12/2/10 Luke 1:26-28 The Favor of God

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.”

("The Anunciation" Edward Burne-Jones 1879)

Thoughts: The favor of God is the blessing of God which is the presence of God.  The greatest blessing for the Christian is not money, not fame, not the praise of others, not clothes, but the deep presence of God.  Mary experienced that presence in a way no one else has.  The presence of God overshadowed her.  She was simply a young virgin.  She was not famous.  Probably not well educated.  She did not have much.  But she had everything, and is the most famous woman ever.  She truly was highly favored.  We should seek that same favor of God- His presence- in our lives.

Prayer:  May I grow in your favor and an awareness of your presence, Lord. 

John Calvin abridged: The angel begins with an ascription to God's grace.  God had prepared her heart by grace with his goodness, so that His grace is enlarged.  Blessing is a proof of Divine kindness.