The Impossible is possible Christmas #3

The impossible is possible.

Luke 1:26-38

December 17, 2023

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I have a Rubix cube up here. I thought it was going to be a quick lesson this morning. I just need to get all the colors on the same square. Has anyone ever done one of these? I watched a video on this and the kid did two at the same time and he was like 8. I should be able to do one in a few minutes. You know what, this is impossible! How did that kid do this? Maybe if I peel the stickers off. Kids, would that be cheating?

You know what, this is dumb. This one must be defective, it’s impossible. Here Julien, you take it back, it’s broken.

Doing that Rubix cube reminded me about impossibilities. There are rules under heaven that should just not be broken. I am thinking about gravity, the sun coming up, and the oceans keep sending their waves. These are constants and should be expected every day. Another impossibility is a woman becoming pregnant spontaneously, by herself. That is a law that has not and should not be broken.

Today’s text is a record of a break in one of these laws. It has been argued and debated since Luke and Matthew recorded it. Skeptics would say, it couldn’t happen, it wouldn’t happen, it was an attempt to make Jesus something that He was not. It’s interesting, I have an old commentary set given to me by an old pastor from the 50s and 60’s. The author spent time giving the opposing argument that Joseph was actually Jesus’s physical father. I’ll tell you, I feel a little less smart after reading the opposing argument. It was 5 minutes I’ll never get back.

My question is this, in your life, is the impossible possible? Can, what is impossible for you and me, actually become possible in the hands of a creative, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-constant, all-truthful, all-just, all-sufficient, all-sovereign, all-present, all-wise, all good, all-loving, and perfectly Holy God? Is it possible for you? Last week we covered these attributes of God and because of these attributes, we have a front-row seat to His plan in action.

Over the last two weeks, we discussed from the Old Testament that Christ was going to come according to the perfect Word of God. We learned that He would come and fulfill 44 specific prophecies outlined for us in the pages of the prophets. Last week we talked about the why for Christmas. Although I never gave a specific why as we would expect, we found that God did this because of who He is. The why is found in His perfect attributes that I just reviewed for you.

Now, today we will look at the perfect plan in action. We get an opportunity to take a front-row seat and see the plan come together and most importantly, we see how we are supposed to respond to it.

To do this, let’s do a little overview of our text:

The location for the conversation from the angel Gabriel to Mary was Nazareth. At this time Nazareth was a backcountry town some 55 miles North of Jerusalem. It was the home of a large Roman garrison and the Jews that lived there were considered less than awesome. Later it is recorded by one of the disciples as “Can anything good come from Nazareth.” It was in the region of Galilee. It would be like saying, Melba is in Owyhee County. Galilee is a region and Nazareth is the town.

Possible pictures??

Now that we have the setting, we can get into what happened and why. In this backwater town, there was a young girl who was going to get the interaction of her life. Little did she know that it was going to the first of many great interactions. But, in this meeting, she receives a message that would shape her life and the life of the entire human race.

1. The message was sent.

I chose this specific wording because it fits perfectly with what we covered last week. For a message to be given, it must be given at a certain time, it must have a sender, a communicator, and finally, someone to receive it. All of this is found in our scripture reading today and we need to break it down.

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.[1]

The angel of the Lord comes in the sixth month. If we are not careful in our reading, we would assume that it was the 6thmonth of the Jewish calendar. Our sixth month is June but the Jewish sixth month would be February. That would imply that if Mary was to become pregnant right there, she would give birth in December and that is not what happened. When Luke records the “sixth month” it is referring to verse 36 where Luke records the angel saying that Elizabeth was six months pregnant. The sixth month in verse 26 refers to Elizabeth’s sixth month.

Now, let’s look at the messenger. “The angel Gabriel was sent from God”. This is so important to catch. The angel was “sent”. Or as the Greek would read, “commissioned” to go and give the message to Mary. God sends. God sent and God directs. The Angel or angelos is a “messenger” was nothing more than the mouthpiece of the Lord. He is a steward of God’s message and must never be the center of the message. I know that they are interesting, but angels are not devine! They are very much on the pay roll of God.

We know for a fact that the angel was on orders from God because of what he said. Any messenger from God will sound similar and be in line with this type of message.

1. Do not be afraid: almost every encounter with a messenger of God gets this type of response. Angels are NOT cupids that float around and are cute and cuddly. These are heavenly beings who have emotions, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Gabriel, the messenger angel, was sent and in every interaction in the Word of God, He starts with, Do not be afraid. Why? Because His presence would scare you to death.

Mary was in good company. Gabriel had come to Daniel in the OT, where his presence caused Daniel to fall on his face in terror and Zacharia, John the Baptist’s father announced John’s conception. Zacharia (who we will talk about later) was petrified. When Zacharia questions the message, Gabriel says, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God.” Now, Mary was right to be “greatly troubled” and afraid.

It is so important, what makes these beings terrifying is that they are FROM GOD. It is who God is that makes them who they are. NOT the other way around. To worship, to elevate them is an act of idolatry and they themselves will correct that behavior.

2. The message. You ever want to know if a message is from God? Just listen to the words. Look at what Gabriel says:

Vs 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”[2]

I looked up the word “greetings” and this would scare all of us. Imagine going about your business and a heavenly being shows up and says chairō “I rejoice exceedingly” The word “Greetings” is extremely joyful. Gabriel was excited to give this news and it would be like me say “HEY! I got Great news”! I bet Mary jumped out of her skin!

Vs 31: And behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, you shall call His name Jesus” (Isaiah 7:14)

Vs 32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” Isaiah 9:6 and Jer 23:5

Vs 32 “And the LORD God will give to Him the throne of His Father David.” Isaiah 9:7,

Vs 33 “and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom, there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:7; Dan 2:44; 7:14, 18, 27 and Rev 11:15)

In just three verses (31-33), Gabriel quotes or refers to no less than 10 OT prophecies. His message is a culmination and welcomes the actual event already proclaimed in God’s Word. You want to know if you are getting a message from God? If you are getting a message, IT will be in accordance to HIS Word. IT will NEVER under any circumstance violate God’s Word. If it does, it is a message from a cursed being. That includes advice!

Galatians 1:8

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

Okay, enough for now about the messenger. I want to spend the rest of our time on the one who got the message and what she did with it.

3. Who was the message sent to: Mary

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. [3]

Here are some key observations to understand about Mary. I want to make sure that we handle this as directly and as clearly as possible because a lot has been miss represented and frankly hijacked about Mary. So, let’s get some facts straight:

a. Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Think of an engagement that was required to last one year. It was as legally binding as being 100% married. So, when Joseph learned she was pregnant He had every right to have stoned according to Jewish Law. This was NOT something that was done. The fact that he NEEDED an angel to keep him engaged to her is totally understandable.

b. Mary WAS in fact a virgin as the scripture records. In Isaiah 7:14 it says “Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel”

The word virgin means a young girl. We are talking about a girl that may be as young as 13. We know that she is young because of the definition of the word “virgin” but also Jewish tradition for marring age. In both Isaiah and Luke, the word “virgin” is translated as “young girl, virgin or maiden”. But, before we think that she was not a virgin or that maybe Joseph was Jesus’s actual father, we need to keep in mind that we know for a fact that there was no sin in Christ. Paul ends this debate for sure in:

Romans 5:11

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”

So, virgin birth is 100% needed, mandatory, and exceptional. Sin passes through the father to the offspring of Adam. Does that mean that Mary and women are immune to sin? No! They all had fathers, INCLUDING Mary. It’s in our DNA. It is a Rubix cube to me, but to God, just another expression of His sovereign plan on display. Christ was borne without an Earthly Father as described by Luke. But, before we give too much credit to the virgin, let’s keep looking at Mary.

Luke 1:28 “And he came to her and said, “Greetings O favored one, the Lord is with you!”

c. Favored: The word “favored one” in vs 28 means: highly favored—a word only once used elsewhere (Eph 1:6, in the NASB: “Thou hast found favor with God.” The mistake of the latin Vulgate’s rendering, (the primary text for the Roman Catholic and the source of the KJV say “full of grace,”. That one miss representation of “favored” has been taken advantage of by Roman Catholic church. This is where Mary starts to become deified by the Catholic but it is not the right use of the words. In that Mary was NOT self-filled with grace. She was blessed with grace, just like you and I who are believers. The grace was a gift from the Father:

Eph 1:6 in the NASB says “to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved.”

Mary is definitely due honor however! But NOT as a co-savior, co-redeemer or co-equal. Meaning, that she is not the one who saves, redeems, pays for sins, or in any way should be worshiped or prayed to. The Word of God does not allow for that. Specifically, it teaches against it.

Isaiah 42:8

I am the Lord; that is my name;

my glory I give to no other,

nor my praise to carved idols. [4]

To pray to, worship or praise Mary makes her one who would share God’s Glory. And that is truly contrary to the WORD of God.

We are to pray to the One who is the true mediator, the Great High Priest and He is enough. To pray to Mary is saying that what Christ did on the cross is not enough. If we understand who He is, we do not need any more mediation. She is NOT a deity and to be perfectly clear, a sinner who was saved by grace like you or me.

To my Catholic friends, please know I would love to talk with you after if you would like.

But, to be very clear, she is worthy of our honor, admonition, and appreciation. She was an amazing young lady, and we must look at why.

2. The response was right.

Luke 1:34 “And Mary said to the angel, how will this be, since I am a virgin.”

Remember, Gabriel, just a few short months earlier, had delivered an important message to John the Baptist’s father, Zacharia. The exchange was NOT the same. Although Zacharia was “a righteous man”, his response to the message was not a success. Gabriel had just given a great speech about how great John the Baptist would be, when it would happen and how important he would be. Then, Zacharia said:

Luke 1:18-20:

“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.[5]

1. How shall I know this: When Zacharia said “how shall I know” he is in good company. His ancestor Abraham and Sara said the same thing. It was an expression of not just doubt, but laughing at the message. The exact words and expression were used in Gen 15:8 and 17:17. Zacharia’s doubt was on full display and that got Gabriel’s response.

2. Gabriel responded to Zacharia by saying: “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God…” Gabriel said, “I literally stand in front of God as His attendant and you question this message?”

Now, let’s contrast that to the 13 year old girl in our text.

Vs 34: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” [6]

It is so important to see the tone here.

Analogy of when my son asked how when he was little vs when he is a teen and questions everything.

This was a child asking not “prove it to me” rather, can you show me how? It was from a tender, humble and willing heart that the words came from her lips. We know this for sure because of how Gabriel responds. He did not rebuke her, punish her or direct her as he did to Zacharia. Rather, instead, he provides clear details as to how.

Maybe you have been asking God for some detail on your life from a heart like Zacharia verses Mary. God repeatedly says that he resists the heart of the proud and yet welcomes the heart of the humble so don’t be surprised that your answers on rebuke, correction or just plain being ignored. I personally exercise all of these mechanisms for my children when their hearts are not right. How much more does our heavenly Father chasten, correct, and direct His children?

Gabriel says “35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you[7]

The word “overshadow” or epi kaizo means a very tender envelope in the Greek. Tenderly yet effectively, Mary would become pregnant by the Spirit of God. To this, Mary’s response is epic and the main example for our lives today. We as a church must apply this approach in our daily lives. There is a direct application to you and me today on how we handle the message of God. The message can be received like Zacharia or like Mary.

3. Commit to the possible.

Vs “And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. [8]”

Church, this along with next week’s sermon is why Mary is so special. She is not divine, but her heart and willingness to be “the servant of the LORD” is why she deserves to be studied. She is an example for each believer throughout all generations of how to humbly be used by the Most High.

The word “servant” there is actually in other translations “bond servant” or doule meaning female slave. This not like the typical Jewish servant that would have rights as a human. No, Mary is saying she was recognizing that she was the lowest of low slaves. By using “doule” she is recognizing and releasing any rights to any part of this plan KNOWING the cost of such a commitment. Just by using the word “doule” it also further proves she recognized she had NOTHING to do with her selection as the mother of the Christ.

Her use of that phrase showed that she was all in, no hesitation and had complete understanding that what was in store for her was not going to be easy.

· Her father was required to protect Mary from getting pregnant and provide a virgin to Joseph. He would be the shame of the town.

· Mary would considered an adulterous because it was the time of the betrothal, (punishable by death).

· Mary would be the shame of not just her family but her extended family as well.

Remember when we talked about the woman of the well? Now, imagine being a 13 year old girl and having to deal with that level of shame, burden and misery. Ladies imagine for one minute being that young and having to deal with the other women who would shame you. Guys, we are not off the hook. Imagine the greatest shame you heep on yourselves and then go about your day like that for the REST of your life.

Do you think that this was a flippant comment by Mary to say, I am your servant? No, she absolutely was committing to a new life, one marked with suspicions, judgment, ridicule, and isolation. What she was committing to was not a simple task.

Put yourself in her shoes, yea, it’s an angel, yea it’s a great message, but would you sign on for this life altering message? Would you say, I am forfeiting my rights to this message and whatever God wants, I’m all in? She didn’t just say, I’m in, she issued what some would say as the most powerful words a human could say.

God's grace is effectual. Notice that this is not presented to Mary as an option or question "would you"? When God calls someone, He (Himself) will provide the means and the way to His desired result.

Mary says “let it be to me according to your word.[9]”

Church, the rendering for these words and the tone of her speech is this. “Not my will LORD but may Your will be done.” Without putting Mary too high on a pedestal, remembering that she is still a sinner saved by grace, her words are similar to the words of someone else just 33 years later in a garden would say. As Christ enters the world on “Not my will but Your will be done” He leaves the world before His crucifixion with “Not My will be done, but Your will be done.” The will of the Father is the utmost importance to the humble in heart. This is why, God says,

James 4:6

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.[10]

Remember what I said about God GIVING grace to Mary. See where this grace comes from. God granted this grace to Mary to see the impossible become possible. The result of her response is where we can see our application today and what I want to leave us with.

Julien did the Rubix cube in just minutes. I still hold that it is 100% impossible, for me. But does that make it impossible for the owner of the that little cube of frustration? How possible is a virgin birth and the redemption of the lost to the owner of the globe? I want all of us to know this truth and know it well. When we are willing to submit to the will of the sovereign LORD of the universe, the impossible becomes the reality.

This is how we come to a conclusion of our text. Mary responded in perfect obedience to the message of the coming Messiah. Do you realize that she was not JUST obediently accepting the birth of the savior of the world. She (just like her ancestry Eve, was looking forward to this new life in her belly would be her salvation as well. “The seed of the woman would crush the ehad of the serpent.”.This message by the angel Gabriel came with it the weight of the world.

Now, God is not asking or telling you to be Mary. But, He is telling you, like Mary, to respond in humble obedience to the message of salvation. Like Mary, you can humble your heart and recognize that it was NOT you that makes you inherently special. It is God in you that makes you a child of the Most High. Obediently it is you that can say, “Your will be done in me.” I am telling you, humble your heart and recognize the salvation of the world. Humble your self and allow Him ownership of your life and you will see Him make the impossible possible.

THE UNBELIEVERS ASIDE:

Maybe you’re here today and you don’t believe this event at all. You would say it’s a story thousands of years ago in a distant land. Okay, that still does not change the fact that you have a nagging thing in your heart called sin. You are aware that you are not perfect and there is in fact a God who is perfect. How then does a wretch who is sin and who is rebellion get from where you are to where He is? I’ll let you know, your sin has caused great distance between Him and you. He recognized it and did something for you.

I have covered this before and want it know the process of salvation that applies to you, me and even Mary. Just like Mary, we are saved by God’s Grace alone. The Bible says that we were “conceived in sin” meaning BEFORE birth we are sin. No one is innocent from birth, not even that beautiful baby we dedicated. But, God, being rich in mercy, sent His son FULL of Grace to sinners like us as a payment of that debt we have in our sin. God, knowing that we could not bridge the gap caused by our sin, sent His son, born to an obedient virgin named Mary to redeem the lost souls in this room. Now, the Word of God says, to confess that Christ is Lord and you will be saved.

Maybe today is your day. Maybe, just maybe, Christ is calling you by name to the foot of the cross. The cross that He stretched out His arms to pay for your sin is the very cross that saves you. Now, confess that He is Lord and be set free from the cost of your sins.

CONCLUSION

What we see as absolutely impossible, God makes it possible. How does a virgin child have a baby? Through the work of God. How does a sinner like you and me come to a Holy God, through that same baby? Now, obediently commit every aspect, and every plan to the Lord and He will take the impossible and make it very much possible.