Luke 1:26-38
A. INTRODUCTION
One of the facts of life is that we are constantly in the need to make plans. There are the big plans in life—one’s with long-term consequences, and one’s that require much thought—like: ‘Where we are going to live?’ ‘What sort of life style do we choose?’ ‘What sort of work are we going to do?’ and ‘Who will our companions be on the way?’ But there are also the small plans in life, like: ‘Where will we go out for the day, and how will we get there?’ ‘What will we get in the groceries this week?’ ‘Who will we visit?’ and ‘What shall I do next?
Now some people like to make the big plans in life, like buying houses or property or organising long extended holidays. But for most of us . . . Well for the most part we content ourselves in making only plans that are necessary for day-to-day living.
However, regardless of that, there is one thing that relates to all of us. And that is no matter what size our plans may be, we all want them to turn out well in practice.
Now, of course, we are not the only ones that make plans, God does too And about this time each year we tell a story, and it’s the story that reminds us of God’s plan. It’s also a story of how God put it into action. And, of course, how well it turned out in practice, is something that history can attest.
B. GOD’S PLAN
1. The Problem of Sin
Now at the heart of God’s plan was the need to come up with a solution to a problem. And the problem was that the people that he had created were not paying him his due. Some were ignoring him, treating him a though he didn’t exist; and some had replaced him, by finding other so-called ‘gods’ instead. And every one of his people, in some way, was not treating him as they should. Indeed, even the most faithful slipped up from time to time, preferring to go off and do their own thing, rather than content themselves with a healthy relationship with their creator.
But then, of course, God knew that was their choice. He had made his people with the freedom to choose—to choose him or to choose another way. However, he also knew what the consequences of their actions would be, and that unless he intervened not one (not even the most faithful) would inherit eternal life with him. And, as that was a main reason he had created mankind in the first place, he knew he had to come up with a solution to the problem himself.
2. The Solution to Sin (31b-33, 35)
And quite a solution he came up with too. He knew, that if he could find someone who had not broken their relationship with him—not even once—and if that person was sacrificed in the place of all those who had, he may not make the people he created perfect, but he could treat those who were faithful to him as though they were.
3. The Messiah “Formula”(31b-33, 35)
So, God came up with a formula, a formula that would ensure the faithful would inherit eternal life. He needed someone on earth who could make all this possible. He needed a Messiah: someone he could choose—someone who was perfect—who could accomplish all that he had in mind. Someone who, at the same time, could remind the unfaithful of the consequences of rejecting his solution. He needed someone who could be king over all the nations. And, he needed someone who would reflect, in everything that he did, that he, God, was the real agent behind this solution.
C. GOD’S PLAN IN ACTION
And having come up with the plan—like we do when we have a plan—he then put his plan into action. And thus begins the most astonishing story of human history: The Christmas story. Because in order for the Messiah to come into the world—to do what he had to do and to be sacrificed in our place—he had to be born, just like you or me.
And so, the more familiar part of the Christmas story begins.
1. The Choice of Mary (26-31a)
He chose a girl called Mary: a young unmarried girl, possibly of about twelve years of age (27); she was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph—a man not rich in himself, but he did have some famous ancestors; and, to Mary, God sent an angel, Gabriel (26), who greeted her (28) and told her that God had something very special in mind for her to do.
Well, you can imagine Mary’s response (29). If the presence of an angel wasn’t frightening enough, then being told that you’ve been picked out by God for a special task would have been very scary indeed. But the angel continued to reassure Mary that there was nothing to fear (30). This wasn’t a task she would have to do on her own. No! God had not only chosen her for the task, but he would with her every inch of the way.
And the task? Well, it was to bear a child—a son—and to name him Jesus (31).
2. What Kind of Messiah? (31b-33, 35)
Now this was not a difficult task in itself. Mary was already engaged to Joseph. And, at the end of the (normal) twelve-month engagement, she would have naturally married Joseph, and started having children anyway. But that, was some way down the track.
However, the angel continued, this wasn’t to be just any son, this was to be the Messiah—the one God had promised throughout history.
And to confirm the importance and magnitude of the role Mary was to play, the angel pronounced a number of names and titles the baby was to given.
‘Jesus’, the baby’s name—a common enough name of the day—but it had the meaning ‘The Lord Saves’ (31); the ‘Son of the Most High’—more than just a name, but a title indicating the true nature of the child (32), indicating his divinity and that, indeed, he literally would be the son of God; the ‘Son of David’—emphasising the father/son relationship, and indicating the baby’s connection with the royal line of David, pointing to his rightful accession to the throne (32), a throne to which the Messiah would reign in eternity (33); the ‘Holy One’—describing his being selected by God for a holy purpose (35); and the ‘Son of God’ (35)—lest there be no mistake, Jesus was going to be the true son of the living God himself.
In fact, what the angel described to Mary, was that Jesus was going to be the Messiah that God had planned and promised. A role no normal human being could fulfil. Indeed, it could only be done by God’s son himself.
3. Mary’s Response (34-38)
Well, you can imagine the enormity of the message the angel brought to Mary. And you can probably imagine her response. Because even though she was engaged—and would be getting married and having children at some stage—the immediacy of the angel’s message told her that Joseph was not to be the father. And the magnitude of who the baby was—and would become—would have played on her mind. As a consequence, although Mary may have been able to acknowledge that she had been chosen by God, she simply couldn’t see how it was all going to be possible (34).
However, lest she be in any doubt, the angel confirmed that this would not be Joseph’s child (35), and that, indeed, God’s powerful presence would rest on her. So that truly she would bear a child who would literally be the Son of God.
And without needing to ask for any confirmation of the angel’s words (36), the angel reminded her of how her cousin Elizabeth had been unable to have children. And yet, with the intervention of God, she too was expecting a baby (who we now know would become John the Baptist), because nothing was impossible with God (37).
And without any argument, and without any ifs, buts, or maybes, Mary responded by humbly accepting the will of God (38). And, as the saying goes, the rest is history. But then so too are the responses of Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men.
D. SUMMARY
So God had a plan that would resolve the problem that existed between himself and his creation. Indeed, he resolved to fix the problem—to restore the relationship with his people—so that eternal life for his people would be possible. He came up with the formula for a Messiah. Someone who could be born, who could live a perfect life, and then be sacrificed on behalf of us all.
And having come up with the plan, God then put the plan into action. He chose Mary to bring the Messiah into the world. He chose his son as the only person who was capable of could carrying out the task. And he received the willing support of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Wise Men, in all playing their part.
E. IMPLICATIONS
Now, sadly for many, this is where the Christmas story usually ends—with the birth of the baby Jesus. Except, of course, for the fact, that this is not the end of the Christmas story. Because the first Christmas, and the birth of Jesus, did not end the problem that God had with his people. For the birth (and death) of the Messiah allowed for people’s failings to be overlooked, but only in certain circumstances.
God’s part of the plan may have been completed in all its detail—even to the extent of (about 30 years later) the crucifixion of his son—giving us the opportunity to inherit eternal life. However, the real test of God’s plan is not whether we remember the details of the story, or even understand why it took place. No! The real test is what we have done with its implications.
After all, the people that God created, even today, are still not giving him his due. The empty spaces in churches everywhere attests to that. Indeed, many still ignore him and treat him a though he doesn’t exist. Furthermore, even today, many have replaced him, and found other so-called ‘gods’ instead. And, as the Bible tells us, none of us—not one—treat him as we should. Even the most faithful continue to slip up, and on a regular basis.
The crunch of God’s plan, then, is not in remembering the story. But rather, it’s whether we have accepted God’s solution to the problem of sin. In other words, whether we have indeed adopted his plan for ourselves.
Because unless we have accepted God’s solution, God’s plan . . . Unless we have accepted what Jesus, the Messiah has done for us . . . A restored relationship with God is not possible, despite everything he has done. Indeed, only if we accept God’s plan personally can our failings be overlooked and our relationship with God restored. And only is we accept God’s plan will we be able to enjoy eternal life with him. And that’s a very serious commitment that he need to make.
F. CONCLUSION
So, yes, in this world we all make plans. There are the big plans and there are the small plans. And one of the things we may all have in common at the moment is that we have plans for Christmas—plans that we hope will be fulfilled. Plans which include where we are going to be, who we are going to see, what we are going to eat and drink, and what we are going to give.
However those shouldn’t be our only plans this Christmas. Because what we should be planning is our response to our maker. Our response regarding our own mistakes and failings, where we put ourselves and others before God; our response regarding his plan to allow our mistakes and failings to be overlooked; and our response regarding the salvation story itself, with the birth of the Messiah.
God’s son, born to make it possible, so that we can enjoy a full relationship with our creator, and born that we might inherit eternal life. Remembering of course that God’s plan is only effective for those who accept God’s solution for themselves.
This should be our plan this Christmas! The need to accept God’s plan. A plan that goes beyond remembering a story. A plan that puts into action the acceptance of a restored relationship with God. And a plan that guarantees for all who believe—and all who believe only—eternal life with God.
Posted: 30th November 2023
© 2023, Brian A Curtis
www.brianacurtis.com.au
