Eternal Destiny Cloaked in an Unplanned Pregnancy

The village girl who had no worldly aspirations was chosen to be the earthly mother of a Heavenly Son. Her dream was to marry a common craftsman and fill his quiver with arrows called children. She saw not much more in her future than drawing water at a village well and baking flat bread. The faithful tasks of a wife and mother for the care of her family was her hope. She dreamed of moments of joy and fulfillment scattered among the mundane. This was her only view over the horizon.

I can imagine a day when she awoke early to a village rooster crowing. She began her day by splashing a little water on her sleep-filled eyes. She kissed her father and mother on the cheek the same as she had done all of her life. Today was just another day as she went to fetch a little firewood on the hillside near their home.

She grabbed a piece of home-woven rope to secure the bundle of wood. Then with a happy heart she scurried up the hill to find long-since dead and dry wood. Her only hope for the day was to spend a little quiet time alone. A little reprieve from her mother’s orders and her siblings’ whining. With a carefree spirit she was casually gathering wood stopping to gaze at a bird gathering sticks for a nest.

She compared herself to the little bird. The bird was building a nest and soon she would be also. She was engaged to Joseph the son of Jacob who was a carpenter/stone mason. Her contact with him had been little because the two families had arranged the marriage. She knew he had the reputation as a good man and a hard worker. Mary fully expected their life to be like all the other families. She was content with the meager prospects her life would bring.

As she rounded one small boulder, she was startled by a terrible sight. It was a man, maybe! But not an ordinary man. He had the awesome aura of the likes she had never seen. Soon she was shaking. Mary was too shocked to react, run, or scream. She was momentarily stunned.

Then he spoke. “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:28 NKJV).

Mary’s whole body shuddered. She did not believe this was happening. Why would an angelic being come to her and speak such words? It was unbelievable. “Did he say highly favored and blessed among women? Me?”

What did these words mean? How was her life favored or highly blessed?

Her senses were overwhelmed with all she saw, heard, and felt in this moment. Her heart was racing, and her body trembled.

Then the angel not only told her to not fear but imparted peace to her. He declared with more than words, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30). Instantly, as these words swept from his mouth an instant, unimaginable peace pierced her whole being. Suddenly she was emboldened to hear with a clear head and her body no longer shook.

Without missing a second, the angel continued and spoke without a pause. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. / He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. / And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).

The teenage girl looked puzzled. She was not yet married, nor had she been with any man intimately. She asked the angel, “How can this happen? I have never been with a man in such a way!”

The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would descend upon her and the power of God would overshadow her. So, this child conceived within her and be born from her would be called the Son of God.

This powerful messenger from God also spoke about her relative Elizabeth. She was known to be barren and past the age of motherhood, but now was six months pregnant. This message surprised her but bolstered her faith. God can cause a virgin to conceive just as the barren. As he said, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

The simple virgin wore a homespun robe. She stood on a barren hillside of a lowly village. She had all the appearance of a servant girl. Yet, in this moment things began to change. She placed her trajectory with the great ones of the earth for all of time in the eyes of God. It began when with a humble and faithful heart, she declared, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

As Gabriel had completed his message and heard the faithful response, he departed as quickly as He came.

The virgin descended the hillside with a bundle of wood for the day and a purpose for eternity.

The foretelling of the Child to come has now been fulfilled. He came, He died, He rose again, and He ascended. The final chapter of the prophecy will soon unfold with the Messiah’s return to rule and reign. Come Lord Jesus, Come!

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt

Luke 1:26-38 NKJV
(26)  Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
(27)  to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
(28)  And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"
(29)  But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.
(30)  Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
(31)  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.
(32)  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
(33)  And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."
(34)  Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
(35)  And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
(36)  Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.
(37)  For with God nothing will be impossible."
(38)  Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.