calls herself the Lord’s servant. Then off she goes to greet and meet Elizabeth.
There is something special in the meeting and greeting.
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Luke 1: 41-43
Wait a minute! Did Mary announce her coming and announce her holy conception? It looks like she just arrived and surprised her, but we don’t know for sure.
However it occurred, when Elizabeth heard the sound of her greeting, baby John within jumped and leaped for joy.
Joy is one of the attributes of the Holy Spirit.
Elizabeth, full of the Holy Spirit, now understands John, her child within, is Holy Spirit-filled as well.
This special meeting and greeting took place to reveal that impossibilities and miracles can happen.
Jesus meets John in utero. John meets Jesus in utero. So, the two shall meet.
- John, this forerunner, prepares the way for Jesus in the years to come.
- Jesus gets baptized by this forerunner before He goes into the desert to meet the devil.
The Holy Spirit was present upon their meeting as babies, then once again present when John baptizes Jesus years later.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him.” Matthew 3: 16
It is the Holy Spirit’s job to stir, activate and bring forth God’s plan on the earth. Without Him, there is no life in God. He is part of the Godhead, the holy trinity, that brings forth new life.
God chooses ordinary women and men to bring forth His exceptional plan as they carry out the Father’s will in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our call as followers of Jesus is the same: To carry and bring forth the light to all people in the power of the Holy Spirit.
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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