Imagine all the emotions going through Mary’s heart and mind after being told by the angel Gabriel that she would be carrying and giving birth to God’s son! Then realize that, instead of worrying about being unmarried and the resulting stigma, she praised God, proving that He had made a good choice. Luke 1:47-50 (NET), “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior, because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.”
She knew God’s promises to Abraham and to all of Israel and recognized the fulfillment of these promises in the conception of God’s son on earth. Mary said, “He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever” Luke 1:54, 55 (NET).
God’s promise to Abraham was first given in Genesis 12:2, 3, “I will make of you a great nation…..in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” God re-affirmed His covenant in Genesis 22:17, 18 (NKJV), “…blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore…In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed…”
How will all mankind be blessed? Through the seed of Abraham. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father (life-giver), the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this,” Isaiah 9:6, 7 (Concordia Bible).
Mary rejoiced in God’s promises and praised God for His faithfulness.
