Angelic Encounter | 1 John 4:18, Luke 1:26-45

Today we’re going to study another story in the Bible where someone was told to not be afraid. “Be not afraid.” Aren’t those beautiful words? Join me now in Luke chapter one beginning in verse 26.

Special thanks to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, for bringing us the Bible For Busy People this Christmas season!

Show Notes:

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Transcription:

Do you remember when you were a child and maybe you had a nightmare or there was a thunderstorm and you would go running into your mom and dad’s room and that feeling you had? I remember squeezing between them so scared as the thunder rolled over our apartment, that feeling of knowing that you were safe because you were with them. That’s how you and I can feel every single day with Jesus. It’s why we don’t have to be afraid in this life. Whenever fear rises up in your heart, you can go to God, just like I ran to my parents in the middle of the thunderstorm or after the nightmare, and he’s right there because in his Word God says, “perfect love expels all fear”, and God is perfect love. Fear can’t live in the same place as God lives and he lives in you, if you’ve accepted the Lord Jesus as your savior.

Welcome to the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, your host, and today we’re going to study another story in the Bible where someone was told to not be afraid. Be not afraid. Aren’t those beautiful words, so join me now in Luke chapter one beginning in verse 26.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy,

And we’re going to find out who Elizabeth is in just a moment.

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! ”29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Now, imagine all of the things Mary must be thinking at this point, but listen to what she says. Verse 34.

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 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. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!

That’s the Elizabeth from the beginning of this passage.

People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.[d]”38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Think of those words that Mary said aloud, I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true. Those are brave words. Perhaps the Holy Spirit came upon her in those moments, right between, “But how can this happen like I’m a virgin?” and “I’m the Lord’s servant.” Maybe God comforted Mary knowing that she needed a little reassurance. Right? Okay, picking up the story now in verse 39,

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived.

That was Elizabeth’s husband by the way.

She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Oh my goodness, this is such a powerful story. You get the feeling, don’t you, that Mary and Elizabeth were close? They were cousins. Perhaps they had more of an aunt niece relationship. I have that relationship with a couple of my cousins. I know what that feels like, and perhaps it was so comforting to marry to know that she was in this with somebody who she really loved. Imagine her delight and surprise when she arrived at her cousin Elizabeth’s and saw that what the angel said was true that her cousin was with child, after desiring a child for so many years. The Bible says that Zechariah and Elizabeth were old, but God blessed them and perhaps all of this just worked together to comfort Mary’s heart. No one has ever been asked in this world, in the history of humankind, to do what Mary was asked to do. And she agreed so quickly, so beautifully, so faithfully, and of course I believe God knew that. That’s why he chose her, and he chooses you and he chooses me to carry Jesus into our circles of influence, just as Mary carried the Lord for nine months into this world. You and I carry good news in our hearts all the time. We know we know the truth that Jesus came because he knew we needed a Savior. That’s why he was born on that silent night. It’s why he grew up, lived a sinless life and died on that cross to pay for our sins to save us, and all we have to do is accept that free gift.

Christmas is the perfect time to do that. If you’ve never done it before,

[Pray:] “Jesus, I accept your free gift. I’m sorry for my sins. I know that you died to wash my sins away. I accept your love and forgiveness. I believe that you died for me, that you were buried, and on the third day you rose again. I believe that you defeated death hell in the grave and that you are preparing a place for me.”

If you believe these things, if you’re saying them with me, just like Elizabeth said to Mary, you are also blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said. The Lord said he would save you and set you free. He said,

The truth shall set you free.

And Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Come on home this Christmas, to the God who loves you, who says, don’t be afraid. I got you. I came to save you. Until next time, you are really loved.

Thank you for making space to study the Bible with me today. If you feel something stirring in your soul, that’s the God who made you, saying, I love you and I want to know you. It’s what Christmas is all about. Jesus came for you so that your soul would know its worth. He came to bring joy to the world, and to your world. It’s the most beautiful love story ever written, and it’s true. It’s the greatest rescue mission in history, and it was for you. If you want to respond to that stirring in your soul, to know Jesus a little better, please take a moment and check out our show notes, where you’ll find lots of hope and encouragement for your journey.

The Bible for Busy people is brought to you this Christmas season by Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. Every day and every night, their team is on a mission to share the good news with our neighbors who are homeless. Like the angels who came on the night, Jesus was born. They make sure that every person who walks through the doors of the Mission knows that there is hope because Jesus came, and how much He loves them. Every person they meet on the street encounters the love of Christ through a friendly smile, a warm blanket, a cup of cocoa, and an invitation to take that next step toward healing from addiction or mental illness. If you want to be part of making sure every soul knows its worth in Seattle this Christmas, volunteer or donate at ugm.org. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

This podcast is one branch of a Christmas tree called Purposely, a network designed to connect you with life-giving conversations, and to inspire you to find and live out God’s purpose for your life. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose.