Behold, I Am The Servant Of The Lord – Luke 1:38

Obediently, Mary accepted the will of God. Reading this verse I thought to myself, regardless of what has been said elsewhere in The Word, things spoken of and things expected, can you imagine the thoughts running through Mary’s mind at this time. There was an expectancy of the arrival of the Son of God. She was approached by the angel Gabriel, who was a Malakim, the closest looking to human beings, but there must have been a difference. She was perplexed by his words but not his arrival. The question that arose in my mind was, ‘Did he visually appear to be a normal person’. Since the fourth century angels have been depicted with wings to show their sublime nature. That is only to aid our visualisation, nothing else. Prophets had spoken of the oncoming arrival of the Son of God, to be born of a virgin, but it wasn’t known when, who or where. Thinking of myself, I know that if I was approached by someone (or an angel) saying those words, I wouldn’t have been calm; but maybe that’s just me. He must’ve had a certain vibe about him that made her feel as though she should be calm and could take him at his word. Unless, this was not the first instance of Mary having interaction with a celestial being.

My thought is, because she wasn’t moved by the fact that he was an angel, was she expecting him. For Mary to have been chosen to be the carrier of our Messiah she would have had to be pure, she would have communed with God and may have even had visions of this moment.

Spiritually, and at every other level, she was ready!

Whatever the reason, Mary was obedient to the task and she responded, ‘…may it be done according to your word’.

What is our Heavenly Father calling you to or asking of you today. The world today is celebrating the birth of The Messiah. We know it’s not the TRUE date when He came into a physical existence and we celebrate His presence and what He did 365/366 days of the year. However, today, as we spend time with loved ones, as we share presents, as we mend bridges, as we think and ponder on things and people lost, as we think about what the future holds; what is being asked of you? Our Mighty God sent His Son to die for YOU: that is how great His love is. What has He brought you through? I’m sure if even a little thought is given, you will realise how much there is. No matter what you’re going through today, He can make your crooked way straight; He can and will turn your despair into strength and joy; and He will bring you from the low place, elevated to The High.

He wants you to say today ‘May it be done according to Your Word’.

Saturday Morning Scripture (Wk51/2021) – Luke 2:1-20

Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

1 Now in those days a decree went out from [the emperor] [1]Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited world (the Roman Empire) should be [2]registered [in a census].

2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own city.

4 So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

5 in order to register with Mary, who was [3]betrothed to him, and was with child.

6 While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth,

7 and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [[4]swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a [5]manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.

8 In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened.

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for [6]all the people.

11 For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah).

12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”

15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger.

17 And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child,

18 and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them.

19 But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart.

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

Luke 2:1-20 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:1 Augustus, Rome’s first and possibly greatest emperor was born Gaius Octavius in 63 b.c. He was the great-nephew, adopted son and heir of the dictator, Julius Caesar. Under Augustus’ intelligent leadership (27 b.c.-a.d. 14) Rome entered the period of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.
  2. Luke 2:1 This was the first general census conducted outside Rome that included the people of the Roman provinces.
  3. Luke 2:5 See note 1:27.
  4. Luke 2:7 This was customary among the Jews, and quite comfortable and protective for the baby. Wrapping the baby in strips of cloth was intended to strengthen the back and bones for good growth.
  5. Luke 2:7 I.e. feeding trough for animals.
  6. Luke 2:10 I.e. Gentiles as well as Jews.

Friday Night Scripture (Wk51/2021) – Luke 1:46-55

The Magnificat

46 And Mary said,“My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord,

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48 “For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant; For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!

49 “For He who is mighty has done great things for me; And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory].

50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him.

51 “He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and exalted those who were humble.

53 “He has filled the hungry with good things; and sent the rich away empty-handed.

54 “He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy,

55 Just as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Luke 1:46-55 (AMP)