Sermon notes cont’d from Part 1
III THE MEANS BY WHICH THE WORK OF THE SAVIOUR WOULD BE SET IN MOTION.
- A natural question, v34.
- A supernatural solution, v35. It is clear that Mary accepted these words and believed them. There was no scorning laughter! Her work could only be done in the power of God by the Holy Ghost. The miracle of the virgin birth was no biological accident or anomaly. It was the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit to produce the corporeal substance of the Saviour. She would do this work in the shadow of God. Under His protection and in His presence.
- Evidence of a similar miracle. The virgin birth of Christ was certainly unique and yet there is a helpful precedent drawn to Mary’s notice. The experience of Elisabeth proved the possibility of what Gabriel was speaking of.
IV A SUBMISSIVE HEART.
- The timing. Gabriel’s words referred to events that were still future at this point, v31, etc. Cp 2:21.
- Mary submits to the revealed will of God for her life, v38. The word of God rules her life. Thy word—the message that had been carried to her from God Himself by His angelic messenger.
- A handmaid. She confesses herself the servant of God. She resigns her will entirely to Him! She recognizes that there is work required of her! Aside from the natural work of carrying a child, she would do the will of God against legal threats to her life, the opposition of the devil and the hostility of men. To be in her position as expecting a child but not yet married exposed her to the sentence of the law (Deut 22:21).
- Her submissive obedience was the means of God’s promise being fulfilled. The world has benefitted from Mary’s obedience. Every sinner ever saved is in some sense the fruit of Mary’s simple submission to the will of God for her life.