Luke 1
As we begin another Gospel, we need to remember that at this point in time God had not spoken to the Israelites for over 400 years. The last time He spoke to His people was recorded in the book of Malachi: “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction” (Malachi 4:5,6). This prophecy led to the Israelites waiting for this “Elijah” to appear and to restore their relationship with God. Luke 1 marks the appointed time when God resumes direct communication with the Israelites. He sends the angel Gabriel to speak to Zechariah and inform him that he will become a father to a son, who is to be named John. This begins the story of God’s final and complete revelation of Himself through His Son. But before Jesus can begin His earthly mission, God knows that the people are far from ready to meet their Messiah face to face. So He first sends Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, to “tell His people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins” (verse 77). John had a very specific and important job to do, which was similar to the prophets of the Old Testament. He prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ through preaching repentance and baptism for the remission of sins. After the people repented and were baptized, their hearts were “prepared” to understand and accept the message of Jesus.
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4 NIV
Each Gospel is unique. The four books are written in different styles, to different audiences, from different points of view, and with different emphases on certain aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry. Luke’s Gospel is the longest and most detailed of the four Gospels, and is the only one written by a Gentile (non-Jew). Luke was a physician and was a historian of the early church. Although he was not an eyewitness of Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection, he painstakingly researched and interviewed those who experienced the events firsthand.
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as He promised our ancestors.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. Luke 1:26-56 NIV
Mary is an excellent example of a true believer. She trusted God and accepted her role despite having to face humiliation, suffering and pain because of it. She is described as being: favored by God (v. 30), obedient (v. 38), faithful (v. 45), and worshipful (vv. 46-55). Despite all these positive qualities, we should remember that she was an ordinary young girl that God chose to help Him change the world forever. Mary’s initial response to the angel Gabriel is very human and expected: she was terrified and troubled! Despite her fear and the knowledge that this mission would lead to much difficulty for her, she never complained, and instead obediently accepted her role. The entire course of her life was changed, even though it was not something that she asked for. God simply stepped into her life and brought her into His service. Her faithful obedience is definitely something to model in our own lives. We should accept God’s plan for us, even if it is completely different from our goals in life, and even if it requires hard work or trouble. Even though Mary should be honored for her model of faithfulness and willingness to serve God, it does not mean she is to be worshiped. Luke’s description of Mary clearly humanizes her. This helps us to identify with her and to follow her example, without leading us to unduly exalt her.