Gospel Reading – Luke 1:26-38
Theme: Annunciation to Mary
Sermon title – Not another Teenage Pregnancy Story
Response: Luke 1:46-55
Song of Mary – She Glorifies/Rejoices in God for he has been mindful of her.
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God."
38"I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Why do we even celebrate this story of Christ’s virgin birth? Could it be real? Yesterday’s newspaper, The National Post, printed a two page article on Mary. It highlighted the trouble people have with her story of the miraculous virgin birth of the Christ. Here’s how Charles Lewis, the author of the article, puts it “Of all the beliefs across time there is none so seemingly extraordinary as belief in the Virgin birth.” He reported that in various surveys taken over recent years that about a quarter of Protestant clergy have serious doubts about the Virgin Birth. Historically, Protestants also have neglected Mary because to focus on her is to just too close for comfort, it feels too much like Roman Catholicism.
To be sure, Mary’s story a real shocker of a story! It’s infinitely more shocking than the teen pregnancy story of Britney’s sister. What person today, in this day and age, would believe a story of an angelic visit to a teenage girl in a village that has a bad reputation? Why did the writer of the Gospel of Luke even bother to mention such an embarrassing story? He, of all people, a medical doctor, should know the impossibility of a virgin birth. So why mention something like that in detail risking ridicule, risking credibility, risking people laughing it off? Wouldn’t it better just to say Jesus was born and just edit out the embarrassing details of a scandalous virgin giving birth? And later in history, why didn’t the church fathers use whiteout when they assembled the Scriptures together to form what we have today in the Bible?
Think about the place where Mary is said to be from. Folks in those days would say about Nazareth -“Can anything good come out of there?” (Jn.1:46). It is, as if, it was a disease ridden God forsaken place. What a reputation! At any rate, it is just not the coolest place to be from. It sure is not Whistler, but some dusty little village that nobody would notice if it was wiped out by some disaster. Wouldn’t u want the Savior of the world be born to a celebrity from a big city? But there is something about Mary you just gotta know, that Luke the doctor wants you to know. It’s just not another teenage pregnancy story that got everybody gossiping on the Internet. Turn with me to the beginning of Luke’s Gospel
1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Did you get Luke’s reasoning? He is not going to falsify the true story. He is telling it as it is, from eyewitness accounts, with all the eye-popping, belief suspending, seemingly ridiculous notions of a virgin birth and miracles. He verified the testimonies, using his meticulous research skills as a medical doctor. He wrote it to give a factual account of what actually happen. No editing of embarrassing details. No tampering with the evidence and eyewitness accounts. The reason for all that research and fact finding is as we read in v.4 - that we may know the certainty of the things we have been taught regarding Jesus Christ.
So...Let’s get deeper into the story. We hear in the story, that the angel said to Mary, who is said to be around 13 years old – “you are highly favoured, the Lord is with you.” Translation: “God really digs you”! Imagine that for a moment here. How would you feel, if u r a teen from Nowheresville and some supernatural being shows up? Sounds more like a creepy horror movie to you?
She might be thinking… Barely out of Junior High, and I’m gonna die? What was Mary’s response? Look at the biblical text. See her giving high fives to the angel? doing cartwheels? I don’t think she heard that God digs her at all. I don’t think she’s responding with a “Duh, like I know that already, it’s like Sunday school 101.” I don’t think she’s having a Hannah Montana moment; is the angel talking to my rockstar teen sensation personality and not to good old ordinary Miley/mary. Well, no need to guess how Mary felt. Look at in v.29 it says clearly she was greatly troubled. Translation: she was completely freaked out and wondered if she’s gonna live through this or is this some sort of psychotic episode. Is this not a completely natural human response? This is not like a Rambo movie where there is no expression of fear, ever see Rambo getting freaked out?
In response to that natural human fear, the angel addressed her agitated fear-filled freaked out state and calmed her down by saying to her “Do not be afraid, Mary”. The angel then restated the fact God digs her to the core (v.30) “you have found favour with God.” Then comes the shocker… in v.31 you’re gonna have a pre-named kid, in a pre-married state, according to a pre-arranged divine plan, that wouldn’t all… this yet to be born kid is going to be the King who’ll establish a kingdom that will go on longer than the energizer bunny. To Mary’s ears, I am sure it sounds very spooky, because it sounds similar to the 2 Samuel 7 prophecy of the permanency of the Davidic kingdom. I wonder if she was having flashbacks of her Sunday school lessons about some boring old prophecies then. Again how can you make up stuff like this, that centuries old prophecy could be fulfilled in the life of a teen from Hicksville?
But look at Mary’s response….Typical teen response… can’t see big picture yet. She can’t think about kingdom of God stuff. Developmentally, as we know from today’s research on the human mind, especially as a 13 year old, and the capacity to process abstract thought not in full bloom yet - She’s thinking in very concrete terms - she’s thinking, er hello, I am a virgin? Where is the baby coming from? You need a man and a woman coming together, I don’t see that happening yet so let’s not go to saving the world stuff scenarios yet. Look at the angel dude Gabriel’s reply, “Not a problem, remember your barren Senior citizen cousin Elizabeth, well she is a having a kid, so God can, ya know, do God stuff”. Nothing is impossible with God! That’s the kicker, isn’t it, it’s a God thing!
The formerly barren, senior citizen cousin, a six month old kid in her now, hmmm…. She did the math and yup, that’s a god thing alright - surely I could have a kid by divine intervention as a virgin. So we see her response in v.38 – as she buys into what the angel said, and answered "I am the Lord’s servant,". "May it be to me as you have said." Translation: Cool! Sign me up! That’s so cool, she’s just so cool!! Why do I think she’s cool?
Let’s have a quick history lesson here… then we’ll know why she’s such a cool customer. The time in which this story was set in was the time of Herod the Great. What we know of him is that he was cruel, heartless, used his political power for his own selfish ends. The Roman senate on the advice of Antony and Octavian, gave Herod the title “King of the Jews” even though he was NOT a pure Jew. Herod was an Idumaeaen, descendants of Esau, from the region called Edom. Cut the story short… They have a long history of bad blood, loads of violence. They were generally regarded as backstabbers and rivals of Israel. In other words, Herod was NOT and would not and will not be in a million years, accepted by the Jewish people as legit. Apparently, Herod fought wars for 3 years to ensure this title was effective, sending people to their deaths because he was power hungry. So it was not the Jewish folk who gave him the title, the title was given to him because he was really a friend and ally of the hated oppressive trigger happy Romans.
Let me share a little more insight into the character of Herod - he was very suspicious, to the extreme. We know he married into his rival’s family, the Jewish Hasmonaean family, to score some points with the Jews – as the Hasmonaeans were much more legit heirs to the Jewish throne. So he took Mariamne from that family to be his wife. Due to his suspicious nature, Herod started eliminating murdering one by one all his in-laws, including his wife! Herod also killed his oldest son apparently a few days before his own death because he felt threatened. His reign is filled with generous amounts of violence. He employed mercenaries and a secret police to enforce order. You would remember that he even ordered the slaughter of the innocents, children 2 years and under around the time of Jesus’ birth just to make sure there is no rival to him in power and in order to cling to his throne. Yup, even babies were not spared. Herod was a terrible, terrified, paranoid state-sanctioned terrorist.
Also, Herod taxed the Jews greatly. Booo!!! With great taxes comes great responsibility., yeah sure! Herod was not a compassionate man — he spearheaded lavish buildings projects to honor himself and to make sure his Roman pals were impressed. And so the poor were shafted in more ways than one, oppressed, they became even poorer under Herod’s unjust rule. What a mobster! To say he was hated by many of the Jews, is probably an understatement.
Let us hear then with new ears, the words of the annunciation, the angelic announcement of the birth of Jesus with the tension of those political times, with the Jews under tremendous stress, with little to look forward to,
30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
Do you sense how awesome these words would sound to Mary and her people? He will be great this Jesus for He will oppose the unjust rule of terror of Herod and the Romans. He will bring down their rule and give justice to the Jews, like the days of King David. This kingdom will never end! He will be the Messiah… the chosen anointed one, sayonara to Herod and the Romans! Easy for us to gloss over this, but for Mary and her world it was refreshing news, like a dip in the ocean on a hot summer day.
Can you sense that these are actually angelic fighting words? The annunciation to Mary is a political time bomb! The Throne of David dethroning the Romans and Herod. These are words of rebellion, high treason. To the Romans and Herod, these words sound like one of those cursed threatening recordings of Osama Bin Laden. These are words that railed against the crushing decadent Western power of Rome. These are words of that makes fun of the Roman idea that their son of a god, i.e. Caesar Augustus is the Savior and Ruler of the known world who is not god all, for Jesus will be greater and He will be called the Son of the Most High, the real son of God! These are words that speak of the demise of the Roman empire replaced by a kingdom that will never end. These are words that speak of freedom and victory over the current realities that Mary and her people faced on a daily basis. It freedom fighter time! Yes, God has noticed the humble state she has been in, and you can almost hear her just licking her lips, desiring for her God-hero to show up and blow up those gangsters who rule her land, “He will be great, the Son of the Most High, whose kingdom will never end.” YES!
So if you think Mary was the cover-girl for the Mediterranean Home and Garden Magazine, I think we may need to revise it just a wee bit. Let me suggest we need to just readjust the Christmas card soft angelic looking Mary, the quiet subdued, peaceful, meek, kinda soulful, meditative housewife… I am sure could be that but just checking her words recorded in the Bible within the historical narrative, we can see she was a fiery young girl, who saw the injustices in her world and rages, and would just love the chance to stick it to the man. How do I know that?
Look at the song that’s attributed to her, which is known as the Magnificat in Luke 1:46ff. She celebrated with gusto, definitely not a song filled with romantic fluff Celine Dion style! This song has an edge to it and was composed after she received confirmation from her retirement age cousin, Elizabeth, that she is blessed among women, that this child of Mary’s is going to be the Lord God in the flesh and how much more blessed is she now that she has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! So hear these edgy lyrics once again…
46And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, (That sound like a quiet soul? She’s rocking here!!)
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant. (mindful of her powerlessness against the powers of her day)
From now on all generations will call me blessed, (sound like a subdued soul?)
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; ( thoughts of mighty deeds Exodus style, victory over the Egyptians, red sea parting type of stuff)
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. (Herod)
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones (thinking of the Herod and Romans)
but has lifted up the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty. (sounds like she’s in tune with her times, vindication of suffering under corrupt unjust rule)
54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55to Abraham and his descendants forever, (sound like she’s knowledgeable of the hopes and aspirations of the Jewish nation which is cooking to a boiling point)
even as he said to our fathers."
Her choice of words reveals how deeply she felt the oppression felt by her people – humble, hungry, needing a divine intervention. It sounds more like a rap song that spoke of the rage she must feel deep inside her Jewish heart, that’s been looking for a Messiah figure promised from the distant past. What she is celebrating in total joy is the thought that - FINALLY down, down with the Oppressors, look out – God’s a coming our way, there is no stopping this express train. And boy, you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, cause God’s salvation is coming to town! I think Mary would have loved watching the Terminator movies, she would have resonated with Sarah Connor character, brandishing a “watch out world” attitude, there is some rear-end kicking action coming.
Mary’s Magnificat, is more of a battle cry than a beer drinking song sung just for laughs, it is a statement of faith, a statement of extreme joy in an unbelievably dark time in history, rallying the people of Israel in hopes of a mighty exodus style deliverance. With all her heart she actively believes the corrupt unjust rule of Herod the Great is finally going to be a fotenote in history. So her soul glorifies the Lord, her spirit rejoices in God her Savior. How do you make up stuff like that? It totally jives with the current feelings of Mary’s day, for every Jewish heart longing for some relief from a Messianic figure.
Scot McKnight in article written for Christianity Today, remarked:
We can quietly repeat the Magnificat during evening prayers, or we can stand with Mary, sing it full throttle, and declare that justice ultimately will be established. The Herods of this world will be dethroned because Mary’s son, the newly conceived Son of David, has gained a foothold in our world. Herod dethroned and Jesus enthroned was Mary’s rallying cry. You can paint the Blessed Virgin Mary as tender and a splendid example of spirituality, or you can celebrate the Blessed Valorous Mary, who heralded a socio-religious protest against injustice in the person of her own Messiah-son.
I like the sound of that last line, don’t you? A socio-religious protest against injustice – that is our girl, Mary! You go girl! No amount of human ingenuity, effort, brute force, can save our world. It’s got to be a God thing!
Even now, after centuries of history lessons, humans still cannot cure themselves, they are killing themselves now with even more sophisticated brutality, and technology, there is no lasting peace. Violence rages from the obscure parts of our world, to our streets, our schools and in our homes. Human sin is just too deep, we are all too frail from our own weaknesses to save ourselves. Perhaps you too are sensing that powerlessness, in a humble state, like Mary!
Remember Mary’s reality - one of powerlessness under the colossal unjust powers of her day. She’s just a teen, a female in a male gladiator glorifying Roman testosterone world. She possessed no army. No guns, no weapons of mass destruction. Her world was a mess and there is no hope for better days. Just another pregnant teen from nowheresville, poor, struggling, likely would be shamed for having a child out of wedlock, engaged to Joseph, a poor carpenter with no military skills, BUT nevertheless a descendant of David, as Gospel writer Luke clearly pointed out. says. A descendant of promise, a descendant that has a flickering hope that God’s rule would be established.
So we celebrate this embarrassing fantastic virgin birth of the Christ. We celebrate with Mary, finding joy in our own powerlessness to conquer our dark side and our dark world. That God can do the impossible and save a stinking corrupt world. We celebrate because it is not fictional made up story of human origin. Luke could’ve omitted the story but he put in to make sure we know with certainty the things we are taught about Jesus, that it is tied to centuries old prophecy even way before Luke himself was born. It is well-orchestrated pre-designed divine rescue plan. There is no conspiracy to hide the embarrassing truth.
Mary’s story then launches us into new depths of faith. That what Luke the Gospel write was shooting for. That you may know the certainty of the things you were taught. For our hope and joy is no longer be bound up in our current disappointments and circumstances. Our hope and joy is bound up in God who is a determined Savior! A God who so loves the world to redeem it, even if it meant being squished into Mary’s womb. Our hero God wants and will make all things right, just as Mary believed. That’s what the birth of Jesus signifies, the dawn of a new day the Messiah, Jesus, the Savior of the World, is coming. We too, look forward in the tradition of Mary, to the in-breaking of the kingdom that will never end, when He will come again in fulfill the promise made long ago. There will a kingdom where there will be no more wars, no more pain, no tears. We DO have hope in a dark world.
What’s your response to the virgin birth of Christ, is it like Mary’s “May it be to me as you said.”- that Jesus is the true Savior of the world? If you can, then celebrate Christmas full throttle! If you can’t, why not it make it so, what have you got to lose? This world will end with God’s rule being fully established, justice will sing its tune, but will you join in the singing? Will you sing like Mary sung? Say to Jesus, may it be as you have said. I get it now. Will you make Jesus the Lord, Master of your life? Will you say with me, bring it on, your kingdom come, your will be done Lord Jesus, come!
What a story! It’s a great setup for the enjoyment of the Christmas holidays – the story of an angelic visit to a teenage girl in a village that has a bad reputation. I trust you have found something good out of Nazareth. This is not just another teenage pregnancy story.
