By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Promise Kept
Luke 1:26–38
God is a sovereign God. He has a plan and will bring it to pass. One of the benefits of being sovereign is that He can predetermine the future. God promised He would send His Son to seek and save the lost. We can trace this promise from Genesis 3:15 throughout the rest of the Old Testament. God always keeps His word.
The Greeting (26–29)
God sent Gabriel to Nazareth. Nazareth was not mentioned in the Old Testament, the Apocrypha, the Talmud or the ancient writings of the Jewish historian Josephus. It was a small town between two cities. Travelers would pass through Nazareth but never go there. It was a small, rural town.
Mary was betrothed to Joseph. They both were probably teenagers who had known each other all of their lives. He was a poor carpenter of the house of David. A girl could be as young as 12 years old and be betrothed to marry.
The betrothal would typically last one year. The betrothal would begin with a simple ceremony anticipating the wedding. After the parents had agreed they would get together with a rabbi, priest or teacher of the law. Scripture would be read, a prayer would be prayed and they would sip some wine to commemorate the betrothal. Wealthy families would then have a party.
Gabriel appeared to Mary. Don’t think of Mary as sitting on a throne with a gold crown on her head with a halo over it, surrounded by angels, wearing a perfectly adorned embroidered linen garment. Mary was a poor young girl planning her wedding.
The Promise (30–33)
Gabriel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Why? Because God is good and gracious. The word “favor” is grace. Grace is undeserved favor, unmerited love. God chose Mary to be the mother of the Messiah because this was His sovereign plan for her.
Gabriel revealed that she would bear a Son who she is to call Jesus. He would be the Son of the Most High. God would give her Son the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to His kingdom.
What a promise! This is the announced fulfillment of God’s promise He declared in Genesis and described in more detail in Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6–7. God uses ordinary people and accomplishes extraordinary things, but He gets the glory.
The Explanation (34–37)
Mary was probably illiterate and formally uneducated. She did not have the New Testament. She had memorized bits and pieces of Scripture read in the synagogue. But she had faith. Mary questioned but she trusted God more than what her eyes could see.
Many of us know more than Mary did but still doubt. Mary knew little but trusted it all. There is a difference between unbelief and having questions. Questions are OK. Christianity is big enough for questions. Mary asked an honest question, and Gabriel answered her question. What is called the virgin birth explains how the eternal Son of God became a human being. Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies. He is truly God and truly man, sovereign King, eternal, sinless and Savior. Hallelujah!
The Commitment (38)
Mary was willing to let go of her reputation, her marriage and her security so that she could serve God. Mary should not be the object of our faith but she should be an example of faith. Mary heard God’s plan for her life and by faith she humbly accepted it. She was a willing servant of the Lord.
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