“Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” - Luke 1:30
Dear believers in Christ, baptized of God,
You are highly favored. The Lord is with you. Fear not, for you have found favor and grace with God. The Savior of the world is born, and that must mean He is born for you and for me. His grace is for you and for me. He is born to take our sins away, to grant us the forgiveness of sins, hope in the promise of life everlasting, comfort, peace, and joy in believing. May it be unto us according to His Word.
And can’t we just hear the world saying, “Impossible! That cannot be. A virgin giving birth? God forgiving all our sins, even the sins of the whole world? Impossible.”
And according to human strength, abilites, standards, philosophies – according to human understanding, and human reasoning, it is impossible. But not with God. “With God nothing shall be impossible.”
May these words continue to speak to our hearts. May these words continue to be for the strengthening our faith. “With God nothing shall be impossible.” How can the simple Word of God do anything for us, let alone save an eternal soul? How can Baptism and the Lord’s Supper do anything for us, or be of any spiritual significance? How can they wash sins away, and strengthen faith? With God, nothing shall be impossible. And so may it be unto us according to His Word.
There are certain things in nature that might seem to at least be close to impossible, at first. Studies have shown that there are more connections in 1 human brain than there are stars in the entire universe. Over 100 trillion connections in 1 human brain. Furthermore, the lining in our stomach is completely dissolved by our own stomach acid, twice in 1 week. The lining is completely reborn twice a week. There are many other remarkable facts concerning the human body alone, a heart that never stops beating, cells that never stop dividing, our whole lifetime.
As truly amazing as these gifts of God are, still, we wouldn’t classify them as impossible. We are living proof that they are possible.
But then there is the truly impossible. A man walks on water. He heals the sick. He feeds 5000 out of very little. He stills the storm, just by speaking the Word. And this same being created the entire Universe also, by just saying the Word.
Jesus probably grew pretty accustomed to hearing those words in people’s hearts, (as Jesus could read hearts). “How can that be? That’s impossible.” But with God nothing shall be impossible, and Jesus is God.
And so may His words continue to work in our hearts. Jesus, the Savior of the world, is born. And He was not only born in a manger, but He continues to be born in our hearts, by the power of His Word and Spirit.
The wisdom of world will continue to say, “Impossible.” But God doesn’t operate by the world’s opinions.
Earlier in Luke chapter 1, we see that an elderly couple, Zacharias and Elizabeth, were past the natural child bearing age. Yet, God promised she would bare a son. And Zacharias surely said it in his heart, “That’s impossible. It cannot be. We’re too old. We cannot possibly conceive and give birth to a child.” But 9 months later, the promise was fulfilled. “Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.” Scripture says her family and friends “rejoiced with her.” The Lord had showed such great mercy toward her. But that was just the beginning.
6 months after Elizabeth conceives, a virgin also conceives. “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” “Impossible” the world says. “Impossible.” Again, our King cares little for earthly opinion. He cares little for human reasoning. He grants peace and faith that passes all human understanding.
How is it possible that God, through this tiny, little baby, can reconcile the entire world unto Himself, so that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlating life? With God, nothing is impossible.
And how is it possible that He can establishes His eternal kingdom within our sinful human hearts? “Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
How is it possible? The Holy Ghost comes upon us. His power overshadows us. For I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him, but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel.
And “Of His kingdom there shall be no end.” The kingdom that begins in your heart and mine, through simple faith in the Savior. And since Jesus lives, and has conquered the grave for us, we too will live forever. For with God, nothing shall be impossible.
“Hail”, meaning, rejoice greatly. You are highly favored by God. God is with you. Fear not, for you have found favor and grace with God. And may it be unto us according to His Word. For with God, nothing shall be impossible. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
