REASONS MARY WAS HIGHLY FAVORED
Luke 1:34-38 NKJV
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Ironic that we are reading the Christmas story here a day after Easter. The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary with some exciting news. Mary was a young woman who found favor with God. In our verses for today, we can gather some clues as to why she was favored.
Mary did not doubt the angel’s words. Even though Gabriel’s words sounded far-fetched, Mary did not ask for a sign or express concern regarding the impossibility of a virgin giving birth. She simply asked the angel how she was going to have a baby, seeing she was a virgin. Gabriel’s answer did not appear to give too many details. Basically, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and you will have a baby. Sure. Absolutely. How many of us would have balked at this notion?
Gabriel did help Mary’s faith with the news that Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, was with child. And Elizabeth had been barren for years. I personally love Gabriel’s words. “This is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.” I love that Elizabeth was called barren, but with God, all things are possible. Elizabeth was never called barren again. Hearing about her relative’s miraculous pregnancy had to have encouraged Mary’s faith. Her very next words were powerful. Once again, Mary agreed with the angel when she declared herself to be the Lord’s servant. And then declared, “Let it be to me according to your word.”
Mary could have argued the point on the technicality of a virgin birth. She could have enquired about her soon-to-be husband and how he would respond. She could have mentioned the social pressure she would come under with a baby that appeared to be consummated before the wedding. Instead, she simply declared that God’s will be done in her life.
Mary had favor with God in part because she trusted God - good stuff for a young woman. She did much better than her uncle Zacharias, who was a priest, but still balked at the message of good news that he and Elizabeth were going to have a son. And they had been praying for a son. Mary was not praying to be the mother of the Messiah.
Mary was a God-fearing, God-believing, courageous class act. No wonder she was chosen to carry and raise the Lord Jesus!