Articles
Nothing Is Impossible with God
Reading: Luke 1:1-38
The gospel of Luke begins by recounting the amazing proclamations of two births: John the baptizer (vv. 5-25) and Jesus Christ (26-38). The angel Gabriel was sent to Zechariah (John's father) and Mary (Jesus's mother) to proclaim this good news (v. 19).
While both these individuals questioned Gabriel’s message to each of them, it is evident the heart behind these questions was not the same. Zechariah struggles to believe because of his and Elizabeth’s advanced ages (18), and his voice is taken from him until John is born. Mary wonders how the good news could be true given that she was a virgin (34), but Gabriel assures her that it is a work of the Holy Spirit.
For us, it is only natural to have questions about God, His plans, and His will. How we handle these questions, and what we do with the uncertainty, makes all the difference. But we have all we need, from Luke’s account and the rest of inspired Scripture, to “have certainty concerning the things [we] have been taught” (4).
Did Mary fully understand the inner workings and big picture of what God had planned for her? Certainly not; but Gabriel assured her, “nothing will be impossible with God” (37). Her response, then, should be our own, even as we carry our questions: “Behold, I am a servant of the Lord” (38).
