Today we continue our trek to Christmas not by discussing our cyber Monday deals but by continuing our preparation for the coming of the Messiah in this Christian season we’ve traditionally called Advent. This year we have decided to step back in time to period when America was a in a transition from being a nation at war with one another, to a country looking for its soul. In many ways Ulysses S. Grants declaration of Christmas as a national holiday in 1870 expressed a hope in the miracle of change that happens when we come to understand our purpose in this world.
Now, when I say miracle, I think I need to clarify it a bit because just like the word “awesome” is overused. I believe the word miracle is overused. I mean is it really a miracle that you get a parking spot in the parking lot? Is it really a miracle when you find your car keys or your cell phone in between the seat cushions on the couch? Is it a miracle when your child cleans their room or puts gas in the car? Is it really a miracle when your spouse finally fixes the leaky faucet after 10 years? No. However, the uniqueness of the event does qualify it as great moment in history but not a miracle.
We often want a miracle. Some are quick to proclaim them. Others like to cast doubt through the use of science or even logic. Which ever side you fall on, tells the rest of us about who you have come to understand God to be and how He generally works in the world. Now let me be clear, I believe in miracles. I believe God does intercede supernaturally into this world. He has, he does and he will again. I like the definition of a miracle as:
Slide
A miracle is an event which the forces of nature—including the natural powers of man—cannot of themselves produce, and which must, therefore, be referred to a supernatural agency. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/5-what-does-the-bible-say-about-miracles
We heard it said a thousand different ways, be careful what you pray for? I think this includes miracles because a miracle requires great responsibility.
Our scripture reading for today details just such a miracle, it’s the story of Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel and then later, the Holy Spirit.
The story is simple. A young virgin Jewess of the tribe of Judah, a descendant of David possibly 13-17 years old is in the process of arranged marriage to a poor carpenter when she is visited by the angel Gabriel. Like His visit to Zechariah 6 months earlier, he came unexpectedly and shared some pretty impactful news. She listens and then asks a similar question to Zechariah’s but the angel doesn’t put her on mute. Let’s dive into the scripture at that point. At verse 34:
SLIDE: The miraculous is evidence of God. Prophecy fulfilled provides evidence of God.
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God.36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Now, why didn’t the angel Gabriel silence her when she asked a similar question to Zechariah? The angel answers the question because her question was an expression of faith not an evidence of unbelief. Zechariah was a priest and righteous but when asked to be instrument in God’s will, he questions God’s abilities. Mary on the hand expresses humility.
Humility is the primary attribute for God’s selection because His power, authority and handiwork are revealed. Humility is the quality God desires most.
Philippians 2:3-4 = Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Mary believed the promise but did not understand the performance or details. It was to be miracle.
A divine event that is an indisputable fact, with a worthy motive, credible witnesses, an instantaneous effect, a change in perceptions, no secondary causes that can be reasonably purported and more than a passing interest in the divine happens because of it.
The angel Gabriel explains this would be a miracle of the Holy Spirit; the baby would be a holy one. It is shortly thereafter accepts her new role, as the mother of God. Mary’s words at the end of the event were: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word be fulfilled.”
Now, as I review this statement I am struck with the realities. Mary was accepting a role that would bring her a considerable conflict. She would have to deal with:
1) A future husband – he had every right to divorce her, accuse her of adultery, etc.
2) Her own parents and extended family – in a shame and honor society, she was about to bring shame upon them all by her perceived lack of purity.
3) Her girlfriends – would have wrestled with hanging out with her reputation of her loose morals or even her psychotic claims that the Lord did this to me
4) Her community would have looked down upon her and might even be consider her a virus to their way of life
5) Even her religion would have been anti-Mary. The Old Testament claimed she was unclean and if it could be proved that she could be banished or killed.
So would you have said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word be fulfilled” if you knew the cost?
Slide: Do I have what it takes to be responsible for a miracle?
Can we say it? Can I put aside my vision, dreams or ambition to fulfill what God wants for me?
Money, success, appreciation, reward, accolades, identity, popularity, adoration, importance, fulfillment, smart, center of attention,
The reality is many of us would want the miracle but not want to wrestle with what comes along with it. Making this decision reveals something. It’s as if we have a prejudice against the idea of God working miracles today because they might require us to suffer and thus re-evaluate our world, our beliefs and to ultimately change our lives.
A miracle happens not for our benefit or even our comfort but so others can gain insight about God, be directed to Him and finally, to come to believe in Him.
This week, I would like to ask you to read chapter one of Luke from beginning to end. Afterward, I would like to suggest you take time to pray for His use of your life to positively affect another. Then, we you have completed praying, I would ask you sit still for 15 minutes repeating the word’s “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word be fulfilled.” If you get an intuition, a name audibly hear from the Lord, I would request you write it down and then get into action. If nothing happens, continue to pray and look for ways to be a servant in your home, work and school. You never know when God’s going to work through you but you must be listening and willing.
https://communitycenter.life/rev-robert-butler-info
