Advent Journey: December 20th

© Michael Livesay-Wright

Questions and Reflections

QUESTION: Why did the angel cause fear?

It was pretty common for an angel’s appearance to cause fear. We don’t know exactly what Gabriel looked like, but some of the imagery from the Bible involving angels is definitely intimidating. It’s pretty common for an angel’s first words to be “fear not.” But the other reasons is likely that angels, since they are the messenger’s of God were often feared because of human sinfulness. If you are an imperfect human (which we all are) and the God of the universe sent an angel as a messenger to you, it’s likely the first thought would be “What did I do?” We don’t now that this was Mary’s first thought but we do know that when the angel greeted her with, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28, ESV) Mary’s response was, “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be” (Luke 1:29, ESV). She had no idea what this was about and probably wondered what in the world this angel meant by her being “highly favored.”

QUESTION: Why was she highly favored?

The coming of the Messiah had been foretold for centuries. It was believed that He would save God’s people from their sins and rule as a king. It would have been an incredible honor for a woman to get to be the mother of this savior. Mary is even more amazed by this as there seems to be nothing special about this. But God had planned for this moment since the beginning of time. God had chosen Mary because she was of the line of David and God had promised that David’s line would be preserved forever (though few could have predicted this is how his kingship would be made eternal). But beyond that, there was nothing remarkable about Mary. In fact, she herself references that she is humble, saying that God “has been mindful of the humble state of his servant” (Luke 1:28, ESV). She goes on to praise God because, “From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me” (Luke 1:29, ESV). She is going to get to play a part in God’s story of bringing hope and salvation to all people. And that is a huge and a humbling thing!

QUESTION: What does the “Son of the Most High” mean?

The Son of the Most High means the Son of God. But this is a confusing statement. Because the baby that Mary will give birth to will be fully God. So how can He be both God and the Son of God? And how did God have a Son? This title has so many levels of meaning. First, all humans have been called the children of God because they are image bearers of God. So, in that way, since Jesus is the perfect embodiment of that image (“For in him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” Colossians 2:9, KJV), He is also a child of God. But He is more than human. So His title of “Son of God” is more particular. He is not the literal child of God. In fact, He has always existed with God and in God. John 1:1, referring to Jesus as the Word says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (ESV). So this baby that would exist in Mary’s womb is fully God and eternal. But this is the first time He will take on human flesh. Some argue that “Son of God” means “possessing the nature of” (https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_220.cfm). The mystery of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) is far too lofty for me to explain here and now. But it is enough to note that Jesus here is God’s very nature made perfect in a fully human form. And this is what makes him the perfect sin substitute for us. This is what will save us. This is our living hope!