Mary

August 27

Luke 1:26-38

A heavenly visitor

During the time that Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth was expecting her child, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, a young woman engaged to Joseph. Joseph was a descendant of King David.

Gabriel said to Mary, “Peace be on you. The Lord is with you and has chosen to bless you.” Mary was troubled by the angel’s words and wondered what he meant.

“Do not be afraid, Mary,” the angel said. “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”

“But how can this be?” Mary asked. “I am not even married yet.”

“The Holy Spirit will come on you and the power of God will be over you like a shadow,” Gabriel replied.

“I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be as you have said,” Mary answered.

Could Jesus have come to earth at any other time in history?

God chose a specific time in history to send Jesus to earth. There are many reasons why that time was the best time for Jesus to be born on earth. The Bible says; “When the time was right, God sent His Son…” (Galatians 4:4).

All who put their faith in Jesus have eternal life because Jesus took their guilt and punishment on Himself when He died on the cross.

Those who lived in Old Testament times (before Jesus came to earth) had to offer an animal sacrifice for their sins. Although that sacrifice could not take away their sin, it was an act of faith in the perfect Sacrifice—Jesus, who was to come. In this way, even the Old Testament people were saved by their faith (in Jesus).

Verse for today

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1 Peter 1:20