Unexpected Children

N.T.#471 "Unexpected Children"

Jan. 23, 2025 

Luke 1-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

I have always considered myself an unexpected child. My parents already has a son and daughter. Seven years later I came along. But I felt loved and was definitely spoiled. Today, we study about two unexpected children.

When Zacharias's week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. Don't you think they had a romantic weekend together? I say that because soon afterward Elisabeth, his wife, became pregnant and went into seclusion for 5 months. 

"How kind the Lord is!" she exclaimed. "He has taken away my disgrace of having no children." (verse 25)

Angel Gabriel was busy that year. He appeared to Zacharas in the Temple in Jerusalem and now to Mary. It was while Elisabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy that God sent Gabriel to Nazareth, a city of Galilee, to the virgin Mary, who was engaged to Joseph that he appeared again. (Joseph was a descendant of King David.)

Nazareth was a remote village north of Jerusalem. It sits on top of a mountain range above the Jezreel Valley. It was a farmland and a place where animals were raised. Rather insignificant, I would say, except for a special couple being from that place.

Mary was a virgin, (Parthen'os), a maiden; an unmarried daughter. Espoused means betroth.

Mary knew no man before the visit of Gabriel, so she was a pure, engaged girl. The engagement of Mary and Joseph could have lasted as long as a year, according to Jewish tradition. That was so it was evident the girl was not pregnant. The bride and groom were bound to each other, just not in a physical relationship. It took a writ of divorcement to break their covenant. Had the girl become pregnant during the betrothal period, she was viewed an adulteress and might be stoned publicly to punish her and vindicate the groom's honor. (Swindoll) 

LET IT GLOW

I wonder what Mary was doing whenever angel Gabriel appeared to her. Was she doing chores at home? Was she fetching water from the city well? Was she making her wedding dress? Scripture doesn't tell us, so it must not be important for us to know.

In verse 28, we read how the angel greeted Mary:

Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 

Favoured, in the Greek language, means to grace; endue with special honor; make accepted; highly favored.

Mary was full of grace, accepted. She was a recipient, not a dispenser, of divine grace. (MacArthur)

Mary was just a poor, young, female, who seemed unusable and unimportant to be used by God. Yet, God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience He has ever demanded of anyone.

You may feel that your ability, experience, or education makes you an unlikely candidate for God's service. Don't limit God's choices. He can use you if you trust Him. (Life Application Study Bible)

LET IT GO

Use us for Your kingdom work, Lord Jesus.

Thank You for life and breath today.

Help us see the needs of others so we can meet those needs.