Calvary Road Baptist Church
“ANNUNCIATION TO MARY”
Luke 1.26-38
This is the first five-part series of messages culminating with the Gospel account of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
On this day of at least great distraction from the truth that at Christmas, we are celebrating the birth of the Son of God, I hope this series of messages will provide a springboard for moms and dads to focus the attention of their children on the real meaning of Christmas, or what Christmas ought to mean.
Our Gospel record takes up almost 2000 years ago in a remote little village high up in the region of Galilee, during the coldest part of the Middle Eastern year. Perhaps she was washing clothes with the red and cold hands that only such work in the winter can bring. Or maybe she had gone for a solitary walk. Or perhaps she remained working in her home while her parents and other family members were out in the fields.
While not sure of much, we can safely assume that when God began to inform Mary by using means of the role she would play in His great plan of redemption, she was alone.
Our text is Luke 1.26-38, where we take note of the messenger, the message, and the meaning of what is commonly referred to as the annunciation to Mary:
First, THE MESSENGER
Luke 1.26-27:
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Two overarching observations:
As to the place, the place at the time of the angel Gabriel’s dispatch was the sixth month. The sixth month of what? Just saying “the sixth month” without any reference point is confusing. “The sixth month” of what is Luke referring to? Luke is referring to “the sixth month” of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Two verses earlier, a reference was made to Elizabeth hiding her pregnancy for five months. We know the Messiah was to have a forerunner. And we already know that it is only proper and fitting for someone to announce a king's arrival. It just so happens that this was to be John the Baptist’s assignment. That was why he was to be born to Mary’s cousin Elizabeth and began his life and ministry six months earlier than our Lord. Another thought in regards to this idea about the place in the time of our Lord’s conception in the womb of Mary.
In Galatians 4.4, Paul tells us Christ came forth in the “fullness of time.” That assures us that our Lord Jesus Christ was conceived at the right time, came forth at the right time, was baptized at the right time, and died and was raised again on the third day at the right time in history.
The place in the territory of Gabriel’s dispatch was Nazareth, in Galilee. Quite an unusual town to live in for the woman who would bear the Christ child. An innocuous little town that was little more than a wide spot in the road. Nevertheless, it was where Mary did live, where the angel Gabriel was dispatched.
As to the person. Notice Mary’s experience. She was a virgin. She had never been with a man. So, as regards her experience ... she had none of this type. This is a most important fact for us to know. The whole Bible doctrine of the virgin birth of the Son of God rises and falls on the question of this young woman’s experience.
Notice her espousal. The Bible indicates that she was espoused to Joseph, of the house of David, who, of course, had been Israel’s greatest king, and to whom was given the Davidic Covenant promising the Jewish people a descendant of David to be their king. An espousal, such as the one Mary was contractually obligated to fulfill, meant that she and Joseph were married in every sense of the word but the conjugal sense. If this was a normal espousal, Mary’s parents would have arranged her marriage with Joseph, would have had a contract written up and signed, and would have agreed to present Joseph with a dowry or wedding gift at the time of the wedding feast, after which the marriage would be consummated. The marriage feast and consummation had not yet occurred in the time frame our text deals with. Possibly sixteen to eighteen years of age, Mary was preparing to embark on life as a young married woman when the angel appeared to her.
Notice her name. Her name is Mary. It’s a name of Egyptian origin that means rebellious. In the Old Testament her name would appear as Miriam, the same name as the elder sister of Moses. But whereas Moses’ sister might have been a rebellious woman on occasion, Mary’s demeanor was quite different and would be formed by the suffering and agony she experienced throughout her Son’s life and would see her Son endure for the sins of mankind.
So, we’ve seen the place the messenger was sent, and we’ve seen the person to whom the messenger angel Gabriel was sent. Now let’s examine the message that he delivered to her.
THE MESSAGE HAD TO DO WITH MARY’S POSITION BEFORE GOD AND GABRIEL’S PROPHECY ABOUT THE SON OF GOD
Note, first, the position of Mary, Luke 1.28-30. In verse 28, we are informed of Gabriel’s approach to her and his remarks:
“And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
Notice some things about Gabriel’s remarks to Mary. Was she a woman incredibly blessed and favored by God? Yes. Was she a woman indicated as having been in a particularly good mood before Gabriel arrived on the scene? No. Did what Gabriel told her alter her position of blessing or favor with God? No. Gabriel informed her of facts that existed whether or not she knew them. Rather similar to the position many Christians today have in Christ. We are in the position of favor. We are in the position of blessing. And though we are sometimes unaware of this or are ignorant of that, the fact remains ... the child of God is greatly blessed by God. For that reason alone, we should rejoice.
Verse 29 records Mary’s reactions:
“And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.”
What troubled Mary? Was it the appearance of this mighty angel of God, or was it what this mighty angel said to her? Right. It was the message that troubled her. Mary seems to have had no trouble accepting the reality of supernatural wonders. She believed in a miracle-working God. Do you? She knew God sent angels at times to His people. Why? Because according to First Corinthians 1.22, Jews require a sign, and she was Jewish.
Her reaction to Gabriel’s initial words indicate her swift mind. She was troubled at how this angel could address her with such gracious language. For all we know, her mind flashed back to the book of Daniel, chapter 9 and verse 23, where Gabriel had appeared to Daniel and said, “for thou art greatly beloved.” If that is, she knew the angel was Gabriel, though we are not told that she knew his name. Gabriel’s greeting to Mary was more gracious than his greeting to Daniel, that great statesman of God who had lived and died seven centuries before. Being familiar with God’s Word and perhaps having been told by the angel that he was Gabriel, Mary might have quickly thought on this fact and wondered, “What is going on here?”
Taking note of her reaction to his remark, Gabriel then provided needed reassurance in verse 30:
“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”
Gabriel calmed Mary’s alarm with the words, “Fear not.” How many times God, God’s angels, God’s servants, and God’s Son have said in Scripture, “Fear not.”[1] We see Mary as a rather normal woman, somewhat startled by what is unknown, and Gabriel, being from God, removed her fears. Then Gabriel provided her with information that further reassured her:
“for thou hast found favour with God.”
Examine Gabriel’s statement in light of other things we know from the Word of God. In Genesis 6.8, the Bible says Noah “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” These two passages are pretty similar and appear, at first glance, to indicate that these two persons sought God’s grace or favour. But did they? Note that since Mary “found favour with God,” and Noah “found grace in the eyes of the Lord,” there must have been a time in their lives in which they were not favored or graced. As well, according to Romans 3.11 and Psalm 14.1-3, neither Noah nor Mary sought God:
“There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
If neither Noah nor Mary sought after God, what happened? John 1.13 and Philippians 2.13 sheds some light:
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
There is no assurance like the assurance that your relationship with God, and the basis upon which you receive blessings from God, is dependent not on you but on the faithfulness and power of an Almighty and loving heavenly Father.
Having established the position of Mary before God, or at least having established what that position was, Gabriel then gave forth his prophecy, verses 31-33: You will note that the prophecy is in two parts; that which would be immediately fulfilled and that which would eventually be fulfilled.
First, the prophecy with immediate fulfillment, 1.31-32a:
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest ....
Let’s examine each phrase of the prophecy individually.
Gabriel said to her, “thou shalt conceive in thy womb.” We need to examine what manner of conception that was since some so-called “men of God” maintain that this conception in the womb of Mary was ordinary, that it was the product of a liaison between Mary and Joseph, or perhaps Mary and a Roman soldier. Such statements are not made by men who are saved. So far, in verse 27, it was mentioned twice that Mary was a virgin. And in Isaiah 7.14, we have a prophecy of a virgin-born Messiah, which would require a virginal conception.
So, we see that the conception Gabriel is predicting is not only unusual. It is not only rare. It is nothing short of the miraculous power of the omnipotent God! And to deny the virgin birth of the Savior is not only to deny His sinless perfection and impeccability, but it also denies the veracity, the truthfulness if you will, of the Word of God and calls God a liar.
My Messiah was virgin born. My Savior was virgin born. He had to be thus born to be sinless. He had to be thus born to avoid the curse of Joseph’s ancestor Jechonias, mentioned in Jeremiah 22.30 and Matthew 1.12 as cursed and childless concerning a legitimate heir to the throne of David. If not virgin born, Jesus had no right to die for my sins. If not virgin born, Jesus had no right to say, “Go and sin no more.”[2] If not virgin born, Jesus will have no right to rule as King of kings. Jesus Christ, my Lord, is the virgin-born Son of God!
Gabriel continued with the words, “and bring forth a son.” Yes, Jesus Christ was God’s Son, Gloria Allred, and other militant feminists. Yes, God is His Father, Gloria Steinham, and all the other militant feminists.
The angel Gabriel said, “and shalt call his name Jesus.” Jesus, or in the Old Testament, Joshua. A familiar name among the Jewish people but with an uncommon meaning. Jesus means “Jehovah-salvation.” And of all of the men who have been born of women, this One’s name would prove to be faithful to His calling. As Joshua of old provided physical deliverance for the children of Israel over their enemies in the land, our Lord Jesus provides complete deliverance from every enemy that opposes the plan and purpose of our holy and righteous God. Of all men Who have ever walked the face of this earth, none ever had a name that was so perfectly descriptive of its owner as the One Who bore this name.
Gabriel continued, “He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the highest.” All of the prophecies we’ve looked at in verse 31 and this one in verse 32 were fulfilled in the earthly ministry and life of the Lord Jesus Christ. And you may say, “Well, I know the others were immediately fulfilled, but I didn’t know this one was immediately fulfilled.” Yes, this prophecy was fulfilled during Christ’s earthly ministry. And Who called Him the Son of the Highest? The Highest did. At the baptism of John in the Jordan River and on the Mount of Transfiguration,[3] God spoke audibly and referred to our Lord Jesus as His Beloved Son, fulfilling this prophecy of Gabriel. These, then, are the immediately fulfilled prophecies Gabriel declared to Mary.
Then, in Luke 1.32b-33, Gabriel referred to prophecies that are eventually fulfilled:
Verse 32 ends,
“and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David.”
Does anyone know when this event will take place? Right. It will occur at the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ. Though Christ is presently enthroned at the right hand of His Father in heaven,[4] He is not sitting on the throne of David and reigning over Israel. When He establishes His millennial kingdom, He most certainly will. Gabriel does not here say anything new. This is the Davidic Covenant that God made with David while he was yet alive on earth that Gabriel refers to.
Verse 33 begins,
“and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever.”
This phrase speaks of Christ’s eternal rule over Israel. By my understanding of God’s Word, it also pushes aside the Covenant Theology scheme that negates the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants. The verse concludes with Gabriel saying,
“and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
Turn to Second Samuel 7.9-17 and read the Davidic Covenant with me:
9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
Careful study of this passage will reveal three things promised to King David. Through this unconditional covenant with David, Israel will be blessed by a Davidic dynasty possessing an everlasting throne, an everlasting kingdom, and an everlasting King, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thus, Gabriel informed Mary, without any mystery in the manner of his words, that she would bear the Messiah. And we know that not only would His miraculous birth and life and death fulfill these prophecies and make these prophecies come true, but many, many others besides.
NOW THAT WE HAVE EXAMINED THE VERSES WHICH GAVE US A GLIMPSE OF THE MESSENGER AND THE VERSES WHICH SHOWED US THE MESSAGE HE BROUGHT TO MARY LET’S TAKE NOTE OF THE MEANING OF ALL THIS
Luke 1.34-38.
First, there was the examination of Mary, verse 34:
“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”
Mary’s examination of Gabriel does not seem to have resulted from any lack of faith. She was not questioning the truthfulness of what Gabriel said, as Zacharias had done concerning the announcement of John the Baptist’s coming. What we see in Mary is something altogether different. Here was a young lady who had no doubt about God’s workings but was intensely curious about those workings. She wanted to know how the things that were going to happen were going to happen.
Second, there was the explanation given to Mary in verses 1.35-37. Gabriel’s response to Mary is preserved for us in three parts:
First, there was the explanation of God’s plan, verse 35:
“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
Gabriel did not involve himself in a detailed explanation of how miracles occur. He stated, very briefly, that God would perform the miracle He promised to bring about.
“The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee.”
In case you are interested in what difference there is between the word “ghost” and the word “spirit” in the Bible ... there is no difference whatsoever. In the Greek New Testament, there is but one word translated “spirit,” “ghost,” or “wind.” The Holy Spirit of God is the Agent of the Godhead involved in this miraculous conception of the Lord Jesus Christ’s human body in the virgin Mary’s womb. It is at this point, I might add, that the Word became flesh. The Word became flesh at the precise instant the humanity of Christ began, which was the instant of conception.
“and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.”
Interestingly, Luke chose to record these exact words of Gabriel, just as it is interesting that Gabriel chose these exact words to say. This same word “overshadow” is used in Matthew 17.5 to describe the effect of the bright cloud which appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration and from which God spoke:
“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
This speaks of the presence of God, the Father, Himself.
“therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
The first phrase of this verse speaks of the Holy Spirit of God. The second phrase of this verse speaks of the Father. And the last phrase of this verse speaks of the Son. What do we have here? We have nothing less than substantiation of the doctrine of the Trinity. The plan, then, by which the Incarnation was predicted by the angel Gabriel to take place involved all three Persons of the Divine Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit of God.
After the explanation of God’s plan in verse 35, there is found the explanation of God’s proof in verse 36:
“And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.”
The proof that God was indeed embarking on such a great and wonderful plan as Gabriel had just laid out was the corroborating experience of Mary’s aged cousin Elizabeth. She, the angel tells Mary, is already in her sixth month of pregnancy who was called barren.
Finally, there is the explanation of God’s power, verse 37:
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Can you explain God’s power? You can’t explain God’s power. It’s way beyond our limited comprehension. For that reason, instead of trying to explain God’s power, Gabriel attests to the fact that nothing is impossible for the God we serve and worship.
To recap, in verse 34, Mary examined the angel. In verses 35-37, Mary heard his explanation in response to her questioning. In verse 38, we see her personal evaluation in light of all that she had heard and seen.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord.”
This is the admission Mary is led to verbalize. She realized that as a child of God, she was at His disposal to do with as He pleases.
“be it unto me according to thy word.”
Here is Mary’s submission. Would God, more Christians evaluated the facts surrounding our Christian faith and submit to the will of God as Mary did here. The spiritual greatness of this young woman lay in the fact that she submitted herself to the will of Almighty God. She yielded without objection or argument. And with this phase of his mission completed the angel departed from Mary.
What do you suppose Mary did when the angel departed? Did she run and tell her mother or her best friend? I think not. They would not have believed her. We cannot be sure what she did immediately, for even the most resilient of Christians can experience momentary faltering.
One thing she was sure to begin dealing with eventually, however, was a consideration of the reactions of family and friends when her pregnancy began to show. Oh, my friends, what anguish and inner turmoil this young woman must have gone through. What confusion her mind must have been in. How she must have felt like exploding inside at being unable to tell anyone since no one would believe her.
How could God put her through that? Remember, when God moves His hand through the sea of humanity, the water swirls and churns.
Rather than overly disturb us, it ought to remind us of the immensity and power of our God. And God is powerful enough, as we will see, that not only can He move entire nations to do His will, but He can work in the life of a single young woman to prepare a human body in which to dwell among us.
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[1] Genesis 15.1; 21.17; 26.24; 46.3; 50.19; Exodus 20.20; Deuteronomy 1.21; 20.3; 31.6, 8; Joshua 8.1; 10.25; Judges 6.10, 23; 1 Samuel 12.20; 22.23; 2 Samuel 9.7; 1 Kings 17.13; 2 Kings 6.16; 17.34; 1 Chronicles 28.20; 2 Chronicles 20.17; Isaiah 7.4; 35.4; 41.13-14; 43.1, 5; 44.2; 54.4; Jeremiah 46.27; Lamentations 3.57; Daniel 10.12, 19; Joel 2.21; Zechariah 8.13; Matthew 1.20; 10.28; 28.5; Luke 1.13, 30; 2.10; 5.10; 8.50; 12.7, 32; John 12.15; Acts 27.24; Revelation 1.17
[2] John 5.14; 8.11
[3] Matthew 17.5
[4] Psalm 16.11; 110.1; Matthew 26.64; Mark 12.36; 14.62; 16.19; Luke 20.42; 22.69; John 3.13; 13.1; 14.2-4; Acts 1.9-11; 2.33, 34-35; 7.56; Romans 8.34; Ephesians 1.20; 6.9; Colossians 3.1; Second Thessalonians 1.7; Hebrews 1.3, 13; 8.1; 9.24; 10.12-13; 12.2; 1 Peter 3.22; Revelation 19.11
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