Ahh, the New Testament - Jesus - God's grace revealed. It will be good to get out of the "judgement" books.
God honors faith. Zechariah, John the Baptist's father, was in the temple offering sacrifices when an angel suddenly appeared with him. The Bible says he was "overwhelmed with fear" - as I can imagine he was. So after the angel tells him that God has heard his prayer and he and his wife will have a son, what does he do? He questions the truth that was just told him.
18Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."
And look at the response:
19The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."
God is Holy - and if Gabriel stood in His presence I can imagine he was glorious to see. When Moses was with God up on the mountain for just a short time he came back and his face shone with the glory of God. What about an angel who stood in God's presence? We don't have angels come to speak to us in these days, but we do have God's word - so why do we doubt?
Next Gabriel went to Mary to tell her what was about to happen. He also told her of Elizabeth's pregnancy.
28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God."
And although Mary asked how she could have a baby since she was a virgin, it wasn't a question of unbelief, but of confusion. Once the angel explained, here was her response of faith:
38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
God honors faith. We see this over and over.
No comments:
Post a Comment