Mary needed God’s grace for her impossible task. Obviously, a “virgin birth” is in the “impossible” category. But remember the other events the NT speaks of that involve Mary. Once she and Joseph thought they had lost their boy (Lk. 2:41-50). At the wedding in Cana, Mary released her “oldest son” for the work God had for Him (Jn. 2:1-11). Later, at Capernaum, she was with the rest of the family, seeking to speak with Jesus (Mt. 12:46-50). We’re not sure the fullness of this event, but we do know that His earthly brothers did not support Him in His work (Jn. 7:1-9). Mary was at the cross, where Jesus placed her in the care of John (John 19:25-27). All through His earthly life, what we are told of Mary is that Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart (Lk. 2:19). And the prophecy concerning her was that a sword will pierce through your own soul also (Lk. 2:35).
In addition, remember that Mary, like Zacharias and Elizabeth, and Simeon, and Anna, and almost certainly Joseph, was among those waiting for the Consolation of Israel (Lk. 2:25), those who looked for redemption (Lk. 2:38). Eve was among that group, first thinking Abel was that “Seed” and then thought or hoped that Seth was “another seed” (Gen. 4:25). But the generations began to roll, for several millennia. The story continues to unfold, adding to the glories of God’s glorious Savior, but with each additional chapter it becomes more and more “impossible.” He will be glorious, and yet will suffer death. He will be a King, and yet the Servant.
And now, Mary is silent while Gabriel makes his announcement:
you will conceive … bring forth a Son … Jesus/Joshua/Yeshua … the Son of the Highest … the throne of His father David … He will reign … of His kingdom there shall be no end.
Everything Gabriel said had OT roots. Those people, looking for redemption, could say, “Yes, that matches the description of God’s promises Savior.” Think about that! Mary did not question how a little baby could be all those things. A Son, “seed of the woman.” Son of the Highest, fulfillment of Abraham and Isaac on Moriah. King David’s greatest Son, fulfillment of the Davidic promise. These are amazing thoughts, but all anticipated if you trusted the OT record.
The thing that was impossible to Mary was the conception: How can this be since I do not know a man? She was already betrothed, or we might say “engaged,” to Joseph. Yet she asked, “how can this be?” Zacharias had asked Gabriel, “how shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years?” There were several OT stories to prove that age is no problem for God. So Zacharias was disciplined. But not Mary. Her situation was unique: “how can I conceive without a man?” Thus, Gabriel explained (v35), and Mary was given encouragement (v36), and the promise that with God nothing is impossible (v37). And she humbled herself, and opened the empty hand of faith: Let it be to me according to your word. Ah, yes, God gives grace to the humble!
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