O Favored Ones!
Luke 1:26-38
12/18/2005 – Advent 4

† In the name of Jesus †

Grace and peace, from God our Father, and the living and reigning Lord Jesus Christ be yours!
Impossibilities
Moses to see God/Sinners to see God and live 33:19
Mary’s Pregnancy

There was a man, who was asked by God to do an impossible task. To work with a bunch of riotous troublemakers and complainers, who didn’t like to listen to anyone, and lead them into a relationship with God.

It was a task that had already been underway, and hitting several dead ends, when talking with God, the man said, God, you tell me I am favored, that I have found grace in your sight. I need to know that you are with me, with us, that the way we are going is your way.

In Exodus 33:18, Moses continues this discussion, asking God to let him see God, in His glory. God’s response is to let Moses see His glory pass by, but God tells Moses, He cannot see God’s face, for no man can see God’s face, and live. Even though Moses was the chosen leader of God’s people, even though God’s favor – according to God – was on him, it was still impossible for him to see God’s holiness, face to face. It was impossible.

There is another impossibility, seen in today’s Gospel reading. The impossibility of giving birth to the Son of God. The impossibility of giving birth, as Mary describes it, without knowing a man.

Both Mary and Moses have a lot in common. Both were asked to do an incredible thing for God. Both have names that begin with “M”. Most important, is that they are described as being found in God’s favor.

They are favored ones, the ones on whom God’s favor rests….

And for us this day, we can take great joy, great comfort, in the fact that we to, are God’s favored ones.
Distressed and Looking for Logic
How can I be favored/graced?
Recognizing the power of God
Israel’s reaction
I am constantly amazed by the reaction of people in the Bible to messengers of God. There is usually a tremendous fear, an anxiety that is based in realizing who we are, in view of who He is. I sometimes, when reading about Moses, or Abraham, or Daniel, or Mary, think I would not react in the same fear as they did. Yet, fact to face with God’s holiness, I think my reaction, could be no different.

Mary reaction to the Angel of God is that she is “troubled”. Look up the word in Greek, and you see it means “acutely distressed”. Think back to the days when you were in elementary school, and were called down to the principal’s office, knowing that you had been in some trouble that day at recess. Think about that long walk – down the hall – up the stairs, down the other hallway. Perhaps that is the closest thing I can compare of it.

Mary, our gospel reading says, tries to discern, she tries to see some kind of logic, some kind of reason, as to why this monstrous angel, named Gabriel – which means the Valiant on of the Lord, why this angel would be greeting her, as the favored one of God. It is beyond her comprehension.

To realize that you are in the presence of God, that His power surrounds you, is an awesome and yet frightening revelation. To this young lady, it is frightening, just as it was to the people of Israel during the time of Moses leadership. Indeed, just the reaction of seeing God’s glory, reflected in the face of Moses, caused them to ask Moses to hide that face behind a veil. They could not deal with even a reflection of the power of God… it was… to powerful.

Yet the angel says, Do not fear.. do not be afraid… take comfort in the Gospel, and then proceeds to note a whole bunch of things – that comforts us from the fear of realizing we are in the presence of God.
The Comfort of the Gospel
You are found in grace!
No need for fear – you are in grace!
Jesus – God Saves!
He – your savior reigns forever
You aren’t alone! (others in the same situation!)
God overshadowing….

The first thing that brings comfort is how Mary is addressed. When Mary first hears the angel’s greeting, the angel addresses her as a favored one. Then the angel will repeat it, telling her she has been found in God’s favor. That word is the same word for grace, for the incredible gift of God, given to those that receive them in faith. The incredible notion that God does not find us, as horrid ugly sinners, but because of Jesus, He sees us as washed clean of all that in our baptism. Mary does not need to fear the presence of God, for He has determined her to be in grace, and the same holds true for us!
This is due to the second point in which we find comfort. It would have been more apparent to Mary, or to someone familiar with the Hebrew language. The name, the incredible name of her Son, holds a promise firm within it. Jesus or Joshua in English, for they are the same, Iesou in Greek, Yeshua in Hebrew, has a very specific meaning. It means – GOD SAVES! He has saved, He is saving, He will save. It is the very nature of God, the very nature of His Son, to save His people. Think about that for a moment, for history bears it out – for God has always saved His people from their sins. Rescuing them from slavery that their sin entered them into, providing the temple – where they knew, according to 1 Kings 8 that they could confess their sins, and walk away – free from them! This is the name of Her Son, a promise for Mary and You, and I!

When the Angel tells Mary of Jesus’ taking the throne of David, the angel mention that Jesus will rule there – forever! That the one who is responsible for saving us, is in charge for all time, bring a level of comfort. It is not like Jesus takes sabbaticals, or vacations, or bathroom or lunch breaks. God is there, for us, hearing our prayers, and in wisdom, granting them’ looking out for us, guiding our steps, forgiving our sins.

One commentator saw another point of comfort, one I never realized before. He pointed out that because Mary had such an incredibly impossible miracle to trust in God for, the angel points out the miracle a cousin is experiencing! Another miracle, another outpouring of God, that cannot be denied! I have said before, one of the things that strengthens my own faith, is when I see that faith active in another Christian. When I consider the things that I know you all struggle with, and see God get you through them! That is one of the benefits of church, to know we are not alone in our faith, that the God that sustains Harold, or Steve, or Bette Ann, or a Bobbi and Connie, that faith is active in me as well! Mary knew her cousin was to experience a miraculous birth – and that could strengthen and comfort her, as she too required a miracle to give birth to Jesus! So too, in the church, do we find those who have the same needs, who have received the same grace, and found God’s strength to overcome the same temptations. We aren’t alone in the presence of God, but have those who have been here, much longer, those that can testify to us of His grace! What an incredible comfort!

The last comfort I see, is found in the Angel’s description of what shall happen to Mary, as the grace of God overshadows her. As I read that, I thought of Jesus’ words about Jerusalem, how He longed to take her under His wings, as a mother hen’s wings surround her chicks, protecting them and giving them comfort with her presence.

The kind of comfort we get, when God baptizes us, granting to us faith and repentance, and forgiveness; giving us the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit. This incredible comfort, that enables us, those who trust in God’s promise, to enter His presence!

Without fear of wrath, without fear of damnation, knowing that we are truly the ones who are favored of God. Not because we are special, any more than Mary or Moses was. But because God calls us, and those like us, to be His children!

The impossible – made possible
Mary gives birth !
2 Cor. 3: - We can see Him face to face

It is impossible, for a woman to give birth, without knowing a man. Yet, Mary gave birth to Jesus, and for us, grace and forgiveness became more than a promise, but a reality.

A grace that takes the other impossibility we started with, the impossibility of man seeing God’s glory, and not only makes it possible, but listen to these words from 2 Corinthians,

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, (we) are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

The veil that Moses had to wear, for the people couldn’t stand the reflection of God’s glory, no longer need the veil.

For the impossible has happened, the Son of God, was born a baby, that we, who were born babies, could become the adopted children of God. And see Him, face to face, and reflect His glory!

AMEN

May the peace of God, which is far beyond any comprehension, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. !AMEN!