26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
Six months go by and God visits earth again. This time He comes, scripture says, to "a virgin." God calls us who we are in His eyes, and that is who we REALLY are. God is Truth, He's always blatantly honest. Mary, her given name, actually means rebellion in its Hebrew origin, or bitter.* But...God knew her heart. This Mary was engages to Joseph, a man descended from David.
As soon as the angel Gabriel entered the Galilean village of Nazareth, he greeted Mary by acknowledging her beauty. He said, "You who are highly favored! The LORD is with you." The word favored here means graceful, charming, lovely, agreeable, to honor with blessing.** That's how God sees the one who is devoted to Him. Could there be any more thrilling or honorable compliment given?
But, Mary was shaken - thoroughly shaken - by such a greeting! She couldn't figure out what it meant. Had she ever seen an angel before let alone heard one speak? Was she embarrassed? Afraid? Shocked?
The Message translation reads (vs. 29-30), "She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you..."
Can you just imagine Mary's eyes wide open in expectation? Dropped jaw and breathless with anticipation! The God of the universe has a surprise for me? The New International Version's rendering "you have found favor with God" means you have found grace, that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, benefit, bounty, reward with God.*** That sounds like a surprise to me, doesn't it to you? The NLT says, "God has decided to bless you!"
When was the last time you were surprised by God? Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." The LORD's compassion, His favor, His grace, His mercy is a beautiful surprise every morning! If you are following Jesus with everything and the Holy Spirit lives in you, you are beautiful with God's beauty and He has a surprise for you today! He has something He wants to say to you today. Something special He wants to do "in" you.
Will you let Him?
*Hebrew Strong's #4805, **Greek Strong's #5487, ***Greek Strong's #5485
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