July 6, 2010
are you prepared?
Luke 1:26-38
Jessica Ritter
Central Truth
The life of a Christian is a journey, and we must prepare for it.
Key Verse | Luke 1:38
And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38)
Luke 1:26-38
Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed 1 1:27 That is, legally pledged to be married 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!” 2 1:28 Some manuscripts add Blessed are you among women! 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And 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 bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to 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.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 3 1:34 Greek since I do not know a man
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born 4 1:35 Some manuscripts add of you will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant 5 1:38 Greek bondservant; also verse 48 of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Dive Deeper | Luke 1:26-38
As a teenage girl, I have a lot on my mind, such as school, sports, future education plans, my activities for the upcoming weekend, what movies are out, Shoreline (Watermark's high school ministry), and occasionally a cute boy or two (sorry, Dad). Giving birth to the Savior of the world isn't exactly on most teenage girls' to-do lists. However, that is exactly what Mary was told she was going to do. Now I don't know about the rest of you, but if an angel came to me today and said he wanted me to give birth to God's child, I would laugh and say, "Absolutely no!" I have always envisioned myself married and out of college before children came along. Mary's response was very different than what my own would be. She said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38, NIV)
As Christians, we are asked to live our lives for Christ daily, and that often requires us to do things we never dreamed of or desired to do. It is very hard to listen to the Lord's calling and respond automatically with a trusting and obedient heart. Students in high school study countless hours to prepare for tests to perform with excellence so they can attend the college of their choice. Once in college, they continue to study to prepare themselves for "real" life. We, as a body of believers, are also called to study and pursue Christ Jesus so that when we are called on by God, we will be able to perform with obedience and excellence and experience REAL life.
Discussion Questions
1. Has God ever asked you to do something you didn't want to do? How did you respond?
2. How are you preparing for the next time you are called on by the Lord to perform?
3. Do you have others around you spurring you on toward excellence?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How would you feel if you received the news that Mary did?
2. What were some of the questions that Mary asked? How did she respond to being told she would be the mother of Jesus (verse 38)?
3. How do you respond when God asks you to do something that is seemingly impossible? Do you believe that all things are possible with God (verse 37)?