But for now, you may be asking, could I be exaggerating about the insignificance of Nazareth? Look at John 1:45-46; what did Philip tell Nathaniel about Jesus being from Nazareth? What good could come out of Nazareth? So why Nazareth; why would God choose this village of such low acclaim? Any of you who have spent anytime with scripture likely know.
God is always looking for the most meek, most unlikely and humble person, setting and situation in order to show His most important work! We see this in the Israelite slaves, remember these were God’s chosen; in David, the seventh brother almost forgotten; I quoted it last week in reference to “the underdog,” suddenly it is appropriate again. Paul wrote to Corinth in 1:27-28: God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world… And in James we read: God opposes the proud, but gives grace the humble.
And God chose Mary. For years we have heard that she was about 13 when Gabriel came to her. But remember in those days, the average age of people was around 35. As soon as a girl could bare a child she was ready to be married. And then the angel came…
…in Greek that word means messenger visualize a man standing before Mary instead of a cute cherub or winged creature from God. The scriptures say that Mary was terrified at Gabriel’s words, not his form. And what terrified her: First the words of Gabriel, Hail, you who are full of grace! God is with you! It is literally translated ‘one who has been filled with grace.’ So what is grace? Grace is God’s kindness, His love, His care, God’s work on our behalf, God’s blessings, His gifts, His goodness, God’s salvation. But it is more than that; it is these things when they are undeserved. A pure gift of kindness, salvation, forgiveness. And this gift has the power to change lives.
This scripture speaks of God’s character? God’s desire to lavish His goodness on humanity and He did it in full force at Christmas when He sent His one and only Son! A pure gift for us! This is who Jesus is. Gabriel told Mary that because you are His mother, you are full of grace! Your child will be great! I appreciate Adam reminding me that this great that Gabriel said to Mary, Jesus would use again in Matthew 20:26 when He says the great among you must be servants. He too would be the Son of the Most High. It was a custom to the Hebrew people to refer to children as sons and daughters of the Most High. However, Gabriel went further and said to Mary that her Son would be THE Son of the Most High! Not just a Son, but The Son.
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