GRACE (LUKE 1:26-38)
The birth of Jesus is often associated with words such as joy, peace, worship, praise and goodwill, but the first good news to Mary is that of grace (v 28, charitoo), including the angel’s imperative “greetings”(chairo).
What is grace? Why is grace a strength and not a weakness? How does grace make life worth living? How do we embrace grace?
1. Cast All Cares to the Lord (Luke 1:26-29)
Soon to be rocked by scandal, reviled by society and rife with questions, Mary understandably was “greatly troubled” (v 29) or “dia-tarasso” in Greek - shocked, stunned and shaken.
Jesus’ birth is a time of “trouble,” or “tarasso” in Greek. The first “trouble” in Luke describes how Zechariah was “startled/troubled.” Half a year after Zechariah’s trouble, Mary was “greatly troubled” (v 29) by an angel’s appearance and announcement. This Greek word (dia-tarasso) makes its first and only occurrence in the Bible, meaning “total, thorough, throughout” (dia-) and verse 12’s “troubled” (tarasso). No one could imagine the tension, her turmoil and test.
The Christmas message in Matthew is “God with US” (Matt 1:23), but the message of the angel to Mary was “the Lord is with YOU.” (Luke 1:28).
2. Count on Grace from the Lord (Luke 1:30-34)
Grace” is more uncommon than you think. Have you noticed how often grace is mentioned in Matthew and Mark? Not at all, because it occurs for the first time in the New Testament, both the verb (v 28 “highly favored”) and the noun (v 30 “favor”). Shockingly the word is absent from the gospels of Matthew and Mark, but it occurs four times in John (John 1:14, 16, 17) and eight times in Luke (Luke 1:30, 2:40, 2:52, 4:22, 6:32, 17:9), the most among the four gospels. Eight of its total 12 times in the gospels is related to Jesus or Mary. It is not too far-fetched to speculate that it is reserved for Mary’s occasion. No one deserves a better honor, tribute, praise and salutation.
What is GRACE then? No one can quite epitomize, exemplify and embody grace like Mary. It is:
- Living a life of Gratitude (Luke 6:32-342 Cor 8:16), also translated “thanks” (2 Cor 2:14, 9:15).
- Living a life of Rejoicing. See Luke 1:47 - “rejoiced.” Philem 7 - translated as joy.
- Living a life of Abundance. (Luke 1:42, 1:45 “blessed”)
- Living a life of Courage (v 30)
- Living a life of Essentials. My grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9)
Are you carrying a heavy burden today? Is a cloud of darkness boxing you in? Cast all your anxiety on the Lord because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
3. Choose to Live for the Lord (Luke 1:38)
Mary was a godly, good and gentle servant of God. Chronologically, the first servant (v 38) in the New Testament is a woman (v 38). The climax of Luke’s account is not the proclamation of Gabriel or the promise of Jesus but the permission of Mary (v 48). Her head comprehended it, her body conceived it, but her heart must confess it!
The story moved from Mary’s troubles to her turnaround, and now to her trust. The first time she said nothing, the second she sought clarification, the third she sang praises. Mary was not necessarily the most qualified, the most intelligent, and the most deserving to be chosen. The only unique reason why God chose her was “grace” - that she was a descendant of David. Mary’s life presently was one of confidence in God, cooperation with Him and commitment to Him.
Conclusion: The greatest gift God gave to us for Christmas is to send the Savior, but the greatest gift we give to Him is to be a servant. As a servant (doulos) ask yourself: Am I distinguished in service? Am I obedient in tasks? Am I unflagging in effort? Am I lowly in attitude?
