Luke 1:37 NKJV "For with God nothing will be impossible."
When I think of the word “impossible”, it always brings me back to the story of Mary and her reaction to the angel Gabriel when he delivered a message that would change the course of her life.
Of course, we remember Gabriel’s role in delivering the message to Mary as well as the way Luke described Mary … “the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man… the virgin’s name was Mary.” The notable detail regarding Mary was not her age, nor her family heritage, not how smart she was, nor even how beautiful she was. No, the most notable detail about Mary was that she was a virgin about to be married. Gabriel had been sent by God to an extremely specific place to give a very special message to this wonderfully specific young woman of a plan that could only be possible with God.
Both surprised and puzzled by the presence of the angel, another reason Mary was being singled out was contained in Gabriel’s greeting, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you…” Gabriel declared it was because of the Lord’s favor upon her Mary was chosen to conceive and bring forth the Son of God. The next word out of Mary’s mouth was a question; not a question of doubt, but of true curiosity and begging an answer: “How can this be as I know not a man?”
Gabriel shares the miraculous plan of God to Mary revealing how the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of the Highest will overshadow her... a miracle so immediate and divinely complete. It is the same picture of the Holy Spirit hovering over the deep in Genesis 1:2. Then, Gabriel offers a sign, a miracle in her very own household. Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth barren and in old age, conceived a child and was now six months pregnant. In the life of Elizabeth, what man called impossible was not at all impossible with God!
How did Mary respond to Gabriel’s answer to her question? Mary affirmed to the angel, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Mary believed the impossible and made herself available to serve and fulfill the plan of God! Mary trusted God would work out the detail; and, in faith, she embraced the possibilities of God. Through Mary’s willingness and obedience, she gave birth to our Savior, Jesus Christ; and His Kingdom truly is without end.
How does this immaculate event relate to us? Of course, we are not being called upon for something so dramatic as giving birth to the Savior of the world; however, we are being called upon to trust God with our part of His plan to carry the Gospel to the world. What are the most notable details in our lives? Our availability as well as the favor of God on our lives. Also, this truth remains the same, God’s plan will require us to trust Him with the impossible. May we say like Mary, “Let it be to me according to your word.” When we cooperate with God, we will see the miracles of God taking place in our lives.