Confidently, Trust and Obey the Lord

William H. Banegas December 13, 2020

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Theme: Confidently, Trust and Obey the Lord.

Introduction:

In studying this passage, my initial intent was to try to get through the whole chapter, hence to verse 80. However, as I began studying, the Lord directed me to focusing on three truths from verses 26-38. Thus, the focus of our time today will concern those 13 verses.

I want to encourage you to read through the rest of the chapter, looking at Mary’s visit with Elizabeth, Mary’s song, the birth of John the Baptist and Zacharias’ subsequent prophecy. Notice the emphasis given to the Word of God throughout the remainder of the passage. Further, I want you to read Mary’s song in the context of her visit with Elizabeth. As you consider her song, I want for you to reflect on if there is an Old Testament precedent for such a rich, theological composition that originates with a woman.

Finally, as I’m going to emphasize the three points that the Lord has taught me, there are going to be some details of the passage that I’m not going to give as much attention to. So, I don’t want to give the impression that those details are unimportant as they serve a specific function within Luke’s purpose of accurately recording details. My goal is to encourage you to Confidently, Trust and Obey the Lord.

Let’s go ahead and read the whole of Luke 1:26-38.

As a bit of background information, it has been 6 months since Elizabeth conceived her’s and Zacharias’ son, John, in her womb (Luke 1:26, 36).

With the way that Holy Spirit inspired Luke to set the narrative before us, I believe that it demands we compare it with Zacharias’ encounter with Gabriel.

A Comparison and Contrast of Zacharias’ and Mary’s responses to Gabriel

Comparison

Notice the phrase, “Mary said to the angel” (Luke 1:34)

Except for referencing Mary by name, the statement is similar to Zacharias’ address Gabriel.

Hence, the Holy Spirit has emphasized this for our attention.

It’s like the Holy Spirit is using this phrase to get us to zero in on what follows to highlight important responses for our benefit.

Let’s consider additional elements of the setting

Both responses consist of two parts.

The question

Zacharias: “How will I know this for certain?” (Luke 1:18)

Mary: “How can this be,” (Luke 1:34)

The evidence to support their inquiry.

Zacharias: “For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” (Luke 1:18)

Mary: “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)

Additionally, both settings involve an angelic messenger delivering a message from the Lord.

Moreover, both messages consist of announcing a miraculous birth.

Contrast

The response of Zacharias

When we look at Zacharias’ question, what is he really asking for?

There are several questions that I cannot help but ask in reflecting on Zacharias’response.

Why would Zacharias call attention to the ages of both he and his wife?

Why do we not hear Zacharias call attention to Elizabeth’s barrenness?

We would expect Zacharias to echo Luke’s medical prognosis that Elizabeth was barren in addition to their ages since Luke is just recording the events as he has received them.

In other words, we would expect Zacharias to affirm that Elizabeth was barren, a problem that is larger than just their age.

But Zacharias does not do that and calls attention to their respective ages instead.

I believe that Gabriel’s response helps us to understand what would prompt such a response from Zacharias.

What does Gabriel indicate is the reason that Zacharias will be mute? (Luke 1:20)

“Because you did not believe my words” (Luke 1:20b)

What is one word that we can use to summarize Gabriel’s characterization of Zacharias? (unbelief, disbelief)

How does Zacharias’ response differ from most Israelites, even those before him?

It hardly differs!

According to God’s Word, disbelief comes with a high cost!

Let’s reflect on a couple of instances in which disbelief came with such a cost.

There was a whole generation of Israelites who did not get to enter the Promised Land because of disbelief and died in the wilderness.

Moses and Aaron were refused entry into the Promised Land because of the same when it came to the incident at Meribah (Num 20:12).

What we have is a representation of the people’s need for transformation.

You see, Zacharias as a priest represented the people to the Lord.

Here, Zacharias is acting no differently than his people have been acting towards the Lord since their inception as a nation.

Hence, Zacharias is demonstrating that not much has changed in the hearts of the people.

The people are in desperate need of transformation that can only be accomplished through the plan of God.

Gabriel’s response, however, demonstrates the graciousness of the Lord.

Zacharias is not immediately cut off from his people.

Nor is Zacharias stripped of his priestly service.

Instead, Zacharias is temporarily silenced.

We have a remarkable demonstration of the Lord’s grace in the face of unbelief

Others were punished for not receiving the full expectation of God’s promises.

Yet Zacharias was only made to be mute in demonstration of the Lord’s promises.

What are we meant to learn from Zacharias’ interaction with Gabriel?

When we focus on our circumstances only, we are tempted towards disbelief.

Instead, we must focus on the Word of the Lord to encourage our belief.

In the face of our unbelief, the Lord is ready to respond in grace.

The response of Mary

Notice how Mary’s characterization of her circumstances coincides with Luke’s description of her.

Luke uses a technical term to indicate that Mary has never been in a relationship where she could have children.

Luke also gives further background to emphasize that her present circumstances would have precluded a sexual relationship, even with her future husband.

Israelite betrothal considered the couple as already married.

However, the couple did not live together as husband and wife for at least a year.

Mary’s own characterization reinforces what Luke has already shared.

Mary does not use the technical term to describe her virginity as Luke has.

Instead, the phrase could be translated as “I am not knowing a man”.

In other words, Mary is emphatically calling attention to her virginity.

She is presently not in a relationship or circumstances that could lead to childbearing.

Thus, it is impossible for her to have a child according to natural, biological processes.

Hence, she’s calling attention to a known biological principle: virgins just don’t have babies!

Let’s consider how Gabriel responded to Mary.

First, Gabriel explained how a virgin was going to give birth: the Holy Spirit will produce the child.

Second, Gabriel referenced Elizabeth’s conception.

Third, Gabriel summarized both circumstances with the phrase, “Nothing will be impossible with God.”

Cumulatively, then, Gabriel has responded with the method of Mary’s conception and a piece of miraculous evidence that God can accomplish the impossible.

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

What does this statement really mean?

Comparing the terms ‘impossible’ and ‘God’ with the Greek translation of the Old Testament reveals some incredible findings.

Genesis 18:14

Let’s consider the context of Genesis 18:14.

The Lord has decided to visit Abraham and Sarah just before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Within the context of this visit, what announcement does the Lord make to Abraham?

Sarah is going to conceive Abraham’s child.

How does Sarah respond to this news?

She laughs

She denies her response when the Lord confronts her.

Let’s reflect on this context.

The Lord announces the miraculous birth of the child of promise to a couple who is beyond the years where it would be naturally expected that one could conceive a child.

Sound familiar?

Deuteronomy 17:8

Let’s consider the context.

The Lord has established the protocol to follow in difficult, criminal cases, specifically murder.

In the end, what were the people to do in the event that they faced a case where it was impossible for them to make a decision?

Seek the Lord

Why?

He is all-knowing

He is, thus, all wise

Let’s reflect on this context.

When it comes to making an important decision that seems impossible, the people were to seek the Lord.

This is on account of not only the fact that the Lord knows all things but is also all-wise.

Hence, the people were encouraged to seek the Lord’s wisdom in impossible decisions.

2 Chronicles 14:11

Asa, the 3rd king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah from which the North Kingdom had split off

Referenced as a king who did right before the Lord initially.

Nowhere is this more characterized than his battle with Zerah, the Ethiopian.

Consider the sizes of both armies.

Which army seemingly was going to win?

Asa’s confession highlights the impossibility of being able to win against this army without the Lord’s intervention.

Hence, in the face of an impossible fight, seek and trust the Lord for salvation.

What does it mean that nothing will be impossible with the Lord?

In the face of impossible circumstances, the Lord keeps His promises, He is wise above all, and He alone saves.

Application

The Lord keeps His promises, even when it goes against our natural expectations

When faced with impossible decisions, seek the Lord’s wisdom

When faced with imminent destruction, seek the Lord’s salvation

Service and Obedience (Luke 1:38)

Notice how Mary responds to Gabriel; how does she describe herself?

There’s another Biblical character who makes the same reference.

Turn to James 1:1

Who is this individual that makes this statement?

While this is speculation on my part, this might be evidence of parental influence from Mary.

What does it mean to be a servant/bondslave of the Lord?

Consider the adjoining phrase, “may it be done to me according to your word.”

What does this phrase mean?

She is looking for the accomplishment of the Lord’s will in her life.

Thus, in expressing that she wants the Lord’s will to be accomplished, she is also confessing her willingness to follow the Lord’s will in obedience.

In other words, Mary is willing to obey the Lord’s Word in what the Lord has called her to do.

In sum, being the servant/bondslave of the Lord means that we are willing to obey God’s Word in what He has called us to do.

Conclusion:

What have we seen?

We have seen the Word of the Lord come to two individuals concerning related topics

We have seen inquiries related to this Word

We have seen 2 different responses

1) disbelief

2) belief

The one response led to the gracious act of the Lord in silencing the one

The other response led to the confession of service and commitment to obedience

Here’s the question I’d like for each of us to consider as we interact with our families and friends: How can I promote a response of belief and obedience to the Word of the Lord in my life and in others?