Nobody from Nowhere

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:26-28). Last week, we met Zechariah in the holy place in the temple in the city of Jerusalem, the centre of Jewish religion and culture. Everybody who was anybody, eventually found their way to Jerusalem and its temple. Elizabeth and Zechariah were introduced with their pedigree, title upon title. That is where we expect good things to come from. That is the kind of place we expect God to go to announce his coming redemption. However, the initial visit of the angel Gabriel only introduced the herald of salvation, the one whom we know as John the Baptist. How can God improve on Zechariah and Elizabeth, both righteous and both descendants of Aaron? To which greater place can Gabriel go to announce the Saviour? The second part of Luke's story can hardly be more different. The contrast is extreme. Gabriel is now sent to the obscure village of Nazareth of Galilee. If ever there was a place that was no place, it was Nazareth. Isaiah had described it as a "land of deep darkness" and its people as "walking in darkness" (9:2). Zechariah was immediately named, and his status given, but not this second recipient of angelic visitation. This person is introduced as a virgin pledged to be married. Understand what this means, her parents have arranged for her to be married. She is in that between stage, between her father's house and her husband's house. We are not given her name until we have grasped that she is nobody from nowhere. A person without status. When she walks the dusty streets of Nazareth, nobody notices and no one of importance greets her. This humble setting of the Saviour's announcement reveals the nature of God's plan and the character of God's heart. God loves those who are humble in spirit, non-pretentious, willing to live outside the limelight. Even his Son, as the King of Israel, the Promised One of all time, is born of a humble, country maiden. This humility is an attitude that we as his children should possess. We rightfully expect great things from God and might anticipate that he will work through those we consider great. But God shows his greatness by working with anyone on the street who is willing to be used by him. Spiritual greatness is not a matter of social class, monetary clout, or degreed background. Spiritual value is a function of the heart. God's approach stands in contrast to the type of credentials our world looks for and honors. Externals count for little with him; other issues matter much more. When God's promises are ripe, they keep bursting into new fulfilments that no one can manage. She was nobody, this Mary. She was from the land of darkness–Nazareth of Galilee. She was Mary Nobody from Nowhere. Yet, the angel greets her, "Hello, favoured one, the Lord is with you." God's Son, the forever king, came to the world by the power of the Holy Spirit through Mary Nobody from Nowhere. God's Son still comes to the world by the power of the Holy Spirit through the church. He never calls us to greatness, rather to humility, gentleness, and patience, and to bearing with one another in love (cf. Ephesians 4:2). As is also written, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6). Though you walk in darkness, may you see the great light. Though you live in a land of deep shadows—may you see light! sunbursts of light! May God increase your life, expand your joy. May you be glad in his presence! May God give you the joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings (cf. Isaiah 9:2-3 MSG).