EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED

LUKE 1:26-38

In both of our texts from Luke we read that Zechariah and Mary were going about their daily routine just like any other day. But then the unexpected happened; an angel appeared and spoke to them. We read that Mary was "greatly troubled" and Zechariah was "startled and was gripped with fear". Now I do not know about you, but if an angel appeared to me, I think I would be paralyzed with fear. However, we really should not be afraid. The Greek word "Angelos" literally means "a messenger". We should not be afraid because angels are created by God to serve Him as messengers.

Now this was not just an ordinary angel that appeared to Mary and Zechariah. This was the archangel Gabriel. Gabriel said "I stand in the presence of God". Notice in both cases the angel said, "Do not be afraid". But more importantly than the words, "Do not be afraid" is the reason for not being afraid. To Zechariah, Gabriel said, "Your prayers have been heard." And to Mary, Gabriel said, "You who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Both of these messages are good news. They are words of encouragement, not words to be feared.

Earlier in Luke’s Gospel we know that Zechariah was a priest and that both he and his wife Elizabeth "were upright in the sight of God, observing all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly." But from Zechariah’s response to Gabriel we know that Zechariah was not expecting the unexpected. "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." God chose to intervene in the lives of His people. God chose to use these two ordinary people to accomplish His purpose.

What about us? Are we expecting the unexpected? We pray like Zechariah and Elizabeth, we serve the Lord like Zechariah, but do we really expect a miracle in our lives? Remember Elizabeth was barren and both Elizabeth and Zechariah were very old. The prayed for a miracle and when God answered their prayer they were surprised.

We know that Mary was a religious person but she was not expecting the unexpected. We know very little about Mary except for her name, that she was betrothed to Joseph, and that she was a virgin. The Jewish concept behind the term virgin in that day included any young unmarried woman of marriageable age. However, Luke further defines the meaning of the term. In our text we know the word virgin is a technical term because of Mary’s own words in verse 34. Why would Mary question a natural birth? Why would Gabriel explain that "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; so the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." (1:35). Why would Gabriel tell Mary that the one born will be called The Son of God? (1:35). Why would Mary be given a sign that Elizabeth who was old and barren was already 6 months into her pregnancy? Why would Gabriel end with the statement "For nothing is impossible with God." (1:37)

When Gabriel said, "You who are highly favored. The Lord is with you", Gabriel was not referring to Mary’s righteousness. Mary was "highly favored" because God chose her over all of the women throughout history to be the mother of Jesus, The Savior of the World.

Mary had not expected that God would use her to accomplish His plans. After all Mary was an ordinary person who came from a poor family. She lived in an obscure village in an obscure providence in Judea. But what about us? Do we really expect God to intervene in our lives and do we really expect God to use us?

Our scripture lesson for today contains several miracles and reminds us that our God is The God of Miracles. Our God does intervene in the lives of His people. Our God does use ordinary people like you and I to accomplish extraordinary tasks. "For nothing is impossible with God". What about us? Are we expecting the unexpected?

We need to notice that Mary did not try to weasel out of the job that God had chosen her to do. Mary did not argue that she was not qualified, or that she was real busy right now, or that this would really interfere with her plans. We have to be impressed by the fact that Mary did not ask for a detailed script to follow. Mary only asked for a clarification "How can this be since I am a virgin"? Mary was obedient.

The Annunciation challenges us to explore our fears and our apprehension when we receive a call by Almighty God to do a specific job. There is fear at first but when God calls us for any job He also assures us with "Do not be afraid" and "with me all things are possible."

Our God is The God of Miracles and the Christmas story is filled with miracles. In addition to all of the natural miracles, it is truly a miracle that God loves us so much that He would chose to come to earth in the form of a man to live among His people.

Luke challenges us to step back and take a realistic look at what God was asking Mary to do.

Think about it Mary was put in an extremely embarrassing and difficult position. Who would believe her when she told them that she had seen and talked to an angel? Mary had to face the fact that Joseph knew the child was not his. Mary would be accused of unfaithfulness and adultery an offense which was punishable by stoning. (Deu. 22:13-21) Mary faced the stigma of being an unwed mother and she had to face the realization that her family would disown her because of her condition. Mary was a young teenager, probably 13. Yet Mary willingly and graciously submitted herself to God’s will for her life.

This morning Luke is also challenging us to have the faith that Mary had; to be able to respond to God’s call to us today with "I am your servant. Use me."

This Christmas are we really expecting miracles? Are we really expecting God to intervene in our lives? Are we really expecting God to use us? Are we really expecting the unexpected? Our lesson from Ephesians assures us that God "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us." You see God has chosen to work His purpose through individuals like you and I.

You see if we are not careful we will romanticize the event of that first Christmas and we will miss the significance of the miracles of God working in the lives of His people as well as the miracle of God choosing to live in the hearts of people who accept His Son Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Did we really mean the words we just sang in O Little Town of Bethlehem …. "O Holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray, cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today."

This Christmas are you expecting the unexpected? This morning Luke challenges all of us to listen to God’s word, to believe it, to accept it, and to willingly act upon it.

And when we do we can be assured that God will greatly bless us and the love, the peace, and the joy of Jesus Christ will abide in us.

AMEN