Grace and Peace
Scripture Readings:
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”
34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?”
35 The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon 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. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
Colossians 1:2b
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Commentary:
Grace and Peace (Dallas White)
Much like her relative Zechariah, Mary’s response the angel’s appearance was fear. Of course, as we established in one of our earlier readings, this makes sense; God had been silent for some 400 years. And yet, into the silence He speaks to this young woman, through a messenger, saying, “you have found favor with God.”
That word favor is the Greek word charis which is most-often translated as grace. In this moment, Mary was experiencing what Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection would make available to us: the unfathomable grace of God. Mary couldn’t understand it and many times, we can’t either. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is our Helper. He is the distributor of God’s grace; the seal of our Father’s favor.
We can’t earn it or achieve it, but, thankfully, nothing is impossible with God! Grace is a God’s gift to us. And with it, comes peace. Perfect peace rooted in perfect love which expels all fear.
Mary’s surrender made it possible for her to receive this gift of grace. In the same way, you and I must surrender if we are to experience the favor of the Father.
Prayer & Reflection:
Father, I surrender my life to you today. Would you reveal any part of my heart that I’ve not made available to you? I want you to have all of me. Thank you for giving me the gift of grace. I could never earn it or achieve it, and yet, in your love, you’ve granted it freely to all who come in faith through your Son. In Jesus name, fill me with your Spirit today so I can flee fear and walk in the abundance of your favor!