Title: Happiness of Those Who Receive Grace
Contents
The happiness of those who have received grace (Luke 1:26-38)
An angel sent by God went to the virgin Mary of Nazareth and said, “Peace be with you, you who have been favored. The Lord is with you.” When Mary heard these words, she was startled, terrified and trembling, what happened? was doing Then the angel said, "Mary, who has found favor with God, will conceive and give birth to a son of the Most High, and you shall call her Jesus." And the child to be born will be a king who will rule forever, and it is a greeting that the kingdom will never end. Mary asks the angel how can this be, since she does not know a man. Then the angel said, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." What is God's grace to Mary? What kind of attitude did Mary, who received God's grace, show?
1. Mary's Grace
What is the meaning of God's grace to Mary? First, it is the grace of God's choice. It is a wonderful grace to have been chosen for a special purpose by God among so many Jewish women. Being chosen by God is a gift of God's grace and a spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3-5). Second, the blessing given to those who have received this grace is peace. The grace of choice for the wonderful and miraculous Messianic Covenant may be surprising and terrifying on the one hand, but God promises the blessing of peace. The peace that God gives cannot be compared with the peace the world gives (John 14:27). Third, the blessing of peace is because God is with you. The presence of God gives stability, confidence, and courage to those who fear. When we enjoy God's presence, we can be at peace in any environment. God helps us by being with us (Isaiah 43:10). The presence of God is Immanuel (Matthew 1:23), comfort (Matthew 28:20), and the secret to victory in ministry (Acts 10:38).
2. Messianic Covenant
God's Messianic covenant (savior) is the concrete evidence and practice of God's love for humanity. God's providence of mercy and wisdom to save mankind from sin is a remarkable event in sending his only begotten Son into the world. God's mysterious providence to deliver mankind from sin by sending His Holy One through the body of Mary, who received grace, is accomplished through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The person God will send is the fulfillment of the promise promised through the father of faith. The child to be born will inherit the throne of David, and the Messianic kingdom will last forever. God's plan of salvation is to save mankind who have left God and make them the kingdom and priests of God. This is God's promise to give true freedom and liberation of truth through Jesus Christ to humans who are enslaved in the kingdom of the world (the devil who has seized the power of the air) (Romans 8:2). For this purpose, God sent His Son into the world (1 John 3:8). This is the King of kings.
3. Mary's Attitude of Faith
Mary responds with faith to the will and word of God, which uses her in the wonderful work for the birth of the Son of God announced through the angel. When she realized the fact that it was witnessed through Elizabeth, Mary's relative, she showed obedience of faith by saying, "No word of God is impossible." This obedience of faith finally became the channel for the miracle of conceiving the Son of God. He lived the word of God and had movement (Hebrews 4:12). God's Word is God's own promise. The Word is spirit and life (John 6:63). Therefore, the attitude and attitude of our faith toward the Word is important. The birth of Jesus is the event that the Word became flesh (John 1:14). Here, the glory of God appears, and grace and truth abound. The work of life takes place in the heart that accepts the Word of God as a person (1 Peter 1:23). God's grace comes through the Word and is accomplished through those who believe and obey the Word.