You're Gonna Do What?!

The following comes from Montrose Baptist Church's AM worship service on December 6, 2009.

I probably should not admit this, but I like the movie Top Gun. For years, I was convinced that I was going to be a fighter pilot, and I would imagine myself in the cockpit of a state of the art fighter jet.
I’m sure many of you, my age or older recall that movie. It stars Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Michael Ironside, Meg Ryan and many other notable movie stars.
During the movie, you may recall, that Maverick (Tom Cruise) endures a tragedy during a training mission. He flew through the jet wash of another plane, and because of a mishap in the ejection, Goose, his partner dies.
Previously in the movie, it was apparent that Maverick and Goose were in sync. They understood what the other person was thinking. And even when Goose didn’t necessarily agree, he seemed to be supportive of his pilot.
Following the death of Goose at the climax of the movie, Maverick is assigned a new co-pilot with the call sign “Merlin.”
Previously in dogfighting situations, Maverick would use rather extreme methods to reach an end. However, his new co-pilot was not accustomed to his practices as was Goose.
Perhaps one of my favorite quotes in the movie comes during a final hostile encounter with some enemy MIGs. During the dogfight, an enemy plane gets behind Maverick’s F-14 and the ensuing exchange between Merlin and Maverick goes: “Merlin: what are you doing? You’re slowing down, you’re slowing down!” “Maverick: I’m bringing him in closer Merlin.” “Merlin: You’re gonna do what?”
The idea of allowing the enemy pilot any closer seemed like a completely foreign idea. And the question burst forth: “You’re gonna do what?”
When we begin to consider the story of Christ’s birth, when we look specifically at our text this morning of the annunciation, I wonder at times if Mary battled the urge to inquire, “You’re gonna do what?”
When the angel came to deliver this amazing message that she had been chosen to deliver the coming Messiah, was she struck with disbelief? What the message so unexpected that it caused her to do a double-take?
I would ask you to join with me this morning as we read from Luke 1.

Read text. (Luke 1:26-38)

Now before we go any farther into the conversation between Mary and Gabriel, let me take a moment to properly introduce this young woman Mary. Luke does so at this point. This passage that we are reading is actually our first introduction to Mary. Some of our information that we can gather about her comes from this scripture. However, much of our information comes from a little more digging.
Mary’s age was never given in scripture. It had been assumed for a period of time that Joseph was well along in years. However, that has been rescinded and most tend to believe that Joseph was between 16 and 18. Mary was believed to be between 14 and 17. These ages are assumed because of the typical marital age for Jewish couples during this time.
Mary’s father’s name was Heli. If you continue to trace her ancestry, you will eventually find that it traces to Nathan, King David’s son. Mary was of the lineage of David. Scripture tells us plainly here that Joseph was of such lineage. However, we also find that she is of royal blood as well. We also find that she is cousin to John the Baptist’s mother.
We do not know a great deal about what her daily activities consisted of or her hobbies. Rather, most of the information that we gather from her comes from the typical norm for a Jewish woman. However, through scripture we have come to find that she was a model in the areas of tenderness, patience, faith, devotion, love, and humility. Mary was the hand-picked of God to carry the Savior of the world in her womb. Obviously, there was something special about this girl.
Scripture tells us that she was espoused to a man named Joseph. This would be comparable to saying that she was engaged. However, Jewish custom held that the engagement was as binding as actual marriage. By this point, Joseph’s representatives would have already met with Mary’s father and reached an agreement. Dowry money would have already changed hands. For all practical purposes, the wedding was a formal presentation of the agreement. However, even at this point, Joseph would not have been permitted to lay with her.
What we can gather about Mary’s identity is that she was a special girl, yet she was still ordinary. She was found faithful, but she was not supernatural.
Following our introduction to Mary, we note three things in this passage. First, we see…

1.) The Angel’s Proclamation of God’s Plan
“And coming in, he said to her, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you…Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.” – v. 28, 30-31
The angel identifies Mary and calls her “highly favored” and “blessed among women.” For Mary, this would have been a terrifying thought. She was being singled out for whatever reason for this great honor. Now, we gather that Mary is humble. Her humility would have cowered in the face of such an honor. She was having difficulty reasoning her selection.
Mary was just as human as you and I. Although some have sought to exalt her to a place of worship, Mary was flesh and blood as we are. She dealt with the realities of life. She felt emotions. Mary is one of us standing in the presence of one of God’s glorious messengers. What a humbling and terrifying experience that would be!
I am certain that given her understanding of her humanity, there were questions running through her mind. I believe that given the audience she was given, there was a certain twinge of fear about the message that would be delivered. She probably questioned much like we would whether the message would be favorable, or a warning.
Finally, the actual announcement is made. Mary is enlightened as to what her future holds. She was told that she would bring forth a son whose name was Jesus. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua. His name would mean Jehovah is salvation. Mary is informed that her son will be the Son of God. Her son will be the son of all sons.
Most parents tend to believe that the sun rises and sets on their children. Mary is told that her son will control those things.
Additionally, she is also assured that her son will be royalty. His kingdom will never end. Mary is probably considering that her son will be the first to ever hold the throne for eternity.
Mary is found as the recipient of God’s amazing plan.
As we look on the story and try to find its application for you and me, we must realize immediately that none of us are ever going to hear this precise message. Jesus has already been born. Prophesy has already been fulfilled. And God does not need a virgin for his Son to enter the world by any longer.
While we will never hear this exact proclamation from Gabriel, the reality of the Christian life is that there are times when God grants incredible disclosures to His people. There are times when God’s plan requires a great deal of faith and promises difficulty and trial in the process.
Just consider the ministries of God’s people through the years. For many of the prophets, they were instructed to serve as God’s mouthpiece despite the fact that they were assured the nations were not going to heed their warnings.
Look at Paul. Surely Paul understood that his return to Rome would ensure his arrest and persecution. Yet, his love for the people demanded that he return to minister to them. And because of his obedience, we have the prison epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon). Furthermore, Paul’s life was the price tag of this season of ministry.
God has a tendency to deliver messages to His people that encourages the statement, “You’re gonna do what?!”
Following the angel’s proclamation of God’s plan, Mary is given…

2.) The Angel’s Promise of God’s Power
“The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.’” – v. 35-36
Mary’s response of confusion is something that I would expect here. Mary is proclaiming her virginity. Her understanding is based on human knowledge. I would have to believe that we would have the same disbelief if we were presented with a similar message. Mary is stating her purity. It has already been identified, but Mary is making it solidified by her admission.
Mary is in a moment of confusion not understanding how this can be.
Yet the angel is attempting to put Mary at ease about her concerns. I believe that the reason that the angel gives details of what will happen is for both Mary’s instruction and comfort.
Mary is told that the power of the Spirit will come over her, and she will conceive. Unfortunately, the verse talking about the power of the Spirit coming upon her has been greatly misinterpreted by some denominations. There are groups that believe that Mary’s conception was the product of a physical relationship between God the Father and Mary. Let me tell you, that didn’t happen. Throughout the Bible there has been miracle upon miracle. Yet for some reason, when it comes to the Son of God there are those that refuse to believe in things beyond our own power. There has been far less debate about Jesus’ healings as there has been about his virgin birth. The true power of God and the fate of those that believe are held in the truth behind the virgin birth. Satan has recognized that undermining the virgin birth will cause the rest of the story to falter. Compromising the very foundations of something will cause it to crumble.
Furthermore, the angel tells Mary of her cousin Elisabeth. Mary would have known the history very well. She would have known of her age and the fact that she was barren. It was considered a curse in these times to be found unable to have children. However, I believe that the angel was simply trying to give illustration to the power of God. Gabriel is stating that if it is God’s plan, he has the power to make it happen. I also believe that the angel told her of this because it was a similar illustration as to how God has power over our bodies. The laws of nature do not apply to God.
I love this next verse. “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” It is amazing how his message always speaks to our need. In the time of Mary’s weakness and vulnerability, Gabriel gives the assurance of God’s providence. “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Mary’s pregnancy is not impossible. Elisabeth’s pregnancy is not impossible. Mary’s son being the Savior of the world is not impossible. Mary’s mission and call to be him mother is not impossible.
When Mary was presented with the plan of God, she was promised the power of God as well.
We must realize that while God makes similar demands of His people even today, He is still faithful to provide His power in those times. When God demands that we take incredible leaps of faith, He is ever present to give us the strength to make the jump.
When He has a plan, He opens the doors. We there is a need, He makes the provisions. God continues to reassure us that with Him all things are possible.
Mary is given insight into God’s plan. It is tempered by a promise of God’s power. And lastly, we find…

3.) The Appointed’s Pledge of Performance
“And Mary said, ‘Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.”
Contrary to the nature of an angel, we see a humbled heart. When we see the proclamation of an angel, I think that some of us envision a weak young man who speaks softly. However, angels are anything but weak. They may be messengers, but they bring a message of authority like none have ever heard. An angel brings message straight from the lips of the Father. There is no fluctuation or stuttering. This is a sure message that must be delivered with certainty and power.
We’ve heard the message. Now we catch a glimpse of this young woman that God has chosen. Her humble acceptance amazes me. After a message such as this it would have been foreseeable for her to be scared or proud. However, she answers with certainty and without hesitation. She answers softly referring to herself as a handmaid. She exalts herself to the level of a mere servant. It is not arrogance that is pouring out of her, but softness. She does not desire the glory but rather to see the working out of her God’s plan.
We may look at this and think of what a humble person she must be but we still have not dealt with the whole picture.
We see Mary’s humility in the face of certain danger. We all know the fact that she was a virgin. However, many of us fail to recognize the fact that unfaithfulness was punishable by death. If Mary was found to be with child before she was married or by someone other than her husband, she would be stoned. Mary was banking her very life on the power and provision of her Lord. In such a time, we do not see a girl who is confused or upset. Rather, we see a woman certain of what she must do and whom she serves.
I believe that Mary also understood the social ramifications of this decision as well. She would have known that prophesy said he would be called a Nazarene. Mary would have to live in her hometown and face those she knew. There is little more terrifying that having to face your own people when they have preconceived notions about your inappropriate behavior. Mary probably understood that there would be some that looked on her with disgust and loathing. She knew that her life would be scrutinized by those that she called neighbors. However, even with this understanding, she did not hesitate.
Like the example of Mary, when we are presented with the plan of God for our lives, we must make a decision that declares our unconditional obedience. Regardless of the danger we may face, we must answer His call with willingness and obedience.
I wish that I could abbreviate the process and simply tell each of you God’s plan for your life and service. However, I simply cannot. Yet, with that being said, I do want to encourage you not to underestimate God’s ability to use you. While you may believe that God will never demand anything extraordinary from you, I am confident that He longs to do more than you imagine.
So what are you willing to do? If God sent a messenger to you today to seek your surrender to his will, what would your answer be? Would you be found willing? Would your willingness be marked by its humility?
The fact is that our Savior has already lived his life on earth and paid our debt. Jesus will not be born of anyone of us in this building. However, his plan is still working. We still have opportunities on a daily basis to surrender to his plan. Are we? Are you?
This morning God may be calling you to something great. This may be the first time that you’ve heard him calling. He may be seeking to be Lord of your life. Regardless of your situation, God has a plan for your life, and he longs for your surrender. Will you humbly follow him today?