December 8: Using Ordinary People

In countries that have a reigning monarch, such as England, the people well know the difference between two classes of people, royalty and commoners.

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was ordinary, even common, but she was not a commoner. Both she and Joseph came from the royal line of King David. She was an ordinary person chosen for an uncommon mission.

Mary's extraordinary journey began with a mysterious greeting (vv. 26-29). The Bible begins her narrative with a specific time reference, "the sixth month." This ties the event to Elizabeth's conception of John. Intertwining the accounts of the two conceptions and births accentuates John's position as the forerunner of the Messiah.

Mary knew none of this fulfillment of prophecy when Gabriel suddenly accosted her with a strange but encouraging report. Other than alleging she was "highly favored," the greeting was nothing beyond a normal greeting at the time. By whom was she favored? She was understandably mystified at the odd language (v. 29).

The greeting to Mary was followed by a memorable message (vv. 30-33). Gabriel still did not identify himself to her, but his awareness of her thoughts encouraged her. He continued by saying she had found favor with God. That is, God had chosen her to be the bearer of a child. Zacharias had a similar message from Gabriel (vv. 13-14).

Gabriel's words probably bewildered Mary as much as they still astound us. She was to name Him Jesus, the Greek equivalent for Joshua meaning, "the Lord is Salvation." Matthew 1:21 adds the further clarification, "for He shall save his people from their sins." The angel then stated five characteristics of the Child and His ministry. That He should be called "great" refers to His unique being and nature. To be called the "Son of the Most High God" alludes to His deity. The message then shifts attention to the Child's impact in time and eternity because His sitting on the throne of his father David points to His human birth and lineage. His reign over the house of Jacob also set Him apart as the promised Messiah in Daniel 7: 13-14 and finds at least partial fulfillment in the church.

In regard to Mary's question about how she, a virgin, could conceive; Gabriel explained the birth would result from a miraculous conception (vv. 34-35, 38). Obviously, no sexual contact was to be involved. Instead, the Holy Spirit would "come upon" and "overshadow," that is, "empower" her. Beyond those words, we need not speculate. We pause to address a major difference in the way Baptists differ from Roman Catholics on a major idea. We believe the miraculous birth refers to the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary, not to a supposed immaculate conception of Mary in her mother's womb. The erroneous teaching alleges that Mary was born without a sin nature, thereby allowing Jesus to be born sinless.

Mary, a mid-teenager at the time, praised God with a magnificent hymn after a conversation with Elizabeth (vv. 46-49). The song is often called "the Magnificat," taken from the first word of the Latin translation. Some scholars see as many as 15 quotations and references from the Old Testament. In the first three verses, she voiced her praise for God's choice of her in her humble station in life. The Mighty One had done great things for her. Holy is His name. These references to Psalm 24:8 and 111:9 reveal something of her biblical understanding and spiritual depth.

She truly was blessed by God.