Introduction: How well have you studied the CHRISTmas account in the Bible? Take a minute and see if you can answer these questions.
1.Who said the following?
“37For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
If you answered the angel Gabriel you are correct. (Luke 1:26f)
“26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
God dispatched one of His messengers to declare His redemption plan for sinful man.
2. Who was told this?
A virgin named Mary. (Luke 1:27)
27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Why did God choose Mary? Although she was a sinner like everyone else, she found FAVOR with the Lord.
3. What was the response to this news?
“4Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:33f)
Needless to say, Mary was shocked. She knew enough to know that in order to have a baby something must happen in the joining of the reproductive system of a man and a woman, which she had never experienced. However, this was a SUPERNATURAL experience between her and the Holy Ghost! It never had happened before and it hasn’t happened since that occasion. It was a God thing!
4. What did the angel say in response to Mary’s surprise?
“37For with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)
The impossible becomes the possible because we serve a God of the impossibility.
4. Then after she was told how did she respond?
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38)
I love Mary’s FAITH response, “…be it unto me according to thy word.”
She believed and received! Remember. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).
Conclusion: Did you get all the answers right? If so very good. If not, now you know. Our Lord is true to His Word. He will fulfill it! We can trust Him.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
