The Announcement of Hope
Luke 1:26-33 (NASB 2020 edition)
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.
REFLECTION
The angel, Gabriel, visits virgin Mary at Nazareth with a divine message of God’s favour and presence upon her and a prophecy of the birth of the Son of the Most High through her womb by the ascend of the Holy Spirit and power of the Most High. Upon her disbelief and wonder on the process, and her status being virgin, the angel brings this announcement of hope that is going to be fulfilled through her life by the power of the Most High. The angel says that God would be given the throne of His (the Son’s) ancestor, king David, and He would reign over the descendants of Jacob, and His kingdom would never come to an end.
This event takes place as the fulfillment of the prophecies given in the Old Testament. The prophecy of God in Isaiah 7:14 about a virgin conceiving and bearing a son whose name would be Immanuel. It also fulfills the promise given to King David in 2 Samuel 7 that his own flesh and blood would succeed his kingdom who will reign forever (Isaiah 9:9-7). It is also the fulfillment of God’s promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 to bless every nation (Galatians 3:29).
Hence, this visitation of the angel to Mary at His destined time is the fulfillment of Gods divine plan for the salvation of man, and reconciliation of man with God (John 1:14, Galatians 4:4, Ephesians 1:4-10, 2 Corinthians 5:18, Philippians 2:6-8, John 3:16).
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the fulfillment of Your promises through the angel’s message to Mary, revealing the coming of Jesus, the eternal King and our Savior. As Mary surrendered to Your will, may we also trust in Your plans and yield to the work of Your Spirit in our lives. Help us to carry Christ within us and proclaim His unending kingdom with faith and joy. In His holy name, we pray. Amen.
Written by the Milan Rijal is a NAMS Companion from Nepal, living and studying in Canada.
