Blessed Is She Who Believed Series

Christmas time is upon us. When asked to name something about Christmas many people will mention gifts or presents. It’s always exiting to receive a gift! Amen? This morning we are going to see how the Lord would provide Mary with a very special gift within her womb, the gift of a son. He would not be just any child though, but the very Son of God and Savior of the world! Something interesting about her gift is she would not be able to unwrap it until she submitted and believed the Lord’s promise to give it to her. Hang on and I will show you what I mean.

Before we get started, I want to ask you how you would feel if someone promised you a gift, but then said you could not receive it until you believed in it and asked for it. First all you would think that’s ridiculous, and secondly you would have to make a decision to do what was necessary to receive that gift. Would you believe in it, and ask for it, as you were told, or would you walk off in pride thinking, “I am not going to humiliate myself by asking for a gift.” This morning we are going to see that God offers each of us the greatest gift in all the world, but in order to receive it we will have to believe in it and ask for it!

Mary Considered (vv. 26-29)

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

We read here where the angel Gabriel came to Mary. Just as Gabriel was sent to Mary, the Holy Spirit comes and knocks on the door to our heart, and when He does Jesus is the one doing the asking. He asks us to believe in Him and allow him to come in. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” If you are here this morning and Jesus is knocking on the door to your heart, how will you respond to Him?

When Jesus knocks on your heart’s door, He wants to share some Good News with you! God reaches out from heaven and He invites people to a high calling, a calling to become one of God’s own children through faith in Jesus Christ. He reaches out and shares the amazing news that you are highly favored, chosen and beloved by God. In John 15:16 Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you . . .” Whenever you hear this amazing news in your heart, how will you respond? Some people will be like Mary. They will feel somewhat troubled.

The reason will be different among individuals. Mary was troubled in a unique way we will never fully understand, as she was told she would be the mother of the Son of God. For many people today, they are troubled because they are faced with a decision to commit their lives to Christ or to deny Him. We read that Mary took time to consider. Some people will become troubled as they consider what they will have to forsake or change in their life in order to follow Jesus. Are you here today, considering deeply what you are hearing? I urge you to consider and ponder carefully.

Mary Questioned (vv. 30-34)

30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

Mary was given more detail into why she was said to be favored. Not only was she the mother of God’s Son, but to her was revealed the news of the Savior, Jesus Christ. According to Matthew, the name Jesus means salvation, “for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus would come to lay down His life on the cross, and as He did He would take on the punishment for the world’s sin. When He took our punishment, then we were set free from punishment and saved from the penalty of our sin, which is death (Romans 6:23). If we believe in Jesus salvation takes effect in our life (Romans 10:9-10)