Special

Luke 1:26-29 (NIV)

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.

The virgin's name was Mary.

The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

As we continue to make our way through Luke, the story takes an abrupt turn.

So far, we've spent our time here in chapter one learning the stories of Elizabeth and Zachariah. Just as their stories have culminated in the amazing conception of John the Baptist, we move on to another, even more amazing story.

"...God sent the angel Gabriel...to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David..."

Of course, Mary really needs no introduction.

As readers of the Gospel, we almost certainly already know who she is and how her story will unfold. So did the first readers of Luke. As a matter of fact, at this point in the Gospel, we know much more about Mary than she does about herself.

"Greetings, you who are highly favored..."

And Mary was "greatly troubled" by the words.

You see, she didn't know herself to be "highly favored." Maybe she didn't even know that the "Lord is with (her)."

From all that we know historically, Mary was a plain, regular, seemingly typical girl. There was nothing outwardly special about her or her circumstances.

But God quantifies "special" in a different way.

Think of the long line of Biblical heroes that God chose: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel...Mary.

Regular people, chosen by God for extraordinary purposes.

This is the God we serve. It means that as we live this day...as faithful as we can be...we should keep eyes open and ears listening. This crazy God of ours just might consider one of us "most favored," and call on us to change the world...in the smallest or greatest of ways.

Prayer: You are a God that chooses the "plain" and makes us "special." Help us today to know that Mary's story speaks to our own. May her example of faithfulness inspire and change each of us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Luke 1:30-38