26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
This promise to Mary about 2,000 years ago continues to bless us today, as the kingdom of Jesus, "Yeshua" -- which means Salvation -- will never end.
These words were spoken to a nobody woman. They were to fulfill prophecies by prophets centuries before. Then it spread to a child in Elizabeth’s womb, then Elizabeth. What nobodies! Then to three distant kings, but not to priests, scribes and rabbis. Now to us who are as lowly as Mary.
Obviously Mary was startled by the presence of the angel, however it seems like the greeting “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” was what really troubled her: Mary was greatly troubled at his words. I would assume Mary, probably in her teens was wondering how could she be favored by the Lord God Almighty. She was experiencing the grace, the undeserved favor of God and it made no sense to her. God's grace for each of us is truly amazing and may we never take the favor of God for granted.
Father God, in the prayer I prayed before reading your word I asked that "you give us humble, teachable, and obedient hearts." Thank you…
And the Spirit Himself has spoken things no less wondrous to those He brings to new birth!