City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

³⁴ Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

³⁵ And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. ³⁷ For with God nothing will be impossible.”

³⁸ Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:34-38 NKJV

Reflection

Mary’s question is one of practicality, “How can this be?” Gabriel’s answer is one of theological insight, wonder, and indescribable favor toward Mary. The “Holy Spirit will come upon” her, comforting and guiding as she raises this Divine Child. The “power of the Highest will overshadow” her, protecting her from any evils that thwart what God has in store. Repeating his earlier announcement, Gabriel continues, “the Holy One to be born [to you] will be called the Son of God.”

In other words, this small-town girl, Mary, is to hold the full, tri-focused attention of the Triune God – Spirit, Father, and Son.

Application

Mary was, in two words, blessed and favored. She was blessed with knowing the Triune God on a personal level, the protection of a divine Father, the intimate familial knowledge of the Son, and the comfort, guidance, and joy of the Holy Spirit. This was favor because this knowledge, this story, was being played out in secret, and she was in on it.

You too, are in on the secret. You too, are blessed and highly favored. We can have the same personal relationship with the Triune God that Mary had, but different – unique to us and our situation as it was to her. Because today the good news has been proclaimed, just as it was to Mary. Today, the Father overshadows us and protects us from all evil that will hinder His plans for us. Today, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, comforts and guides us as we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. And today, the Son of God, is our mediator, High Priest, King, and friend. We can know the Triune God, just as Mary did.

Prayer

Father, I am grateful for Your blessing and favor on me. May I be more aware of your power that overshadows me, more attentive to the direction of Your Spirit, and more aware and submissive to the mind and mission of Jesus. Amen