Introduction:

Eighteen centuries ago a young scholar of philosophy from the Roman colony near ancient Samaria was taking a solitary walk along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Thirsting after truth as the one great possession, he had drawn water out of every well of learning and philosophy, only to thirst again. He had gone the roads of the Stoics, the Platonists, the Peripatetics, the Pythagoreans, and yet had not come to satisfaction and peace.

But on this morning walk by the seaside he met a venerable Christian. They engaged in a conversation, and that conversation changed the course of Justin Martyr's life. The unknown friend showed him how the philosophers reasoned about the truth, where as the Hebrew prophets spoke of truth as men who had been witnesses. He pointed out to him how the prophets had foretold the coming of Christ, and how their predictions were fulfilled in his life and work.

Taking the old man's advice, Justin commenced the study of the Old Testament prophesies and their confirmation in the Gospels. This convinced him of the truth of Christianity, and he became a Christian and one of the greatest defenders of its truth and most heroic of its martyrs.

Hundreds of years prior to Justin Martyr's life changing encounter with Jesus Christ, Isaiah and other prophets had foretold the birth of Christ. As some of these prophesies are soon to take place, an angel named Gabriel was sent from God to tell a young virgin woman named Mary what is to happen in the near future.

This prophesy is the focus of our attention as we consider the characteristics of it.

I. Favor

Recall the words of Gabriel to Mary, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." Then the angel repeated, "... you have found favor with God."

Can you imagine what your response might possibly be if an angel appeared to you and spoke directly to you? While she was probably startled, he probably helped put her somewhat more at ease when he addressed her as the favored one.

What do you think it means to have found favor with God? The word here in the Greek is Charis, usually translated as grace. Grace actually implies more than favor. Grace is a free gift, while favor may be deserved or gained. So while Mary was endued with God's grace, the implication in this context here is that she has met God's approval and God has graced and chosen her for a special responsibility.

We ought also to live Godly lives that find favor with our Lord. He may approve of us and give us various responsibilities as a result, but the task of becoming the mother of Jesus was reserved for Mary alone. In the midst of this awesome challenge, Mary needed fearlessness.

II. Fearlessness

Having been greeted by Gabriel as the favored one, this young woman was greatly troubled at this statement and thought deeply about the significance of this salutation, apparently prior to the news that she would conceive in her womb and bear a son named Jesus.

At least from a human perspective, we might assume that Mary could have had some apprehension, maybe even a little fear. It seems that Gabriel anticipates such a response under these unusual circumstances, especially as he goes on to share the details. Before the details he said, "Do not fear, Mary," "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."

I think that when outward circumstances would likely elicit a response of fear, that our sensitive Lord sends the message, "Do not be afraid." Like Mary, you and I need to hear these words. Without God our circumstances may bring cause to fear. With God beside us, such a prophesy may be characterized by fearlessness.

Thirdly, this prophesy was characterized by a message of forever.

III. Forever

Yes, the angel foretold Mary herself of the miraculous virgin birth, but this event would have implications for succeeding generations because Jesus' kingdom would have no end.

Jesus, the Son to be born of Mary, was to be great. Not only was He humanly to be her son, but divinely the Son of God, the Most High. Unlike the reign of His forefather King David, Jesus' reign would be forever. What a wonderful prophesy.

Characteristic of ALL of GOD'S prophesies, this one was factual.

IV. Factual

This was not a pipe dream of Mary! This was not some fairy tail that Gabriel composed and delivered to Mary and later to Joseph! This was a FACTUAL, true, dependable message of God, given to Gabriel to speak to Mary.

As amazing as it may sound to us, this tremendous prophesy was true and factual. We can always depend on God to keep His Word, because He Himself is truth.

Read v. 31-37.

Favor, fearlessness, forever, and factual characterize this prophesy. Now, finally, consider that this prophesy is faithful.

V. Faithful

Faithful also characterizes Mary's response to this angelic prophesy.
She yielded, she surrendered to the will of the Lord, even though she probably had many, many, unanswered questions in her mind when she said, "Behold the bond slave of the Lord: be it done to me according to your word."

Yes, this prophesy of Jesus' birth was specifically given to Mary, but the fulfillment has implications and presents a challenge for us.

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