Why Mary?

The little town of Nazareth was remarkably unremarkable. Nazareth is in the Galilee (like being from Birdie). This was not Jerusalem, but a nowhere town that produced a nowhere people. That’s why Nathaniel says: 

John 1:45-46 (NLT) 

Philip [after meeting Jesus] went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. 

Why Mary...we don’t have much background about Mary, except she was a virgin girl from Nazareth who was engaged to be married to a carpenter named Joseph. More than likely, it was an arranged marriage, which was the custom of that day. Legally, under Jewish law, Mary was already Joseph’s wife even though they could not be together until the appointed time of their actual wedding. 

Like most young women, Mary was probably living in anxious anticipation of her wedding day with her young carpenter, Joseph. Then one day, in the midst of a normal, uneventful day...Her world and ours would be forever changed. Why Mary...do you know why? 

Luke 1:28-34 (NLT) 

Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 

Greetings, favored woman [God says Hi]...don’t be afraid...you have found favor with God. Why Mary...Do you know why...Her life had been noticed by God, her Creator. 

One thing is absolutely and prophetically clear...she had kept herself sexually pure...God knows such things. God notices such things...does this matter today? God favors such things. We aren’t given much detail of Mary’s life, but I can tell God noticed her heart and announced his response...I am with you! 

Don’t think so much right now of the eternal significance of this moment, but the temporary reality of her moment and this angelic announcement. God is going to make you pregnant! 

Fear, excitement, wedding plans changed into baby plans, and most of all... how will I explain this to my parents? How will I explain this to Joseph? Who is ever going to believe me? 

Mary was favored by God for a task that would open a way for each of us to be favored by God. Gabriel said, “The Lord is with you,” and as a result, the Lord is with us all. 

In that moment, God sent the ultimate Christmas gift not just to Mary, but to all of us...and it was Mary who delivered the package...literally. She delivered her package on that first Christmas Day. UPS...Unwrapped Perfect Savior. 

Why Mary...Do you know why...her life and the purity of that life found the favor of God. God notices such things! 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper 

Lead Minister