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12-09-07: God’s Unexpected Blessings |
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On this second week of Advent we get into Luke’s description of God’s announcement, to Mary, that she would be the mother of the Christ child. The Angel Gabriel made this spectacular “annunciation” to Mary in a passage that skeptics have questioned since the dawn of Christianity. It’s worth noting that Mary was also startled by this, the fact that she was a virgin, the fact that God had not directly spoken to humans for 400 years and that the conception was to be done by the Holy Spirit all added to her “adjustment period.”
On this second week of Advent we get into Luke’s description of God’s announcement, to Mary, that she would be the mother of the Christ child. The Angel Gabriel made this spectacular “annunciation” to Mary in a passage that skeptics have questioned since the dawn of Christianity. It’s worth noting that Mary was also startled by this, the fact that she was a virgin, the fact that God had not directly spoken to humans for 400 years and that the conception was to be done by the Holy Spirit all added to her “adjustment period.”
Eloquent young Mary sings or chants a message that has become one of the most stunning articulations of praise ever made to proclaim the greatness of God. In it she acknowledges her own humble origin and the privilege of being called to this lofty honor, that God has done great things for her and for Israel, and that the mercies and power of God, locally recognized by some believing Jews, will soon extend to all people for all time.
I think it’s important to note that this is a difficult passage and it has been the tendency of Christians to overlook its complexity and of non-believers to dismiss it. Several thoughts: first, the people of Mary’s time did not expect a human visit from God – basically the idea was unthinkable. The Jewish reverence for God was so profound that any such idea would be considered blasphemy against the only high God. The people were hoping for a “Messiah” (Hebrew for one who is anointed) but NOT God Himself. Second, illegitimate pregnancy was the source of great shame in a Jewish family, punishable by shunning or even death. We see that Joseph, Mary’s very decent fiancée, thought about breaking the engagement. Third, who is likely to believe the claim that God is the father of the baby? Remember, this is a very established and moral society. Such a claim sounded just as absurd in Mary’s time as it would in our time.
So all of this is part of God’s challenging plan for our redemption and our reconciliation with God and God’s reconciliation with us. I am convinced it is not God’s intention to make this easy to believe. It’s a struggle that forces us out beyond the predictable and obvious. It forces us to the intersection of reason and faith and expands both.
A couple of noteworthy observations from this passage:
•God will do His business His way, don’t try to predict God.
•God does the unexpected.
•God’s design is always larger than ours.
•God will find the right and willing person at the right time for the right job.
There are a bunch of other lessons in here but most important, God notifies Mary that in her life and in human events, everything is about to change. Please remember that God’s change has already taken place but it is also still taking place. We are part of that still changing revelation. Keep your eyes open for strange and unexpected blessings! So there you have it. REJOICE! |
