Gabriel visits Mary
As I was driving this week Robbie Williams’ classic song ‘Angels’ came on the air. I love it and joined with Robbie on the chorus singing loudly: ‘And through it all she offers me protection, a lot of love and affection...’
It got me thinking about angels in the Bible... Perhaps the most famous angel is Gabriel?
In this advent season I love to reflect on the Christmas Story, which Gabriel is part of! A bit of Bible trivia: Did you know that Gabriel is first mentioned in the Old Testament book of Daniel (chapter 8), some 500 years earlier?
Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him. They are powerful and function as God's messengers. The Bible says that people were petrified whenever they appeared. I don’t think they are quite like the angels in Mr Williams’ ballad!
God sent Gabriel to a young peasant teenage girl in Nazareth with a very important message...
“Don’t be afraid, Mary; God has shown you his grace. Listen! 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. The Lord God will give him the throne of King David, his ancestor. He will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
Mary was shocked and disturbed by the message since she had never slept with a man! The consequence of being pregnant and not married in the First Century was death by stoning. However, this young, single teenager somehow said ‘yes’ to God, and she trusted His plans and purposes and replied “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!” What a girl! What an awesome responsibility! What a faith fuelled response!
You and I may never be visited by angels, but I believe God speaks, and He does ask things of us. As we ponder the incredible Christmas story, think about Mary. She was faithful, trusting and obedient to God, despite what could have happened to her.
What is God asking of you this season? May you have the courage, faith and trust to say ‘yes’ to Him!
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader