Weekly Message
BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED
The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"
(Luke 1:27b, 28)
As I travel the road of this Christian journey I am increasingly astounded that the Lord knows my name. After all, He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He took nothing, and created everything. He is all powerful; all knowing; and ever present. Yet He knows my name and where I am, as well as what my future holds. And of course He loves me. I know that He loves me because He sent His only begotten Son in the world as evidence of His love. I don't have the same testimony that Mary had, but I still feel blessed and highly favored.
In the passage above we find that the angel Gabriel has brought the message to Mary that she would be married and have a Son. Her Son would be great and would be called the Son of the Most High. Her Son would be given the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom would never end. The angel Gabriel told Mary that she was blessed and highly favored.
Some would argue that only Mary can be considered blessed and highly favored based on this Scripture. However, when I think of what God has done for me, I believe I must be considered blessed and highly favored as well. When He sent Jesus into this world to die for my sins, God was blessing me. When Jesus died on Calvary for my sins, He was blessing me. Because I am saved and sanctified by the blood of Jesus, and Jesus knows my name, I am blessed and highly favored.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas, don't underestimate the importance of what Jesus has done for us. It is true that we may have some trials and tribulations in our lives. Perhaps we are depressed because we don't have the money we would like to have. Maybe we are frustrated because of our health not being what it used to be. But regardless of what you are going through, we can still rejoice because we truly are "blessed and highly favored." For that reason alone, this is going to be a very "Merry Christmas!"
