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YOU WHO ARE HIGHLY FAVORED!

"The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’"

The main character of today’s passage is Mary, the mother of Jesus. As the title of this message suggests, this is about God’s favor. It is about God’s grace. Our Lord Jesus was born through Mary, a woman. Mary is the mother of Jesus. In Protestant churches, we do not recite, “Hail Mary, full of grace. Our Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” We do not sing “Ave Maria.” However, Mary the mother of Jesus deserves special honor. At least we learn to honor Jesus as the Bible presents. We are all from our mothers. We praise and thank God for sending our Lord Jesus, through Mary, the wonderful mother. In today’s passage, we think about: (1) God’s grace upon Mary, (2) God’s grace through the fellowship between Elizabeth and Mary, and (3) God’s grace expressed in Mary’s song.

First, “You are to give him the name Jesus” (26-38). The angel Gabriel visited Mary six months after Elizabeth was pregnant. Elizabeth was a very close relative of Mary. God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary (26b-27). Nazareth was a small village in Galilee. This is the late Dr. Samuel’s description of the town Nazareth and Mary: “Perhaps in the daytime one could hear the sweet song of the oriole crying among the trees. And at night, from across the hills, one could hear only the hoot of the owl. Young boys collected sticks and grass from the wooded hills for fire wood. Pretty girls went out to the fields to pick mulberry leaves. How happy they must have been when boys and girls met by chance!  They might have wished that they could meet each other again. And the boys might have talked a lot about girls they knew. Girls must have said something, too. In this remote town there was a girl named Mary.”

God’s grace is unexpected and undeserved. At this time Mary was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David. Joseph was a thoughtful, loving, and noble young man. It was obvious that she could not contain her joy with their beautiful dreams of the home she would have with Joseph. She was only waiting for the day she would marry quiet Joseph and the sweet home they would have together. At this time the last thing she needed was any form of interruption of her beautiful plan.

Look at verse 28: “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.’” The angel announced that Mary was highly favored.  Here, “favor” means “grace.” The word has the meaning of “beauty” and “love” which flows from above. God is King of all. God’s favor is the King’s favor. The King’s favor flows down to his subjects. Throughout history, many kings showed favor according to their feelings. For example, King Xerxes once highly favored the queen Vashti and Haman. But when they offended him even once, the king deposed queen Vashti and put Haman to death. Henry VIII loved Thomas More (1478-1535), the English Lord Chancellor. Later, when Thomas did not support the king’s plan to divorce his wife so as to marry another woman, Thomas quickly lost the king’s favor. He was put to death. Such is the way that human favor works. Favor in general is undeserved and unexpected; therefore it can be taken away at anytime. However, God’s favor is beautiful and wonderful. God’s favor lasts.

Look at verse 29: Mary was not gripped with fear at the angel’s appearance. Rather, she might have wondered, “What kind of things did I do that deserve God’s favor?  What does it mean that God is with me?”  How did the angel help Mary and her troubled heart?  The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” (30) The angel repeated the same message that Mary had found favor with God. Then the angel continued, “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (31)  This type of communication is quite annoying. God has already decided everything. Mary had no room to alter anything. Even the name of this baby was already decided. “Jesus” is the Greek form of Joshua which means “the LORD saves.”  The name Jesus affirms that the baby was to be the Savior of the world. (Mt 1:21)

God’s favor is for Christ and his kingdom. Look at verse 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. "And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."  This baby is the Son of God. Jesus is the King that God promised to David a long time ago. David's earthly kingdom did not last too long. But the kingdom of Jesus Christ lasts forever. This is what God planned. Yet, it was too much for Mary to bear. How could Mary grasp this eternal plan of God?  Certainly, she could not. Yet, the immediate task was how Mary, a virgin, was to be with child. Mary was not quite sure how she, a virgin, would bear such great God’s favor. Here, God’s favor upon Mary was to implement God’s great purpose—this is sending his Son into the world. God’s implementation of his purpose, therefore, can be intrusive and inconvenient for us. God called Mary for Jesus and his kingdom. For this God called her to accept this difficult task to be the mother of the Son of God. It was not for Mary’s benefits but for Christ and his kingdom. Here, we learn that God’s favor is about his calling. God calls his people. If this calling is related to Christ and his kingdom, it is meaningful and worthy.

God’s favor welcomes our personal engagement. Look at verses 34-35: “‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’” Mary focused on her responsibility. How will a virgin give birth to a son? She wanted to know how this can be done. Is it possible for us to ask questions?  It is not about expressing our unbelief saying that it must or cannot be done. Rather, it is to ask how this can be done.

God’s favor involves his mighty work for us to believe. The angel answered, “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.” (34-35) The grace of God is unexpected. Yet, the grace of God is not unprepared. God is involved in his grace—with the Holy Spirit and the power of God. God did not merely dictate to Mary to take care of all the details. Rather, God was involved in the details as well with the Holy Spirit and the power of God. Besides, the grace of God allows Mary to believe through a specific example around her. The angel said, “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.” Elizabeth was a relative to Mary. Mary had known about Elizabeth’s struggles over the years. Here, Mary was not merely conforming to God’s demand. She asked her question. She engaged herself with God. In this sense, God’s favor welcomes our personal engagement with God.
 
God’s favor makes all things possible. The angel declared, “Nothing is impossible with God!” This is the critical point the angel made. From a human point of view, a virgin would never bear a son. The angel urged Mary to trust God for the details. Nothing is impossible with God; therefore, all things are possible with God. This is such a wonderful description of God for us. In this world so many things seem impossible. We feel too inadequate and weak to dare to do something great. We are easily disappointed, depressed, and even crushed with a sense of helplessness. “There is nothing I can do!”  Sometimes we feel like giving up. But at this time we must come to God. We must plan and work with God. With God nothing is impossible. Because of this, we try again. We shake off our sense of despair and see God’s possibilities. It is good to work with people and get help from people. But work first and foremost with God. Seek his help. Pursue doors that God alone can open. Nothing is impossible with God.

God’s favor becomes effective with our willing consent. Look at verse 38:  “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’”  Mary could also make this decision of faith because she had a clear identity as God’s servant.  Mary was clear that she was first of all God’s servant. Then she was Joseph’s fiancee. At this time Mary had no particular title or position in Jewish religious hierarchy. Yet, Mary had high regard for herself. She was God’s servant first. Mary accepted God’s favor. She was willing to do her part. So she said, “Yes” to God. When we say “Yes” to God, it does not mean that we will do all. We do our part. As we willingly participate in God’s purpose, then God’s favor becomes effective in this world.
 
Second, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear”(39-45). This part is about Elizabeth and Mary who received God’s favor in different degrees. The one noticeable evidence of God’s favor is the clear presence of the Holy Spirit. Here, we see that God’s favor continues.

God’s favor allows us to find comfort and encouragement in the time of need. Look at verse 39-40: “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.” What did Mary do after the angel's departure?  She decided to see the work of God in the life of Elizabeth with her own eyes. Mary did not make things more complicated than necessary by talking with too many people. In order to make a good spiritual decision, Mary decided to visit God's servant, Elizabeth. She sought her counsel and blessings. So she hurried to Elizabeth's home. How wonderful it is to have a place to go and a person to visit in times of need. As we desire to do what is right for God, we also can find our “Elizabeth” around us.

God’s favor enables us to rejoice over other’s great blessing and success. Look at verses 42-45: “In a loud voice she exclaimed, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” (42-45) Elizabeth, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, welcomed Mary. She had no prior knowledge of what had happened to Mary. In the power of the Holy Spirit Elizabeth really blessed Mary, the mother of her Lord. Elizabeth genuinely loved Mary. When Elizabeth saw Mary, she was filled with the Holy Spirit. All of a sudden she had God's revelation about her baby and Mary's baby as well. Elizabeth blessed Mary, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!" She blessed Mary as the mother of Jesus. This is a great success for Mary. This is an exceedingly great blessing. How easy for us to become so envious and even jealous about others’ blessings and successes. But to be able to bless others is possible only by the grace of God. Elizabeth could say, "But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" She blessed Mary in regard to her decision of faith, saying: "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" As we open our heart to God, God widens our heart to rejoice with others’ blessings and their successes.

Here, we can see a model of a wonderful relationship between older and younger people. There was no hint of jealousy in Elizabeth toward Mary. She was happy for Mary. Older people rejoice with the success of the younger people. Senior Christian leaders are happy to see the prospect of greater potential of junior leaders. May God have such beautiful relationships between senior and junior leaders among us as well.

Third, “His mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation”(46-56). Here, God’s grace is understood and accepted. In response to Elizabeth, Mary sang a song of joy.

God’s grace lifts our spirit to see God’s glory. From verses 46-56 Mary’s song has two clear themes. One was her joy for God’s grace upon her life. Look at verses 46-49: “And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me─holy is his name.’”  Mary was full of joy seeing God’s grace upon her life. Elizabeth’s welcome and her words of blessings certainly moved her heart.

God’s grace enables us to see our blessed state even in a humble situation. Mary said, “for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” (47-49) This is about Mary, herself. She accepted God’s vision for her to become the mother of Jesus.  

God’s grace helps us to see God’s ways in all people. Now Mary praised God’s grace upon all people who love God. Some people may say, “Mary is Mary, but who am I that God should favor me?” According to Mary, God’s favor is not just once in a while. God’s favor is displayed throughout the ages. God blesses those who are humble. God’s mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation. God satisfies the needy with good things. In brief, God’s favor is still available to those who love and honor God. God’s favor is still with his people who fear God. God in his great mercy has interrupted the lives of many and drafted them as servants for his wonderful purpose. That’s why so many pastors, missionaries, Bible teachers and holy servants throughout the ages could proclaim Jesus as King of kings and build his eternal kingdom. This process of God’s call continues. That’s why the gospel is still being preached in many college campuses throughout the world.

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year because we celebrate the birth of Christ the King. At this time we think about the meaning of God’s grace. God’s grace is his undeserving favor for us and at the same time an unexpected responsibility and burden for us.
 
God’s grace is his calling for his mission in this world. As we accept this calling as fathers of faith and mothers of prayer, this requires devotion, sacrifice, and hard work. God’s calling does not necessarily mean mere burdens for us. God enables us through the power of the Holy Spirit. God makes our paths possible because nothing is impossible with God. God graciously provides some positive examples around us so that God’s work is possible. God’s grace brings older and young people together in happiness and joy. Most of all, God’s grace, understood and accepted, brings us such joy. We see our happy state even in such a humble state. We also open our eyes to the people in this world and people down through the generations. As we accept God’s grace, our perspective changes. Hope of God springs in our souls. We sing songs of joy. May the grace of God be with you during this Christmas season.

November 15, 2009; Dr. Paul Hong; Toledo UBF.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®;. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.