Six months after visiting Zacharias,
Gabriel appeared to another.
He was "sent" once again right from God's throne,
to a certain city Nazareth,
to a particular girl, a virgin named Mary.

To this unmarried girl-child, the angel of God's presence
issued an even more startling birth announcement.
"Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you."
But she was very perplexed at this statement and
kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

Perplexity is acceptable.
In bewilderment, keep quiet and ponder it.
Mary was not rash to speak to a towering angel,
as was Zacharias.

She being young, yet possessed old wisdom.
Angelic visits are not to be trifled with . . . .

Mary's way was always the way of quiet meditation,
something Zacharias would have to learn.

Gabriel's announcement was the first stunning
introduction of this imminent Beloved Son . . .
enough to overwhelm the best of His followers.

The angel said, "Do not be afraid Mary;
for you have found favor with God . . . ."

How gentle of God to have his spokesman address first
for both, the human need in their initial reaction: stark fear.
Apparently the command to not fear, removed the fear
for both were able to speak their hearts in open form.

Called by name, and named by God,
the precious sign of being known.
Zacharias and Mary, both chosen and named.
Such is God's meeting with us by individuality,
as specific beings,
utterly familiar to Him in profound knowledge.

And behold you will conceive in your womb and
bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

God ever moves in names.
Zacharias' son was named by God,
a name not common to his people.
However, Jesus, also named by God,
was given a name common in that day
as He was sent to live an entirely human life,
in common with the most ordinary of all humanity.

Though His human name was ordinary, His
divine identity would be undeniable:
He will be great and will be called
the Son of the Most High and the Lord God
will give him the throne of His father David;
and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and His kingdom will have no end.
Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be, since I am a virgin?"
(The literal translation is "How WILL this be.")

Zacharias, "How will I know?"
Mary, "How will this be?"

Zacharias' demand was, "prove it."
Mary's query was "how" not "whether."
"I don't doubt that it will, but how will it happen."

God will let us have our reasonable questions.
He will answer our human bewilderment but
those who serve him, yet disbelieve Him, are left
to solve the enigma only when it appears, not before.

The Bible shows unbelief as a terrible affront to God.
Especially where His Dear Son is the issue.

So Mary merited an explanation denied to Zacharias
and was struck with no rod of correcting silence.

"Here is your 'how,'" said the angel.
Then the angel said to her,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of
the Most High will overshadow you (like a shining cloud);
and the holy (pure, sinless) Thing (Offspring)
which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God.
(Luke 1:35 Amplified Bible)

Nothing is ever impossible and no word from God
shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.
(Luke 1:37 Amplified Bible)

Gabriel delighted to give this childlike woman,
great and wondrous detail.
Specifics of God's plan are opened to
the one who believes the plan in
acceptance with no suspicion.

And her response was exquisite belief,
a simple faith with absolute agreement:
Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord;
let it be done to me according to what you have said.

Mary was the servant of the Lord, His slave.
Surrender was not new to her.
She was innocent but not ignorant.
Though she was young and a virgin,
Mary was not untried nor unfamiliar with
deep surrender to the God of her ancestors.
She simply proceeded now to another level
of submission to One she already knew
as . . . Master, Lord.

And the angel left her.

The Holy Spirit notes this.

Gabriel could leave her as his task was complete.
Her receptive bow, her receiving faith enabled him
to completely unload his message and
he was thwarted in nothing by her.
He left . . . because he was finished.

Elizabeth would affirm Mary's experience and faith.
Without prior knowledge of Mary's divine transaction,
and with no insight apart from the Spirit's revelation
and the joy of the baby in her own womb,
Elizabeth burst forth with admiration for
this amazing young woman.

Blessed (happy, to be envied) is she who believed
that there would be a fulfillment of the things that
were spoken to her from the Lord.

Elizabeth was witness of her husband's mute punishment
for unbelief in God's message.
She was carrier of that miracle in the
living confirmation of the angelic pledge.
She could be filled with wonder at one who would
believe such fantastic ideas,
such unheard-of things!
And Mary responding to such affirmation of her faith
burst forth with those ever deep musings of her heart
and in this her song, she reveals her relationship,
not just one of service and obedience
but intimate knowledge of this Sovereign God;
personal acquaintance with His ways,
His character, His values.

Mary worshiped with all her being,
body soul and spirit . . .
My soul exalts the Lord,
and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

Oh how profound her words! She worships with
her soul, her mind and emotions, her will.
She worships with her spirit, rejoicing in what?
Her Savior!
Only David (aside from Isaiah and Jeremiah, once),
her ancestor called Him Savior.

Mary's humility is exposed by her exuberant psalm of praise:
He has had regard for the humble state
of His bondslave,
For behold from this time on
all generations will count me blessed.

How did this simple maiden clearly understand the
long and wide implications of her mission?
For the mighty one has done great things for me
and holy is His name.
And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him
He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud
in the thoughts of their heart.
He has brought down rulers from their throne
And has exalted those who were humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
He has given help to Israel His servant
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and his descendants forever.

Only the humble can recognize pride and
understand God's sure opposition to it,
proven by life's happenings.

Copyright © 2002 Martha Kilpatrick