Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.26     Good Will To Whom???

 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14

We look today at our second of the proclamations of the angels to the shepherds at the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, “good will toward men”. Just what did the angles mean by this statement? What did God mean when He sent these greetings to us—we who are in need of the “good will” of God.

Well, to answer those questions we must first of all understand what precipitates the need for God’s “good will”, that all men are at enmity with God. We are born sinners (due to Adam’s choice to sin), and we all choose to sin. So we are sinners by birth and sinners by choice. There has only been on “sinless” person that walked on this earth, and He is that baby whose birth we celebrate at this time of year, Jesus, Emmanuel, The Son of God. The one who came to bring “peace on earth”—not necessarily the absence of conflict at this present time (For there is a time coming when HE will do away with sin, and establish His perfect, sinless kingdom, of which there will be no end!) but the impartation of God’s peace to those who believe, reconciliation from the enmity that sin brought. Peace that sustains us through the storm, regardless of its intensity! Our God is the God of all peace, and the peace that He imparts stills hearts and lives in the midst of the tempest—He is the One who is working His “good will toward men”—and YOU can know and experience that peace. We can possess that peace all because of Jesus—this baby who came to live a sinless life, and die a substitutionary (in our place), sacrifice for the sin of all who will believe in Him.

“Therefore being

justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also

we have access by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience;

and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure

for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:1-11

Because of God’s “good will toward men” He sent Jesus to be our Savior, Redeemer and Lord! And when we come to Him we have not only eternal life and deliverance from the wrath of God, but we also have hope in the glory that Jesus bestows upon us. The glory and “good will” that God restored us to “Son-ship” and “fellowship” after the separation that sin brought to man. Adam and Eve experienced spiritual death when they sinned and disobeyed God, and passed it on to all mankind, yet God already had a plan to send Jesus to restore us to not only “life” but to “abundant life”.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

We can have life with, in and through Jesus Christ, and He enables us to “live” for Him in all we do. But how does that work out? Simple but not easy, we must devote ourselves to the One who has given us life!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3

So beginning at the end of the passage, let us consider that Paul is telling us that it is all about GOD—not just ME! It is God who convicts our hearts to recognize our lost and sinful condition! It is God who bestows His grace into our hearts that we might have the faith to believe –“the measure of faith”. The “measure of faith” to trust in Jesus for salvation, and the “measure of faith” to obey in whatever things God places before us, God always gives us the “measure” that’s required as He appoints our opportunities. Opportunities of service, challenges of great or small import, needs that only by His power and grace are we enabled to meet and be a reflection of The “light of the world” to a lost and dying world! And what are we to do as we serve of the King of Kings? Simple (Doable through Jesus, but oh so NOT easy!), we must “present your bodies a living sacrifice”. The same thing that Paul refers to in another great verse from his letter to the Galatians.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Can you see that the “good will” of God toward men, is that we can have the life of Christ within us!!! We can have Jesus’ life within us in the here and now—not just in the heavenly ‘by and by’!!! We can have the abundant, glorious life of Jesus within us—that is “good will” of God toward men, women, boys and girls all over the world!!! Jesus is alive and well and coming again, all because of God’s love for us, and His desire that we experience His “good will” through His Son Jesus Christ. What greater hope and joy could we have?

“…I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly” Amen and Amen!!!

Jesus, the “good will” of God sent to earth to be our Savior. Won’t you rejoice with me in this next week, in fact always, as we celebrate the coming of The Light of the World? What joy we can have in our hearts and what light and love we should spread in our goings and comings. Let His light be seen in you and me—may we be that reminder to people that Jesus came to “BE” that “good will toward men” straight from heaven for us, for all who will believe and receive! What a miracle of “Joy To The World” the shepherds must have experienced that night—and we can experience it as well, when we yield ourselves to be filled by His Spirit, His love and His power and shine His “Light” to the world.

In closing I have the same desire that Paul had for the Philippians toward you. I take His words as my own to you as you go throughout this Christmas week. Know you are loved and prayed for always.

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings

and disputings:

15 That ye may be

blameless

and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst of a crooked

and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;”      Philippians 2:12-15

And may we all “BE” a reflection of the “good will” of God within us, before the world:

“And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching

and admonishing

one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace

in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks

to God and the Father by him.”      Colossians 3:14-17

This IS the “Good Will” toward men—

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27

May we shine forth the “Good Will” within us every where we go!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #320 The Best Christmas Lights Of All?

 

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Jesus IS the “light of the world”! He not only created light but He Himself IS light. Jesus came into this world to BE the ONLY way to God. And the very best ‘Christmas lights’ that we can display is a life lived by the power of the cross of Jesus Christ, to be a reflection of God’s light, truth and glory in a world of darkness. And we need to shine that light regardless of the darkness and blindness of those who will not see. After all Jesus Himself was rejected by those who wanted to stay in the darkness.

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:4-5

Jesus is the creator and sustainer of life, and He came into this world to deliver those who will believe in Him, from the penalty, power and eventually even the presence of sin. It’s what HE came to do, and when our light shines for Him we can share that Good News with those in need of Jesus and His saving grace!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Our light is to shine for Jesus (Our light IS Jesus!), even when people around us reject the light, or even ridicule and persecute us for our faith in Him. We can expect the same treatment that our Lord received.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:16-19

There will always be those who reject the light, but when we belong to Jesus, His light has been planted within our hearts and it should be the pursuit of our lives to let that light shine. We can hide our light or let it shine for HIM! Just as the moon has no light of its own, neither do we, apart from Jesus (See John 15:5), and much like the wonder of an eclipse, we can be a clear reflection of the light of Jesus shining His light onto those around us, or we can let the world “eclipse” our light and have little to no effect on the people around us. May we all strive (especially during this time when people are more open to the news of the “Babe in the manger”) to be the “Best Christmas Lights Of All”?

God’s purpose before the creation of the world was the redemption of man—He knew we would sin before He created us and He loves us so much that He created us anyway! He chose Abraham to be the father of Israel and provided that through his seed the Messiah would come. And God also promised that He would be the Savior of all who would believe, whether Jew or Gentile. Just as John wrote, “God so loved the world, that he gave”. God sent Jesus that we might have life in Him, through the salvation that He would purchase at Calvary.

A baby born to die for our sin—that’s how much God loves YOU! And if you know Him, shouldn’t your light be shining brighter than any string of decorations?

“Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” Isaiah 42:5-7

God opens the blind eyes to see their own sin (If they will but hear the voice of His Spirit!) and He will deliver them through the sacrifice of Jesus, when they will believe in Him. He loves you and me today and wants us to come to Him. We can choose light or darkness. What are you choosing today? If you don’t know Jesus, He is calling to you today—if you will but respond in repentance of sin that you can’t fix, and believe in the death, burial and resurrection of the ONE who came to fix/pay for your sin and mine. It’s why He came. And coming to Him will enable His light to shine from within you and me, for He places His peace, light, joy and love in our hearts.

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”  Romans 5:5

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”   Romans 14:17

So SHINE! SHINE the “the light of the world” TODAY!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #319 The Shadow Of Death???

 

“The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down

in green pastures:

he leadeth me

beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me

in the paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod

and thy staff

they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4

That tiny baby in the manger was and IS the Good Shepherd as well as the sacrificial Lamb of God who came that we might have life—abundant life here on Planet Earth, as well as eternal life with Him beyond death. But that child whose coming we celebrate at this time of year knew that HE had come to die for us.

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Jesus knew what He was coming to do and that was to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” for those who would believe in Him. He tried to prepare his disciples for what was coming, but how could they comprehend this amazing love of God that would send “His only begotten Son” to the cross? Yet Jesus wanted them to know before hand, and He knew that they would come to understand that He came for that purpose, dying for all who would believe the message about Him, the Gospel that they would spread throughout the world!

“ And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” Matthew 20:17-19

God had prophesied all of this long before it came to pass, and Psalm 22 is one of the most amazing of these prophecies. (Read the entire Psalm today if you haven’t!)

“Many bulls have compassed me:

strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

13 They gaped upon me with their mouths,

as a ravening and a roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint:

my heart is like wax;

it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd;

and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws;

and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

16 For dogs have compassed me:

the assembly of the wicked

have inclosed me:

they pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I may tell all my bones:

they look and stare upon me.

18 They part my garments among them,

and cast lots upon my vesture.”      Psalm 22:12-17

And just as God was faithful to keep His word regarding the first coming of the Messiah, He will certainly keep His Word about His second coming—His return as the victorious King not the suffering servant. Jesus is coming again for His own and to set up HIS kingdom. He went through that “valley of the shadow of death” for us but HE didn’t remain in the tomb, He arose from the dead and overcame sin, death and hell for all who will believe in Him, and He is coming for His own. (See 1 John 4:4 & 5:4)

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know,

and the way ye know.” John 14:1-4

And because of what Jesus has done for the world, we can face that “shadow of death” without fear of any evil, just as He did. But this is only true for those who belong to Jesus. While we live in a culture of death, it breaks my heart that those who promote that culture are doomed for death and hell with no hope apart from Jesus. So we must be faithful to proclaim the hope, love and life that Jesus died to give to all who will believe, knowing that those who belong to Him need not fear death (Or ignore it.) for Jesus is interceding for us always (See Heb. 7:25), and He promises to walk with us through the valleys, trials and victories– “We Win”!

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

The choices we make about Jesus have eternal consequences–either heaven or hell. And Jesus and His Word will be the standard, not man’s opinions. Are you ready to walk through that “valley”? You can walk with the Only One who turns that “shadow of death” into life, who bought forgiveness and life with His own blood. Or you can walk alone, and face Him as your judge, rather than your advocate! The choice is yours but it’s an eternal choice!!

“For the word of God is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints

and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”    Hebrews 4:12-13

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.25      Peace On Earth???

 

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:13-14

Who was this Jesus, whose birth we celebrate during this time of year? Many around us know He was a baby, but they leave Him in the manger, and don’t acknowledge His deity and work for the salvation of “whosoever believeth in Him”! So let’s take a look today and for the next few weeks at who this baby was and who He IS. It is not only a matter for celebration, but it’s also a matter of life and death—eternal life or eternal death.

As we see in the account from Luke, the angels came to the shepherds to announce the birth of the Savior and Messiah, the arrival of “Emmanuel”-God with us, and the arrival of the “One” way to God the Father! And what did these angels proclaim?

“Glory to God in the highest”—heaven knew who this child was, but mankind had yet to find out, that this baby in the manger would bring absolute glory to His Father! He did bring glory to His Father, and He will bring glory to His Father yet! But can we bring glory to God? Yes we can, first of all by trusting in this precious gift of salvation that Jesus is, and then to live life in and through His power, provision, love and grace through the direction of His Holy Spirit.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

We are to do all to God’s glory, living in a way that points people to Jesus; we are to be a reflection of the glory of Jesus to a lost and dying world. A world in need of a Savior!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

And I can only bring glory to God as I walk in His Spirit, and allow Jesus to live through my hands, my feet, my tongue and heart and my life! But I can only do that through His power and the recognition that without Him I can’t accomplish much of eternal value.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

I must abide in Jesus in all my ways—up or down, in or out, happy or sad, strong or weak, I must rest in the power and wisdom of God, that the light that He puts within the redeemed may shine brightly through me. And I can only do that as I yield to the Holy Spirit that Jesus has given to dwell within me, within all who come to Jesus in repentance and faith.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……… 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:16, 24-26

We must walk in the Spirit’s control, for just as Jesus said, “without me ye can do nothing”, Paul reiterated in his letter to the Romans:

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18

But Paul tells us where to find it in chapter 8!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”             Romans 8:1-6

You see it’s that “peace” with God, the “new birth” that produces a life that reflects the glory and peace of God. What we must understand is that without the work of Jesus in our lives, we cannot accomplish anything of eternal value in the Kingdom of God. I think Jesus meant more than we often understand in John 14:6, when He said He was “the way…the truth….and the life…”. While we know He was specifically (and contextually) referring to the salvation that He was about to provide at Calvary, I think we can also understand that He is the only “way” that we can live for God, through the power of the Holy Spirit; we can also rely upon Him for being the “truth” that we are to live by—not just facts, but the very person of Jesus Christ abiding within us, and leading us unto “all truth”; and we can also have the real “abundant life” that He came to provide as we walk in His Spirit’s power and direction in our everyday lives.

When we come to Jesus in saving faith, and learn to walk in His ‘way’, His ‘truth’, and His ‘life’ then we can truly experience “peace, good will toward men”! In fact Jesus is the only way that we can have real peace. Not the absence of conflict, confusion or stormy days, but the power to walk through them victoriously IN Jesus, because Jesus is restores us to a relationship of “peace” with God, so that we are no longer His enemy but His child! Praise God Almighty!

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13

“Born…of God” because Jesus gives us “new birth” wherein we are restored to a personal relationship with God, because Jesus paid the price for the “treaty” of peace, if you would. He paid the “sin” debt, which we could only pay with our lives—either by yielding our lives to Jesus in repentance and faith, or our lives destroyed in hell for eternity. And God has no desire that people perish, but that they come to repentance and faith in Jesus. God loves us so much that HE paid our price with the life, death, burial and resurrection of HIS SON!!! All that we might restored to “peace” with Him—peace on earth, good will toward men=Jesus! And without Jesus there is no real peace.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience;

and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom

we have now

received the atonement.”    Romans 5:1-11

True peace on earth comes in the person of Jesus Christ and the “atonement” (Making amends for wrongs done!) that He made for us through His blood shed for us on the cross. And that my friends, is the beauty of the message of Christmas—Jesus– His love and His atoning death for us. He came that we might have life, eternal life with Him. He came into humanity via a virgin birth. He lived a sinless, perfect life. He died a death for sin He hadn’t committed so that we who have sinned could have life that we don’t deserve. That my friends, is the mercy, love and grace of God, which Christmas represents. He loved ME—He loved YOU enough to leave heaven’s glory to walk streets of dirt, live among sinful men and die in our place. Will you come to Him if you haven’t? Will you live for Him if you have?

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”      Philippians 2:5-13

So my question in closing is, “Are you working out what God has put within you?” Or are you living your life, your way for your ends? As Jesus so aptly put it:

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

Who are you serving? The God who gives “peace that passeth all understanding”, or are you serving something else that can never give or produce real life-changing peace. As my friend Bro. Scott says, “Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours!!!” Choose wisely dear ones, and Merry Christmas to you all—the Real CHRISTmas! The peace of God and glory to God!!!

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #318 An Open And Obedient Heart???

 

“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.

28 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.

29 And when she saw him,

she was troubled at his saying,

and cast in her mind

what manner of salutation

this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her,

Fear not, Mary:

for thou hast found favour with God.

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:

and the Lord God shall give

unto him the throne

of his father David:

33 And he shall reign

over the house of Jacob

for ever;

and of his kingdom

there shall be no end

34 Then said Mary unto the angel,

How shall this be,

seeing I know not a man?

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.

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.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord;

be it unto me according to thy word.

And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:26-38

Here we have the account of Mary the mother of Jesus, and I’d like us to simply consider the wonder of this amazing encounter. What was so special about Mary? What can we learn from this precious young woman—probably a mid-teen aged girl? Yet God chose her to bear His Son. Luke tells us that God’s assessment of the young woman was clear, “thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women”!

Highly favored? Why was Mary “highly favored” by God? In scripture “favored” can mean someone or something ‘looks’ good, usually referred to as ‘well-favored’, but here I think God is revealing to us a picture of a Proverbs 31 woman. A woman (although young) who had a heart set on God. Mary wasn’t a lettered scholar, or a queen like Esther, or even one who married a man of means like Ruth, but she was a woman who God saw as worthy of His favor—the favor to be selected as the vessel, the mother of the Messiah. We also see that The Lord was with her. She was already yielded to The Lord’s work in her heart. Just as Old Testament Joseph was carried into slavery yet responded in a godly manner in all his ways, for his character was already established as one sensitive and open to God’s work in his life. In the same way Mary reveals a heart that was already set on God.

Here we find a virtually nameless, unimportant, seemingly unprepossessing (Look it up, but it’s the opposite of ‘favored’!) young teenager, yet she had already made her choice to be devoted to The Almighty God of the universe. Her blessing came out of her availability not any seeming worldly qualifications. Mary was fit before God, and what man thought was unimportant. How about us? Are we so busy striving to impress the world, our co-workers, our peers, our church family, or even our physical family that we have missed the opportunity to be found “highly favoured” before God? Do we focus on things rather than character?

How do we know Mary’s character? I think we can see her character in her responses. She could have run away like Jonah did when he was given an unpleasant task (See Jonah 1:3). Mary could have lied about her situation like Abraham did (See Genesis 12:11 & 20:2). But Mary, even in her fear at the sight of this angel of God, received his words of peace and yielded herself to hear what this messenger had to say. Not only did she hear the message but after asking questions of qualification (not questions in unbelief as Zechariah did in chapter 1) to know how she ought to proceed, she gave herself totally to God to accomplish HIS purposes as HE saw fit.

“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Verse 38

Mary was willing to endure whatever God had for her, a young virgin teenager, even though Joseph would know it wasn’t his child; her parents would have been skeptical at the least—God did it? Yet Mary stepped out in faith and committed herself to whatever God would do. She trusted God more than her circumstances or those around her. How would she tell her mom and dad? What would Joseph say? What would the neighbors think? The scandal could cause a stir, yet like Isaiah she said, “Here am I; send me”!  (Isaiah 6:3)

What have we said to God? Have I been too busy to say anything to God? Have I said no? Have I said, “Lord, I’m just too busy”? Have we said, “I’m not qualified”? Have we said, “Let someone else do it”? So many answers, but only ONE is pleasing to God. Mary said it, Isaiah said it, Joseph said it, Abraham said it, Jesus said it—will you say YES to God’s call on your life? It’s a question that only you can answer. But one thing to consider is, do you want to be favored, accompanied by and blessed by The Lord? Well, if you do then dig into His Word, spend time with Him in prayer and devotion; listen to His Spirit as a child of God should, and then just say YES!!! “Here am I” Lord!

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.” Psalms 21:2

“And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.” Isaiah 49:5

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a