Lesson 3: The God Who Does Impossible Things (Luke 1:26-38)

Introducing Mary. She was an unlikely girl from an unlikely town who was in the same measure extraordinary in her Godward focus and acceptance of God’s plan for her life. The angel, Gabriel, God’s messenger first to Elizabeth and now to Mary is observed bringing an announcement of another baby to be born, one who would not merely be a very great child (as John was prophesied to be) but one who would come as “Son of the Most High” who would “reign over the house of Jacob forever.” Having received such a message, Mary showed herself to be one who thought through such startling news in both a theological and humble manner. She would, like us, be challenged to experience in a deeper way the reality that nothing is impossible with God. In discovering this God of the impossible, we find the following applications from this text: First, this is not a story about Mary. Next, this story is not about the arrival of a precious baby but the arrival of its king. Finally, we see that our response should not be, “oh, so cute,” but, “I want to be a part of this kingdom!”

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff