The Lord is Come - Luke 1:26-38

Introduction: We find ourselves today in one of the most beautiful and profound moments in Scripture—when the angel Gabriel visits Mary with an announcement that would change history forever. This passage reveals God's divine intervention and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In this encounter, we see that God does not act according to human expectations but chooses the humble and the unlikely to accomplish His greatest work.

Today, I want us to reflect on the words, "The Lord is Come," In those words we are reminded that the arrival of Christ is not just a historical event but a present reality that transforms our lives today. My life and your life have been changed by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The angel's message to Mary offers five practical lessons for us to consider as we live in the light that “The Lord has Come.”

1. God’s Plans Are Bigger Than Our Understanding – 1:26-29

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

We read in verse 26, that Gabriel appeared to Mary, a young woman from an insignificant town. Mary is troubled and confused by the angel’s greeting, much like we might be when God interrupts our lives with His plans. God’s plans often surpass our ability to understand, and like Mary, we might wonder,

“How can this be?” (v. 34).

You and I are called to trust that God is working even when we don’t fully understand His purpose. His plans may seem daunting or confusing, but they are always for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). When God calls us to something greater, instead of shrinking back in fear, we should lean into His promises.

Mary responded to this divine encounter with the following words,

“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38).

2. God Chooses the Humble – 1:30-31

30Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.

In this passage, Mary is described as "highly favored," (v. 30) yet she is not of noble birth or high status. She’s an ordinary person, chosen for an extraordinary task. God delights in choosing the humble, the overlooked, and the seemingly unqualified to fulfill His purposes.

Here is what the Apostle Paul penned about God’s choices,

1 Corinthians 1:27 - But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

You and I should never doubt our ability to be used by God based on our background, education, or status. Humility positions us to receive God’s grace (James 4:6). When we humble ourselves, acknowledging our limitations, we make room for God to do extraordinary things through us.

Mary saw herself as a humble maidservant.

3. God's Promises Are Sure – 1:32-33

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

God never breaks His promises – Never!His promises are backed by the Bank of Heaven.

Gabriel declares that Mary's son will be "great" (v. 32) and will be called "the Son of the Most High" (v. 32). He will reign over a kingdom that will never end (v. 33). This is a powerful reminder that when God speaks, His promises are sure. What He says will come to pass, even if it seems impossible from a human perspective.

My friends, there is coming a DAY when Jesus Christ will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Therefore, stand on God’s promises with confidence. Just as God fulfilled His promise to send a Savior through Mary, He will fulfill His promises in our lives. When God makes a promise, no circumstance can prevent it from coming to fruition. We should regularly study and meditate on His Word, where His promises are revealed to us.

As I thought about God’s promises I went and did some research and discovered that the number of promises in the Bible varies depending on the source, but some estimates range from 3,000 to 30,000. One estimate is that the Bible contains 8,810 promises, which are categorized as follows:

7,487 promises made by God to man. 290 promises made by man to God. 28 promises made by angels. 9 promises made by Satan. 2 promises made by an evil spirit. 2 promises made by God the Father to God the Son. 1 promise made by a man to an angel.

Some say that God makes these promises to teach people to trust him. Some of the promises include freedom from addictions, deliverance from sin and evil, financial provision, and good health.

The point I want to make is that God’s promises are trustworthy!

4. God Makes the Impossible Possible – 1:34-37

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Look at Mary’s question in verse 34,

“How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Her question is met with Gabriel’s assurance:

“Nothing will be impossible with God”(v. 37).

The conception of Jesus is a miraculous event, and it highlights God’s power to work in ways that defy human logic.

May we never limit God based on our circumstances or limitations. Whether it’s healing, provision, restoration, or guidance, we serve a God who specializes in making the impossible possible. When we face situations that seem insurmountable, we can pray with the assurance that God can and will intervene according to His will.

5. Our Response Should Be Surrender – 1:38

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

After Mary hears Gabriel’s message, she responds with profound faith and humility,

“Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.”

Do you remember in the Wizard of Oz when Dorthy clicks her heels together and says, “There is no place like home, there is no place like home?” Well, in my sanctified imagination I picture Mary clicking her heels together saying, “There is no better place than being in God’s Will, there is no better place than being in God’s will.”

Mary’s willingness to submit to God’s plan, even when it was difficult and uncertain, sets an example for all of us.

Our response to God’s calling in our lives should be one of surrender and obedience. We may not understand everything, and we may face challenges, but when we say “yes” to God, we open the door for Him to do incredible things in and through us. We must continually place our lives in God’s hands, trusting Him to guide us.

Conclusion: "The Lord is Come" is more than a declaration of Christ's birth; it is a call to live in the reality of His presence today. Just as Mary encountered God in a profound way, we, too, are invited to experience His transformative power in our lives.

Let us remember these five practical points as we go forth:

1. Trust in God’s bigger plan.

2. Embrace humility and be available for God’s use.

3. Stand firm on God’s promises.

4. Believe in God’s ability to do the impossible.

5. Respond in surrender and obedience.

As we live with the assurance that Christ has come and is coming again, may we continually offer our lives to Him in faith, trusting in His sovereign plan. The Lord is come—let us rejoice and walk in His grace!