The angel starts out with the Holy Spirit,
then mentions God, and concludes with Jesus.
Mary is let known
about the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit who will begin the process of
allowing her to conceive in her virginity. This is because the power of the Most
High would overshadow her giving her the ability to conceive in her virginity.
Now the final result would be a ‘HOLY ONE’ being born who will be called the Son
of God.
It is very
significant that the angel answers Mary’s doubts with promises that are entirely
focused on God. The Holy Spirit, Power of the Most High, and Holy One called Son
of God all are names for God.
The
angel does not stop there but goes a step further giving her a promise that is
very tangible at the moment rather than intangible like the previous 3 promises.
When the angel
started giving Mary reasons, they were all spiritually intangible reasons that
she could not see right away but had to believe in faith. I believe God wanted
to appease her doubts more concretely so let the angel present a more concrete
tangible promise that can be seen.
This is evidenced
by the angel’s next promise:
“Even 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.” (Luke 1:36)
The angel lets her
know that Elizabeth is going to have a child in her old age. This statement
alone would also be intangible of something to come in the future and Mary would
have to take it in faith. The angel does not stop there but lets her know
Elizabeth who is barren is already in her sixth month. This is very significant
because now Mary could tangibly see something that seems humanly impossible
happening in her relative’s life. This is to assure Mary that if Elizabeth could
get pregnant and she was medically diagnosed to be barren then Mary too could
get pregnant even though she was a virgin.
After the angel
gives all the reasons, he concludes it with a powerful promise giving the credit
to God and letting her know it is because of God whatever is going to happen
will happen. This is evidenced by:
“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
After all these
reasons Mary’s doubts are definitely appeased. She may not have understood
everything nor had a scientific answer to explain what was going to happen but
she finally believed. Her doubts were appeased because her question was answered
patiently by the angel Gabriel.
I know she
believed because she makes two powerful statements to the angel which makes the
angel know her doubts are removed. This is evidenced by:
“I
am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then
the angel left her. (Luke 1:38)
It
is so interesting that the angel leaves only after hearing Mary’s response to
her doubt being appeased. Until then, the angel kept giving her reasons to
believe.
I saw wonderful
implications for our own life.
If we have doubts
and questions concerning the Lord and what He tells us, He we will not abandoned
us but will work with us.
I
ask you now dear friend, what do you do with your doubts?
Dear friend, it is
wonderful to know that our doubts and questions are not thrown away by the Lord.
Just as the Lord intervened through the angel Gabriel to work with Mary in her
doubts, He will intervene in your life to help you through your doubts. We need
not be afraid to ask questions of the Lord or concerning the Lord. He will send
someone our way to help us through these doubts. I do believe it.
I do not know the
doubts you may have right now. But the Lord does and He will not abandon you.
The Lord welcomes your questions. Take it to Him and He will respond. Wait upon
Him!
When John, the
Baptist who was born to Elizabeth had doubts later in his life concerning Jesus
who was born to Mary, Jesus did not abandon John but sent word to him in prison
to appease his doubts too.
Let us remember
that John was the one who was born before Jesus to prepare the way for Jesus’
coming. As circumstances started coming his way that were not good, doubt
started to creep into his ministry. He doubted the things he believed but the
Lord helped him through it through his disciples.
It becomes a big deal when we
know how long John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord. He is the one who
also baptized Jesus in the Jordan River (rf: Mark 1:9). Now it seems like John
is not sure about Jesus.
We need
to ask ourselves why?
Being in prison may have raised
doubts in John's mind. He easily could have been in despair. Also, he may have
wanted to assure himself even though he is in prison that what he stood for all
along was right! (rf: Luke 3:1-20, v.19 & 20 reveal why he was put in prison)
How can a
prophet who believed in Jesus, prepared the way for Jesus, and baptized Jesus
all of a sudden be filled with doubts?
Sometimes circumstances
we are in can make us doubt. John is a human just like us.
What does
Jesus do?
"So he
replied to the messengers, 'Go back and report to John what you have seen and
heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." (Luke 7:22-23)
Observations:
-
Jesus wanted the men to go
back to John.
-
Jesus wanted them to report
to John what they have seen. (rf Lk 7:21)
-
Jesus wanted them to report
what they have heard.
Observations:
Jesus told them to tell John
the Baptist 7 things:
-
Blind receive sight
-
Lame walk.
-
Those with leporsy are
cured.
-
Deaf hear.
-
Dead are raised.
-
The Good News is preached to
the poor!
-
Blessed is the man who does
not fall away on account of me.
Interpretations:
It is very interesting to know
that Jesus did not ignore John the Baptist when he had doubts but took the
effort to answer his doubts. He sent the messengers with evidence to reassure
John the Baptist that what he stood for before going to prison was right!
We learn the love of Jesus for
others. If people have doubts concerning Him, He does not just abandon them even
if they have served Him for a long time and then enter the times of 'despair and
doubt'.
Application:
We have seen John the Baptist
live for Jesus and all He did for Jesus. We also learn that he was put in prison
for standing up for what is right. Now he is in despair and doubt. We also see
Jesus coming along and sending a message of hope to John the Baptist. Especially
v.23 'Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account
of me.'
Dear
friends, I ask you now, 'Have you served the Lord and have been so enthusiastic
about telling others about Jesus? Have you been so excited about the Lord?'
What
about now?
Is that
enthusiasm and excitement for the Lord still there or are your circumstances
filling you with despair and doubt about what you believed in and stood for?
If you are in despair and
doubt, remember that Jesus will not abandon you. He will reach out to you just
as he reached out to John the Baptist. Oh Yes, He will! When you feel down and
in despair, remember all that the Lord Jesus has done in your life and in the
lives of others.
Jesus does not ignore John for
his doubts but reaches out to him with evidence and later also praises him for
all that he did in serving Jesus. (rf Luke 7:24-28)
Jesus reaches out to you too
and will not forget what you have done for Him. In your circumstances that are
filling you with doubt and despair, come to the Lord and stand upon His Word and
promises.
May you find the peace and joy
in the Lord this Christmas season and forever and blessed are those who do not
fall away on account of Jesus!
We will
all face trials and tribulations (rf: James 1:2-4) but the important thing is
what do we do with those trials and tribulations?
God loves you my friend and it
may be hard to face what you are going through. The Lord suffers with you and
knows your pain. Lean on Him.
The angel Gabriel never left
Mary until her doubts were appeased. Maybe the Lord has sent you to answer
someone’s questions and appease their doubts. You are placed at such a time as
this. Use that opportunity for the glory of the Lord and do not give up on the
person you are trying to reach out to. Remember, it is the Lord who works in
you to accomplish His purpose. Don’t give up but keep reaching out.
May you trust the Savior though
despair occurs in life for He will take care of us! Amen!
"Despair
Occurs Unfortunately, But Trust Savior!" (D.O.U.B.T.S)/"What
do you do with your doubts?"
Prayer:
Oh Father
God, we just come before you now. Thank you so much Father God for your Son
Jesus Christ, for sending Him into this world to rescue sinners like me. Oh Lord
Jesus, thank you so much for being with me through trials and tribulations. Even
in my doubts you never left me and kept to your promises. Oh Lord I thank you
for loving us so much. Your Word shows us that trials and tribulations are a
part of life but you will be with us. You want us to remember all that you have
done for us when we are filled with despair. You want us to trust in you and we
do that Oh Lord. I thank you Lord for reaching out to Mary and John the Baptist
in their time of despair and doubt. Thank you for reaching out to us too. We are
so sorry for all our sins and ask you to forgive us and rescue us. Light the
fire in our hearts again Oh Lord and fan the flame. Make us whole Oh Lord. You
know Oh Lord where we have been and we need you. Light the fire that once burned
so bright for you. I thank you Jesus. We give ourselves to you and rest in you
Lord. We rest in your love and care. Give us an undivided heart that we may
praise your Name. Thank you for hearing us and answering us! In Your Name We
Pray Jesus! Amen!
No matter what you feel in your
heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not
alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer
talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to
talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them
into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the
Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark! It is also important to be part of a body of believers
to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that
preaches Christ crucified and risen to bring us hope, healing, and help!
As a student, it is not too late to join a fellowship on campus too this
coming new year!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-720-4579
"This is
my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
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