GABRIEL VISITS MARY

Luke 1:26-31 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name JESUS.

In this context, the six months noted in the lesson text refers to the period of Elisabeth's conception. Although past childbearing age, God had assured her husband, Zacharias, through His messenger, the angel Gabriel, that a child would be born unto them and they were to call his name John. This prior visit of Gabriel took place within the temple in Jerusalem. As the lesson text begins, we again find God sending His messenger, Gabriel, on a very similar mission. This time he is sent unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, which lies approximately 60 miles north of Jerusalem. He was sent to deliver God's message to a virgin whose name was Mary. Although not yet married, she was espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, that is, before they came together (Matt. 1:18). Espousal is described as a betrothal - the promise of a future marriage between a man and a woman that was generally confirmed by oaths and usually followed by presents given to the prospective bride. It was very similar to the current day engagement ceremony. The text also indicates that she was of the house of David -a descendent of David. From Luke's account of Christ's Jewish linage we know that Joseph was also of the house of David.

God's message to Mary was first one of comfort and assurance. At first she was troubled, or perplexed and unable to fully comprehend this message from God. She was immediately assured that the Lord was with her, she was blessed ...among women, and that she should have no fear because she was highly favored in the sight of God. After this assurance, Gabriel delivers God's complete message to her: behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name JESUS. God's prophet, Isaiah, foretold this truth in practically the same words: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel (Isa. 7:14). By inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, Matthew assures us that this did, indeed, fulfill that Old Testament prophecy. Referring to Mary, a descendent of David, he wrote this: And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matt. 1:21-23). To quote an old preacher of the gospel who said that "if you can see through a ladder" you can see that this child born to the virgin Mary was the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world.

The next two verses also quote various Old Testament prophecies that fully describe our Savior and the majestic kingdom over which He would rule throughout eternity. He shall be great, ...the Son of the Highest, and seated on the throne of His father David, ...reign over the house of Jacob, and of His kingdom there shall be no end (Vss. 32-33). Unable to comprehend the full meaning of this angelic message, Mary could not understand how this conception was possible since she was still unmarried. Therefore she asked this question, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man (Vs. 34)? Gabriel explained that through the Holy Spirit, and by the miraculous power of the Highest, that is God, the holy thing, which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Vs. 35). Mary was assured of the immaculate power of God by explaining that it was God's will that thy cousin Elisabeth, ...hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. From this she realized that with God nothing shall be impossible (Vs. 37). With this assurance, Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy word. And the angel departed from her (Vs. 38). In complete faith and submission to the will of God, our Savior, Jesus Christ, was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary.