Luke 1:26-38
Studies in Luke #4 - Meet Mary
In all the drama surrounding the Saviour’s birth no one plays a bigger part than the maiden girl from Nazareth whose name was Mary. I know there are five other Mary’s mentioned in the Bible. She was sometimes called the "Virgin Mary" but Elizabeth who called her "the mother of our Lord".
There has never been a person outside the Lord Jesus who has been more misrepresented than Mary. Many magnify her to the point of they deify her while others are guilty of ignoring her. The truth is no other person was ever closer to our Lord than Mary. What secret hours of unseen and unhurried communion Mary had with our Lord. Is it any wonder that the angel Gabriel said that she had received great grace.
She was there at the Coming of Christ.
She was there to guide during the Childhood of Christ.
She was there to follow him during the Career of Christ.
She stood by Him at the Cross of Christ.
She kneeled in the upper room in support of the cause of Christ.
Mary is a figure worthy of our attention and Luke gives attention to her. Mary is an example to all women in every stage of life. Mary is a trophy of grace.
See her as a girl she brought Christ to the world.
See her as a Mother responsible for the Lord Jesus in Galilee.
See her as a wife faithful and true.
See her as a Widow.
See her as a bereaved mother when the sword pierced her heart.
See her on her knees with other disciples in prayer
Here in Luke’s Gospel we are introduced by Luke to some important aspects in Mary’s life:
Mary’s Salutation. 1:26-38 1. Mary’s Conduct – God and grace in her life
Mary’s Song. 1:46-55; 2. Mary’s Conception – Miraculous, mysterious
Mary’s Saviour 2:1-20; 3. Mary’s confidence - His claim, name and fame.
Mary's Sacrifice 2:21-39; 4. Mary’s consecration- surrender of will and body
Mary’s Salutation. 1:26-38
See the angel Gabriel coming to her. In typical detail Luke tells us when reminding us of God’s plan – in the fullness of time,
Where reminding us of God’s Promise and to whom the angel.
What do we know about Mary She was a Jewess of the tribe of Judah, a descendant of David, and a virgin (Isa. 7:14). 3- Her parents were Joachim of Nazareth and Anna of Bethlehem. The only one of her family mentioned in Scripture is her sister (Jn. 19:25) who was Salome, wife of Zebedee. She was engaged to a carpenter m Nazareth named Joseph (Matt 13:55), and apparently both of them were poor (Lev.12:8; Luke 2:24).
Among the Jews at that time, engagement was almost as binding as marriage and could be broken only by divorce. In fact, the man and the woman were called "husband" and "wife" even before the marriage took place (compare Matt. 1:19 and Luke 2:5). Since Jewish girls married young, it is likely that Mary was a teenager when the angel appeared to her.
Until now all the action surrounding the coming Messiah has taken place in Jerusalem. Focus now moves away from the holy city of Jerusalem to the rolling Hills of Galilee and to a despised town called Nazareth, seventy miles north– a town characterized by the presence of Gentiles, Nazareth. A most unlikely town and most certainly unJewish. Later Nathanael asked, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth"
Focus turns to Mary, a young and godly girl, who must have wondered what life held for her. Whom would she marry Like every Jewish teenage girl, she had heard about the promised Messiah but never dreamed that she might be the one chosen as His mother.
Suddenly she is confronted with Gabriel who announced the imminent arrival of the Messiah and God would do the impossible in her body! This presented problems for Mary. Her purity was under scrutiny. Betrothal was binding and Joseph might divorce her.
(A) A WORD OF ENRICHMENT TO MARY.
Two things stand out about Mary. She knew God and she knew grace. It is a faulty translation that states, "Hail Mary full of grace". Mary found favour – received grace from God. Grace to believe. Graciously selected by God and grace to accept the burden to bear Christ. Grace that brought Christ to the world. There was nothing unique about Mary. There is something unique about grace.
It is commonly remarked that a woman brought sin into the world – that is debatable – she introduced Adam to sin but Adam as our federal head, brought sin into the world. However, there is no doubt that God used a woman to bring the Saviour into the world.
It is interesting to note that the enrichment came before any indication of what responsibility God was giving to her. The whole emphasis is on the greatness of the Son not the greatness of the mother.
There is no suggestion of Mary being made a mediatrix. Some hold with Mary’s consent there would be no Saviour hence it all depended on Mary. 1Timothy 2:5
There is no suggestion of Mary’s immaculate conception. This teaches that Mary was conceived without sin. Rom 3:23 "My spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour."
There is no suggestion of Perpetual virginity of the virgin. Catholic dogma insists that Mary had taken a vow for life long celibacy. The Scriptures teach that Mary had other children. Mat. 13:55
A WORD OF ENLIGHTENMENT FOR MARY
Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. It had to be so to fulfill the word of the prophets. It had to be so because of the purity of the Saviour. It had to be so because of the purpose for which He came. His claim - Son of God
His Name - Jesus
See the divine trinity at work – Father, Son and Holy Ghost. His fame - He shall reign
The great Mystery of His person: Gabriel affirmed both the deity and the humanity of Jesus. As Mary's son, He would be human; as Son of the Highest (Luke 1:32), He would be the Son of God (Luke 1:35). "For unto us a Child is born [His humanity], unto us a Son is given [His deity]" (Isa. 9:6).
The glorious Majesty of His reign. He shall also be a King, inherit David's throne, and reign over Israel forever! If we interpret literally what Gabriel said in Luke 1:30-31, then we should also interpret literally what he said in Luke 1:32-33. He was referring to God's covenant with David (2 Sam. 7) and His kingdom promises to the people of Israel (Isa. 9:1-7; 61; 66; Jer. 33).
Jesus Christ came to earth to be the Saviour of the world, but He also came to fulfill the promises God made to the Jewish fathers (Rom. 15:14). Today, Jesus is enthroned in heaven (Acts 2:29-36), but it is not on David's throne. One day Jesus will return and establish His righteous kingdom on earth, and then these promises will be fulfilled.
The gracious Message of His purpose. His name shall be called Jesus. The sweetest name on earth and the highest name in heaven.
A WORD OF ENABLEMENT FOR MARY
"How can these things be seeing I know not a man" This is not a question of unbelief
His Presence shall overshadow. This is the scene in Exodus 40 when god overshadowed the Tabernacle. It is what god does with us today.
His Power shall enable thee. "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me."
His purpose will be fulfilled in you. God had a plan for Mary – and he has for you.
Mary’s Surrender
Mary was honest before the angel.
Mary was humble enough to accept all God’s purpose for her. She signed a blank sheet and was prepared for God to guide her life.
I submit my will to do the will of God. Mary gave her body, her mind and her will to the Lord.
I commit to magnify the name of Jesus
I rejoice in God my Saviour.
An old man was asked what had robbed him of joy the most in his lifetime. He replied, "Things that never happened!" All of us can recall needless burdens that we have put on our own shoulders by anticipating the worst. Certainly the Lord does not lay such burdens on us.
Someone has cited these three keys to happiness:
1. Fret Not - He loves you - (John 13:1).
2. Faint Not - He holds you - (Psalm 139:10).
3. Fear Not - He keeps you - (Psalm 121:5).
(a) God's plans are eternal: the cross
(b) God's promises are unfailing: the resurrection
God's power is unlimited: new birth to those who believe
Because God sent His son into the world by a miraculous birth, He offers you a new birth. You can be born again.
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