Wisdom Wednesday :Wisdom in the Annunciation
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
[Editor’s note: Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all my readers during this joyful season. In addition to my father’s Wisdom Wednesday posts, I’m writing to let you know that I am unsure whether I will start blogging again until sometime after the New Year. With that being said, I would like to extend my wishes for a joyous new year celebration spent with loved ones. I am very sorry that I have not been diligent in keeping up with the monthly newsletter updates. I have been putting in a lot of hard work in order to ensure the publishing deadline is met, and much more.
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26–28) NASB 95
The “annunciation” (or proclamation) refers in Christian history to the announcement made by the archangel Gabriel to Mary that she would conceive and bear a son through a virgin birth and become the mother of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer.
The account of this event, the most amazing birth announcement of all Creation, is described in the gospel of Luke 1:26-38. Luke was the gospel historian, and this amazing event is only reported in his Gospel. He reported:
- As the angel Gabriel greeted Mary with “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you”, Mary was stunned and confused. vv. 28-29),
- Gabriel proceeded to assure to not be afraid, and that she had found favor with God to receive His grace and that she will conceive and give birth to a son, whom she will name Jesus. (vv. 30-31)
- Gabriel then proceeded to tell Mary the following things about this son, Jesus:
- Jesus will be great (v. 32a)
- Jesus will be called to Son of the Most High (Hebrew ‘elyôn) – The Son of Yahweh! (v. 32b)
- The Lord God will give to His Son, Jesus, the throne of King David. (Jesus was of the lineage of David, His ancestor.
- Jesus will reign over a kingdom that has no end. (God had said, In David’s time that his throne would last forever – 2 Sam 7:16; Psalm 89: 28-29.) (v. 33)
- Mary certainly understood this to be referring to the promised Messiah. But in her state of perplexity, she focused on the practical issue and asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (v. 34)
- Gabriel explained that she will conceive miraculously by God’s Spirit and by the overshadowing power of Yahweh. Because of this means of conception, Jesus will be a holy child and called “the Son of God” (v. 35)
- Gabriel further explained that her relative Elizabeth would give birth to John the Baptist and these miracles are because “…nothing will be impossible with God.” (vv. 36-37)
- Mary’s response was submission – “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (v.38)
John, the theological gospel author did not record the annunciation event, but gave the meaning and significance of the astounding event:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. … And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, 14)
John further emphasized the significance of each person’s response to the Light: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12). This is our call to wisdom – to receive Jesus, the Son of the Most High God.