The Kingdom is Coming
Lectionary Readings: 2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16; Luke 1: 46b-55; Romans 16: 25-27; Luke 1: 26-28
The word of God came to Nathan, the prophet: “Your house (David’s) and your kingdom will endure forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7: 16
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. Luke 1:32b-33
Elizabeth (Mary’s cousin) says: “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1: 45
The angel Gabriel visited Mary to give her the news that she would bear a son who would be great and be called the son of the Most High. Gabriel further explains that the ancestors of this special child include Abraham, Jacob, Jesse and David. Abraham was promised by other angels hundreds of years before, that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. David was promised by God through the prophet Nathan that his kingdom would endure, and his throne would be established forever. Mary’s acceptance of God’s plan for her as outlined through Gabriel fulfilled the promises God gave to the Old Testament patriarchs. Jesus birth, life and death fulfilled God’s mysterious majestic plan for our salvation.
God’s plans are revealed in a time and manner that are not always expected or easily understood. I marvel at Mary’s acceptance of the plan with only the brief glimpses of the plan given her by Gabriel. She was brave enough to ask: “How can this happen?’ But there were many more details of her future that remained hidden and details of her actual relationship with Jesus, her son, are not described in the Gospels. Yet she stepped forward to accept God’s plan. She was willing to let the plan unfold in God’s time. Her eventual acceptance was a miracle in itself.
Gabriel also told Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth was pregnant. Elizabeth had been barren, but Gabriel tells Mary that all things are possible with God. A key piece of these events occurs when Mary visits Elizabeth. (This part of the story is not included in the lectionary readings for this week, but it is in Luke-Chapter 1.) Elizabeth seems to know what Mary will reveal just by hearing her greeting as she enters. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaims: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear!...Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” After receiving Elizabeth’s affirmation, Mary is able to sing the wonderful words that we have come to call “The Magnificat”.
We find that Mary was still a little tentative about everything the angel had revealed, even though she had told him that she “was the Lord’s servant”, until Elizabeth fulfilled a part of God’s plan by encouraging Mary. Sometimes we are called to step forward ourselves—we are called to say yes to God’s plan. But other times, we are called to encourage others in their quest to follow God’s plan for them. Our calling may be to be an encourager or a safe place for others to express doubts and concerns. Elizabeth provided the encouragement Mary required to fully accept God’s plan.
This Advent season will certainly be unique. We are more separated by physical distance and will find it a little more difficult to complete our usual preparation routines. Are we complaining about our “lot in life” or are we listening for the voice of God and His guidance toward different or unexpected ways to serve?? And are we following God’s leading to offer encouragement, affirmation, or positive feedback to others who seek answers and direction??? How can we put into practice the role modeling of Mary and Elizabeth who were called and answered “Yes”?? We cannot know the future any better than Mary and Elizabeth could understand their future. However, we can rest assured that God is with us in the present and will continue into whatever the future holds. “Ready or not”, the King is coming, and His kingdom will be revealed!!!
Oh God of our past, present and future, we thank you for your unfailing love and guidance. Grant us your mercy in our failings and missteps. Help us to pay attention to your voice as you patiently reveal your plan for our lives. Lead us to understand and follow your guidance to love others and serve you as we are called. AMEN
Chyrl Budd
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