Mary and the upside-down kingdom Something seismic is about to happen…and it will involve Mary. Luke 1:26-27: 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.

Mary and the upside-down Kingdom Earthly power and status (listed greatest to least) Herod (1:5a) Zechariah and Elizabeth (1:5b) Mary (and Joseph) (1:27)

Mary and the upside-down Kingdom Role in God’s coming kingdom (listed least to greatest) Mary (and Joseph) (1:27) Zechariah and Elizabeth (1:5b) Herod (1:5a)

Mary and the upside-down Kingdom “God has given his favor to one who had no claim to worthy status, raised her up from a position of lowliness, and has chosen her to have a central role in salvation history,” (Joel Green, Commentary on Luke).

Divine favor has a purpose beyond mary Luke 1:28-: 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”

Divine favor has a purpose beyond mary The nature of favor in OT: Joseph: saved Egypt from famine and his family too Moses: rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt Esther: saved Israel from massacre by pagan king

Divine favor has a purpose beyond mary Luke 1:29-33: 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.”

Salvation is god’s work alone Luke 1:34: 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:35: 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.”

Salvation is god’s work alone Genesis 2 – God alone creates while Adam sleeps Genesis 2:20-22: 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.

Salvation is god’s work alone Genesis 15 – God alone promises redemption while Abraham is in a dark sleep

Salvation is god’s work alone Genesis 15 – God alone promises redemption while Abraham is in a dark sleep Genesis 15:9-10: 9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half.

Salvation is god’s work alone Genesis 15 – God alone promises redemption while Abraham is in a dark sleep Genesis 15:12: 12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. Genesis 15:17: 17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 

Salvation is god’s work alone Luke 1 – God will fulfill his redemptive promise to Abraham while Mary is overshadowed Luke 1:35: 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.”

Salvation is god’s work alone Luke 1 – while God caused woman to come from the first man while he was asleep…now, God will cause the NEW ADAM to come out of woman while she is overshadowed!

Christmas is a time to remember God’s faithfulness to his promises. A few applications Christmas is a time to remember God’s faithfulness to his promises.

A few applications Christmas is a time to remember God’s faithfulness to his promises. Christmas is a time to celebrate God’s grace!