December 10 You're Like Mary

Luke 1:26-28 “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

THE scene shifts. We go from Zechariah and Elizabeth to the famous Christmas couple as we meet Mary. Mary becomes the main character. She’s the virgin.

     Oh my, Mary’s virginity is a very big deal. In Genesis 3, right after Eve and Adam made a bad decision to disobey God, God turned to Satan and said he would make the world right again. He would do so through the seed of a woman - not a woman and a man, but a woman. Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (underline added) And we read the great promise in Isaiah 7:14, he says, “the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (“Immanuel” means “God come down”)

     Oh, yes. It had been God’s plan from eternity past to bring forth a Savior for his people. And here God moved his plan one more step through this little teenaged virgin. He chose Mary from all the woman descended from Abraham and David who would ever live. Mary, you are indeed highly favored.

     Here’s something you might be surprised to know. You are like Mary. Yes, you are, even if you’re a man. Yes, you are even if you are married with many children. God, indeed, had a special purpose for highly favored Mary. And God has a special purpose for highly favored you.

     Do you think I’m crazy? I’m not. In amazement I am looking at God. Through him I’m seeing the cross. In the Spirit’s power I’m looking at God’s Word. Everything God has done since the Garden of Eden has been for you. Yes, you are highly favored. Immanuel came through the virgin to be your Savior. Immanuel came to free you from sin, to point you to Heaven, to give your life the purpose God ordained long, long, ago. Oh yes, my friend you are like Mary, highly favored and given a very special purpose in your life.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, you are magnificent! Your favor is on me through Jesus’ blood and the Holy Spirit’s anointing. Teach me and move me to always live in the wonder that I have been chosen for a special purpose in Jesus.