26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1: 26-38

Have you recently stopped and pondered the wonder of this passage… like really let the awe of having and angel appear to a young Mary and say what he said?! She would be with child, and not just any child, she would miraculously carry in her womb THE Messiah!!

And Mary’s response, “Behold, I am a servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

wow…

The Lord’s perfect plan is moving forward quickly now, the foundation placed hundreds of years before which lead to this ordained moment when Mary received the news of the greatest of expectations: she would give birth to the Son of God who would be called, Jesus for he will save the people from their sins.

And this baby? The Lord will give him the throne of his father David… this baby is the foretold King! The king whose kingdom was prophesied by Isaiah would reign over a kingdom that would have no end.

Can you imagine Mary hearing the angel speak those words?

And that kingdom? For all the prophets had spoken from the Lord… for all the long years of waiting… for all the prayers prayed… for all those in great expectation… still it was a Kingdom beyond earthly comprehension.

God’s people had a lot to learn about the true kingdom. God’s people still have a lot to learn.

So Jesus would teach us about this kingdom in parables. And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.” Luke 8:10

Kingdom that is….
…like a treasure hidden in a field.
…like a merchant in search of a pearl of great price.
…like a mustard seed.
…like a master giving his servants talents.
…like leaven hidden in flour.
…like a dragnet cast into the sea.

A Kingdom that looks by all contemporary wisdom to be upside down!
A Kingdom requiring repentance!
A Kingdom that is now at hand!

A Kingdom where one must come with faith like a child…

This Kingdom ushered in by the birth of a child…

Stop for a moment in awe as the magnitude of God’s plan comes into view… the Savior, the Messiah being born of a virgin, come to earth as a baby… to bring this Kingdom… do you feel the wonder of it all?!

~Jillene