Mensa Otabil - A Simple Question
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The Christmas story, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, includes the visitation of the angel; now we’re going to look at Mary’s response. Luke chapter 1, verses 34 and 35: Then Mary said to the angel, «How can this be, since I do not know a man?» The angel answered and said to her, «The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.»
Mary received an assignment that was surprising; it seemed impossible. The angel told her, «You’re going to conceive and give birth to a child.» It seemed like a simple enough statement, but Mary had a deeper appreciation of that message. She didn’t see it as something that was going to happen in the far future; she saw it as something that was going to happen immediately. At that time, she was not married, so she asked a simple question-a curious question, not of unbelief, but curiosity to know how God was going to do all of these things.
So she asked the question, «How can this be?» Have you ever wondered how God is going to do what He says He will do in your life? When God says, «I’m going to bless you,» have you asked yourself, «How is God going to do it?» When God says, «You will be great,» have you ever wondered, «How is that going to happen?» You ask that question not because you doubt God, but because you are wondering what the process will be. How is this going to be? And that was Mary’s first response: «I hear you, angel; I hear you, Gabriel. I understand, but how is that going to happen?»
Then she tells us why she asked the question: " I don’t know a man.» In other words, «I’m not married, and I’m not supposed to have anything to do with a man until I get married.» From your message, I understand that this is going to happen right now, so how is it going to happen since I don’t know a man? Already in Mary’s mind, the miracle and its purpose have formed. She knows this is nothing ordinary; she knows this is extraordinary. She understands the implications of it and knows human biology to know that this is going to be a very tough task.
You know, many times God wants to do something for us, and we say, «Lord, I don’t know anybody; I don’t even have a helper. I don’t come from a great family; I don’t have relatives who can help me.» But God says, «I’m going to do it.» Even if you don’t know a man, don’t have any contacts, or don’t have the background that should naturally qualify you to do what you have to do, God can still perform His purposes in your life. That’s what the angel is telling Mary.
The angel then responds to Mary’s question; he doesn’t rebuke her. The reason he doesn’t rebuke her is that it’s not a question of doubt; it’s a question of curiosity, seeking to know God’s ways. The angel says, «The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.» These are delicate statements that talk about the awesome work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer-that He is able to overshadow us.
When a person overshadows you, it’s almost like they cover you and envelop you, taking you to the place He wants you to be. The Holy Spirit is going to envelop you, overshadow you, and cover you. When the Holy Spirit overshadows you, He takes over your weaknesses; He takes over the impossibility. He overrides all of that and still works out God’s purposes in your life.
We all desire that the Holy Spirit will overshadow us. We know our weaknesses, but we pray, «Overshadow us, cover us, so that what is considered impossible will be done in our lives.»
Let’s pray. Say with me: «Heavenly Father, You do not need a man in order to bless me. You alone are my help. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.»
Well, I’ll catch you again tomorrow. Pastor Mensa Otabil, shalom, peace, and life to you.