This Changes EverythingSample

ENTHRONED

Imagine for a second you were Mary before she was pregnant with Jesus. Then, a messenger of Yahweh shows up to speak with you. More than that, to let you know that you’re going to bring the Messiah –the promised King & Saviour of God into the world, whose reign will never end.

I don’t know about you, but when I read this passage, etched in black & white upon the pages of my bible, I struggle to fully appreciate the magnitude of what is being asked of Mary here. It took me a moment or two to remember and comprehend exactly what is happening. It really is magnificent. (Maybe that’s the reason why Luke includes the song Mary composed to help her understand exactly what has just transpired, just a few verses later).

The gravity of what is revealed here is enormous, and since its disclosure, the world truly has never been the same. Jesus will come. The Son of the Most High will be born. What for? To sit upon a throne. Who’s throne? The Throne of David. Fulfilling not only God’s promise to David in 2 Sam 7:11-16, but also foreshadowing the plan of God. To install Yahweh’s firstborn, as the most exalted King on earth. To restore a disrupted and groaning creation. To minister to the broken-hearted and to bring hope to the hopeless. To create afresh, a single people –subjects in the kingdom of Heaven. A kingdom defined by humility, power, and peace; of which there will be no end.

All of this, crammed into three short verses by Luke! I found these verses to be such an incredible encouragement. To slow down and look for the golden nuggets that are lying in wait, ready to be beautifully illuminated by the Holy Spirit. In order that we may be reminded how we are not forgotten, but that God has always had a plan –and that plan did indeed changes everything.

"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” - Luke 1:32-33

Prayer Point: Holy Spirit, help us to slow down in the scriptures. As we proceed throughout this devotion may you be close by. Helping us behold the magnificent scope of your plan for our salvation and to realise the magnitude of the glorious story of Jesus’ kingdom and kingship. May we experience your grace and mercy as we reorient our lives toward you and set our faces like flint, in the pursuit of obedience of Christ our loving king. Amen.