THE RESPONSE OF MARY AND ELIZABETH TO GABRIEL’S NEWS.

Luke 1:26-56

Q.1. To which tribe did Mary and Joseph belong? Where did they live? Why was Mary surprised by Gabriel’s greeting? – (Lk.1:26-30) = Though Joseph and Mary belonged to the tribe of Judah, they lived in the town of Nazareth, a long distance from King David’s birthplace in Bethlehem of Judah (Lk.1:26-27 c.f. 1 Sam.16:1; Lk.2:4). Gabriel, who had visited Zacharias six months previously, addressed Mary as – favoured one! The Lord is with you (Lk.1:28). Mary, being young, inexperienced, and humble – was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was (Lk.1:29). She was hardly expecting that she would be singled out for a special visit from the angel.
Q.2. What news was Mary given? How significant would be her Son? How was the virgin birth explained to Mary? – (Lk.1:31-38) = The information from Gabriel was even more stunning – 31 behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall 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 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end (Lk.1:31-33). Her child would be a son. He would be Son of God. He would inherit the Throne of David. His kingdom would never end. Perhaps Mary’s greatest amazement came from the fact that she was a virgin – How can this be since I am a virgin (Lk.1:34 c.f. Mt.1:18-25; Lk.1:27). Gabriel explained how this mystery would unfold – … The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most-High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God (Lk.1:35). Though impossible with human beings – nothing will be impossible with God (Lk.1:37). Nevertheless, this needed Mary’s consent, which she willingly gave – Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; May it be done to me according to your word (Lk.1:38).
Q.3. How did Elizabeth explain her baby’s reaction to Mary? What did Elizabeth understand by these events? – (Lk.1:39-45) = To bolster her confidence, Gabriel had told Mary about her cousin Elizabeth’s miraculous conception (Lk.1:36). Mary took the long journey to visit Elizabeth in Judah. Upon arrival – when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk.1:41). She cried out – 42 … Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord (Lk.1:42-45). Elizabeth confirmed that Mary’s Son was none other than her Lord, and that Mary had honoured God by believing His promises.
Q.4. What did Mary understand by God’s choice of her? How did she apply the Scriptures to her circumstances? – (Lk.1:46-56) = Mary now understood that she was God’s chosen vessel to bear the Saviour, and that – … from this time on all generations will count me blessed (Lk.1:48 c.f. Lk.1:47-49). She also saw what was happening, to be a fulfillment of God’s promises to His people – 49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is His name. 50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him … 54 “He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever (Lk.1:49-50 & 54-55). Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Mary documented her insights in a poem of praise to the Lord.