Mary was told that by the angel Gabriel God sent to show Mary she was to give birth to Jesus.

Like her husband Joseph, Mary found favor with God and God trusted Mary to do His will.

Gabriel said to Mary: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The LORD is with you!” Then explained how that would take place.

Six months prior to that an angel of The LORD appeared to Zechariah,

“who was serving with his division of priests in God’s presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of The LORD and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned.” Luke 1:8-10.

The angel revealed John the baptist was to be born the child of Zechariah and Elisabeth his wife and explained John would prepare the way of Jesus. (Luke 1:5-23)

Now, in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent Gabriel with a message to Mary.

“Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy,i the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, ‘“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The LORD is with you!’” Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant.
Then the angel told her, ‘“Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 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 ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.’
Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?’
The angel answered her, ‘“The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God. And listen! Elizabeth, your relative, has herself conceived a son in her old age, this woman who was rumored to be barren is in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God’s promises.’
Then Mary said, ‘“Truly I am The LORD’s servant. Let everything you have said happen to me.’” Then the angel left her.’” Luke 1:26-38 ISV.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

“Later on, Mary set out for a Judean city in the hill country. She went into Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she loudly exclaimed, ‘“How blessed are you among women, and how blessed is the infant in your womb! Why should this happen to me, to have the mother of my Lord visit me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. How blessed is this woman for believing that what was spoken to her by The LORD would be fulfilled!’”

Mary’s Song of Praise

• “Then Mary said,
• ‘“My soul praises the greatness of The LORD!
• My spirit exults in God, my Savior,
• because he has looked favorably on his humble servant.
• From now on, all generations will call me blessed,
• because the Almighty has done great things for me.
• His name is holy.
• His mercy lasts from generation to generation
• for those who fear him.
• He displayed his mighty power with his arm.
• He scattered people who were proud in mind and heart.
• He pulled powerful rulers from their thrones
• and lifted up humble people.
• He filled hungry people with good things
• and sent rich people away with nothing.
• He helped his servant Israel,
• remembering to be merciful,
• according to the promise he made to our ancestors —
• The LORD to Abraham and his descendants forever.” ” Luke 1:39-55 ISV.

In view of that, let us consider what God has for us to be and do.

“In the Messiah we were also chosen when we were predestined according to the purpose of the one who does everything that he wills to do, so that we who had already fixed our hope on the Messiah might live for his praise and glory.
You, too, have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed in the Messiah, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until God redeems his own possession for his praise and glory.” Ephesians 1:11-14.

~ Bill Bremer

Bill Bremer is Founder and Managing Director at Kingdom Relationships Colorado.

Back to Top