Advent Part 4- How Can This Happen?

Luke 1:34, 35 NLT

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, so the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

This is the fourth of nine videos of our Advent series and today we will focus on how Mary positioned her life to be in God’s will. The question we will ask is, how can I make sure that I am in God’s will?

Untouched by idols

Mary replied that she was a virgin, a woman who has never been with a man. A virgin is also symbolism for being chaste, untouched by idols. In other words, Mary made God her priority and lived a life in thought, word, and deed that was dedicated to Him alone.

Just like Mary, we are to make God our priority in thought, word, and deed. When we are open to God’s will for our lives, He empowers us so we can fulfill that purpose.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you

As a virgin, Mary didn’t understand how she could get pregnant at this very moment. Gabriel explains to Mary that Holy Spirit will “come upon” her. “Come upon” is defined as to descend, to superimpose and became one with her spirit (1).

This same phrase, “come upon” is used in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”. Jesus explained to the disciples not to be witnesses for Him until the Holy Spirit came upon, descended, and superimposed Himself upon them.

The power of the Most High will overshadow you

Then the power of the Holy Spirit “overshadowed” Mary. “Overshadow” means enveloping her with the glory of God, like a cloud, miraculously impregnating her (2).

This is the same word used in verse Acts 5:15 (parenthesis added). “As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall (overshadow) across some of them as he went by.” When the shadow that surrounded Peter would cast over the sick, they would be miraculously healed.

The baby is holy

Then Mary will give birth to a baby that will be holy. Holy means sacred, consecrated, and pure (3).

Baby is also symbolic of ministry, any position in which someone is in charge of nurturing and developing others. Ministry is not limited to the pulpit, but includes any outreach to others (i.e. non profits, volunteering, donations, etc…). It also includes careers that are dedicated to helping others such as law enforcement, the medical field, teachers, etc…

This is how to be in God’s will

God expects us to live a chaste life, free of idols. He must always be our first priority in thought, word, and deed. As we are open to His will for our lives, God sends the Holy Spirit to come upon us making us one in spirit and in purpose with Him. When the Holy Spirit descends on us, we will be enveloped in God’s glory and others will be helped and healed. This results in ministry that is birthed from the heart of God that is holy, sacred, consecrated, and pure.

Let’s pray:

Father,

I choose to live chaste by making You my first priority in thought, word and deed. Just like Mary, I give permission for Your Holy Spirit to come upon me so I am one is spirit and in purpose with You. I thank You for the Holy Spirit, Who overshadows me so I may help others who are hurting to be healed. I want to birth Your holy ministry for my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

References:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1904&t=KJV
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1982&t=KJV
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G40&t=KJV