Overshadowed (Luke 1:35-38)
Gary McManus, 12/10/2023Part of the Christmas series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
December 10, 2023 Luke 1:35-38
It is the Advent season. This is traditional season of preparation
in the church. . . .spiritual preparation.
While Americans are trimming the tree. . .Jesus followers are
trimming their WICKS for the light that Jesus brings.
(John 1:9, Matthew 25:7-8)
Four or five angel appearances in the birth reports of Jesus?
If you want to have a full gospel Christmas, you will have
to notice and look at the angels.
Mary is a faithful woman. We know the faithfulness of
Mary by Mary’s response to Gabirel’s announcement:
“Let it be.”
The Beatles No. 1 monster hit song!
Bible versions say it this variously, one:
“Behold [I am] the slave of the Lord. May it
be done to me according to your word”
We want to notice the angel Gabriel’s words. . .
the words to which Mary’s response is, “Let it be. . .”
Bible scholars point to the important Greek words
. . .the Holy Spirit shall “come upon you and
overshadow you. . .”, a description of the Holy Spirit’s
work.
Jesus is quoted using the same words in Acts 1:8.
[See Raymond Brown’s “The Birth of the Messiah”,
p.290]
“Overshadow” is the same word used when Jesus’
appearance is transfigured (Luke 9:34) and
in the Old Testament describing God’s presence in the
sanctuary.
Luke makes certain that we know “the holy one to be
born will be called the Son of God.”
What does this have to do with us?
Notice: none of these were a part of Mary’s wildest
dreams. And even if this plan was Mary’s plan,
Mary could not make this plan happen.
Mary has to look to a “power greater than herself.”
This is not an idea that is popular with most Americans.
Even in Philippians 4, Americans emphasize the words
“I” and “me”. “I do” with a strengthened me.
The verse is better understood:“I can do all the things
that God wants me to do in Christ who strengthens me
to do God’s will.”
Mary cannot give birth to the Son of God without her
being God’s will to give birth to the Son of God.
Mary can’t give birth to Jesus simply by being strengthened.
Mary’s not the exception. Mary is the rule.
The same power word that overcomes Mary overcomes the
disciples at Pentecost.
Many people no longer know the name of Albert
Schweizer. As an organist and preacher, Schweitzer felt
the call to become a missionary doctor.
Apparently, the only persons interested in the idea were
Albert Schweitzer and God!
After eight years of medical school in 1904, Schweitzer
went to equatorial Africa to literally start a hospital in the
jungle.
In the year 1952 Dr Albert Schweitzer was awarded
The Nobel Peace Prize.
. . .a power greater than himself. . .
Others said:
“The higher power can never be left out of the equation.”
And in “Invisible Heroes”; step five, prayer.
“Because it brings larger forces to come and assist with
healing. . .it can be a huge help, p. 333.
A power greater than ourselves. . .a baby born, God’s son,
to save the world out of God’s great love for us. Amen.
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